My son was Kharchenko Evheniy Borysovych. Nickname “Red”.
Born February 1, 1987. Killed August 29, 2014.
He was always first, he fought for justice. It wasn’t always easy for us, and we didn’t always enjoy it.
There was always a hit of restlessness, he couldn’t ignore things. He was very righteous, very righteous…
And as my husband said: “You can’t put him in house slippers or tie him to the heater.” But I wanted to.
He came home from work. When events were unfolding in the Crimea he was a student.
We were watching the tv. He stood in front of the tv and said: “Why?” and I felt like something slammed inside.
I understood everything, and started to cry. He said: “You don’t understand me. Don’t cry and don’t speak. This is my decision.”
And not turning his head he said: “Mom, I leave today.”
I start not only crying but wailing, like a dog, and start falling off the rear seat. He continues to sit and doesn’t even turn his head.
He just said: “Mom, don’t worry, I’ll be back.”
We never fully accepted his decision. We simply supported him. I accepted his position, as a mother.
It was the 24th. I knew Zhenya was to go out on rotation. Mom, are you at the parade. Zhenya, what parade are you talking about?
I packed my bag, I was ready to go. I said to them: “Guys, I’m leaving, you’ve got stuff to take care of…it’s not important.” He said: “Why are you going to go? We’re already leaving for Kyiv, we’ll miss each other.”
Dad, we’re going home. You know what, paint the gate, so that when I get home the gate is painted.
They drove Zhenya from Dnipro, while we painted the gate.
If only there wasn’t that corridor, he’d be alive. Of course he’d be alive. Because he was prepared. He was a soldier.
I believed 100% that he could get out of anything. He could get out of any situation.
Anton asked him to come out. You’re in reconnaissance, leave. He said: “I won’t leave anyone here. I won’t be able to live with myself.”
When he was laid out, people came. They looked at me and said: “Aunt Natasha, why did you let him go?” I said: “How could you ask me such a question when you knew Zhenya?”
I let him go, so that you could stand here…