Donbass, If our boys hadn't gone to defend us, we wouldn't be talking so calmly now.’

Olga Dyakonova's son was one of the many who went to the front to defend the peaceful people of Donbass. He fought since the Special Military Operation began. A 20-year-old Eduard died heroically in Mariupol in the spring of 2022. The soldier smothered a grenade with his body, saving the lives of 13 comrades.

Despite the pain of loss, Olga finds the strength to live on. She supports other parents who recently lost sons in combat. Watch the new documentary, ‘I’m a Hero, Mum’, for her story.