Mother and military psychologist at the front lines: a Ukrainian family’s unyielding fight

Fomenko, with several years of experience working at the Chernivtsi Regional Psychiatric Hospital under her belt, began to see a rise in patients - Ukrainian soldiers grappling with war trauma - following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. This prompted her decision to delve into this field and become a military psychologist, she told.

As stated in the article on Ukrayina.pl, Fomenko expressed her desire back in 2015, to join one of the brigades and provide her psychological expertise at the front. However, she was held back by her then eleven-year-old son, Volodymyr, and ten-year-old son, Christian.

All changed seven years later, following Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022. She knew she was ready for the front this time. Her younger son quickly joined her. Straight away he said, "I'll be with you in five minutes," and so they set off together, as she disclosed to suspilne.media.

Upon her arrival at the unit, Fomenko found the position of psychologist already filled. However, there was a vacancy for a shooter. Unfamiliar with handling a gun, she decided to undergo the necessary training.

As of August of the previous year, Fomenko works as a psychologist in addition to her role as shooter. She gives lectures to the soldiers, offering advice on combatting insomnia and managing stress, along with facilitating group sessions to boost stress resilience and mediate conflicts. Soldiers from other companies also seek her counsel.

"We've been together daily for the last seven months, which has really built up trust. Nearly everyone who knows me approaches me to discuss things they can't share with their mates," says Fomenko.

She points out the importance of earning the soldiers' faith, given many have faced disappointment with previous psychologists. "To gain their trust, you need to be one of them, and then work with them," she stresses.

Her sons are both members of the military now. Christian serves in Fomenko's battalion as a shooter while also being trained as a drone pilot. Volodymyr, stationed elsewhere, works as a company medic. Consumed by anger for the choices her sons have been forced to make, Fomenko is even more driven to make a difference. She tells suspilne.media, "These two successful young men, who could be out there studying and living peaceful lives, are now having to wield machine guns. The anger fueling me is making me more effective."