Growing Up in Wartime Ukraine: Veronika's Story

Veronika, a 16-year-old student from Zlatopil in Kharkiv Oblast, northeastern Ukraine, describes how the death of her father, a paramedic, during the Ukraine war led to a shift in her career plans, from musician to medical professional.  "Something woke up in me, like, I have to carry on what he wanted to start," Veronika says. "It just clicked for me, the whole idea of helping people, making life better, and basically trying to save the world." This video is one of a series made by UNICEF in 2026 exploring the effects of war in Ukraine on young people and their families.  Subscribe to UNICEF USA's YouTube Channel for the latest updates. To learn more about UNICEF and UNICEF USA, visit: https://www.unicefusa.org Read our stories about UNICEF in action: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories Follow UNICEF USA here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicefusa Twitter: https://twitter.com/UNICEFUSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNICEF-USA