Olena Jahupova recounts her traumatic experience of being unable to escape from Kamjanka-Dniprovsk, Ukraine, due to her loyalty to her family dog. After enduring months of torture and imprisonment, she was filmed by Russian propagandists and subsequently forced into labor for the Russian military, specifically to dig trenches. Jahupova notes that very few Ukrainians who are subjected to forced labor return alive, but she defied the odds and managed to survive, eventually helping to identify six war criminals who are now facing charges.

The occupation of Kamjanka-Dniprovsk by the Russian army began on February 27, 2022, and Jahupova describes this takeover as swift and quiet, noting that tank columns entered the town without any shots being fired. The rapid and silent nature of the occupation caught many residents off guard, allowing the Russian forces to establish their control quickly. Jahupova highlights that, almost immediately, the occupiers began to set up their own governance structures, including a police force, while some locals chose to collaborate with the new authorities to better their situation.

This personal account sheds light on the broader implications of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, particularly the human rights abuses occurring in occupied territories. Jahupova's story is emblematic of the many individuals who have suffered under oppressive regimes during conflicts. Her determination to survive and her courage in identifying perpetrators underline the importance of documenting war crimes and the resilience of those affected by such atrocities.