Khimion had been practicing dance since the age of six, had been a member of the international dance jury, and taught children dance in her studio. But the morning of February 24th changed everything: from that moment on, Tetiana realized that she could no longer continue dancing and had to join the Armed Forces.
As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, a Ukrainian woman recounts her decision to join the military. Until February 22, 2024, she worked as a choreographer, but now she is a sniper on the battlefield. The morning of February 24, 2022 changed everything for Tetiana Khimion. As the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began, she joined the Armed Forces, moving through various units before eventually becoming a sniper, leaving behind her profession as a choreographer.
Tetiana Khimion, a 47-year-old mother of two, was working as a dance teacher in Sloviansk, Donetsk Region, when Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine. However, the invasion forced her to abandon her dancing career and later joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces. There, she chose to train as a sniper, saying she wanted to be directly involved in the fighting, seeing it as a role that also required a certain degree of creativity.
“When we would walk with the kids in the park, I would sometimes shoot at a small shooting range there. I could hit targets and even win small prizes. So I thought ‘maybe I can do this’. Sniper shooting is actually a very creative profession and I am a creative person. I need to express myself. At the same time, it is very mathematical and I love math. I studied physics and math at university, so I really liked this combination of precision and creativity,” Khimion said.
Khimion had been dancing since she was six years old, had been a member of the international dance jury, and taught children to dance in her studio. But the morning of February 24th changed everything: from that moment on, Tetiana realized that she could no longer continue dancing and had to join the Armed Forces. She began training in Europe and moved between several units before eventually landing a combat position as a sniper.
In August 2023, she became known as the sniper in the 78th Air Assault Regiment, with a short-range sniper rifle that provides cover for strike groups during combat missions. She says she performs every task calmly and without unnecessary emotions, relying on her years of working with children and the sense of discipline instilled in her by sports. However, she admits that the constant fighting has changed her. “I have become a completely different person. I feel like I have already experienced all my best emotions, sensations and moments. Not because I don’t want to live anymore. I want to continue living. I want to go to the mountains, swim in the ocean. But I understand that I will not be able to feel emotions like I used to, because I have already experienced the strongest ones,” Khimion declared.
The war in Ukraine enters its fifth year on Tuesday, with hopes for peace still dim. (Associated Press)