Ukrainian woman who became famous with a photo curses the USA

Meeting with the AA reporter who took the photo that made headlines in the international press in the first days of the war in the Chuhuiv district of Ukraine, Kurilo told about his adventure after being injured in the Russian attack, the war and the support of the international community, 3 years later.

Kurilo, who shared his experiences after speaking to AA in February last year, said that he had dental implants in Poland and returned to Ukraine more than a year ago.

Noting that he found Poland, where he lived for a while, safe and that he could sleep without worrying about his life, Kurilo expressed that he missed his homeland and house.

Noting that he has returned to Chuhuiv, Kurilo said that his vision is still less than 30 percent and that he may need another operation due to the incorrect installation of dental implants.

Kurilo said that it would be difficult to cover the cost of this operation as he has been unemployed for the last three years.

"These are the situations with my physical health. Being unemployed and penniless is very complicated for me, but I need to find a way out of this situation," Kurilo said.

Explaining that he has gotten used to everything psychologically, Kurilo said, "Every night I see war, explosions and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in my dreams and I cannot do anything about them."

Noting that the renovation of his apartment, which was damaged in the war, is still ongoing, Kurilo said that the financial support provided for the renovation in the first stage is no longer sufficient due to inflation.

Kurilo, who stated that he needed more money, said that he was currently living in a summer house near Chuhuiv, that he had not left there for over 1.5 years, and that he wanted to return home by April.

"It was very sad that our partners did not keep their promises," Kurilo said, arguing that Ukraine does not have enough resources to properly defend itself and counter-attack due to a lack of military personnel and the decline in support from other countries. "I think if we had everything that was promised to us, if we had aircraft and other weapons, the war would have gone in a different direction and the situation would not have been as bad as it is now."

Describing the shifting of the front line to Vovchansk in Chuhuiv as very frightening, Kurilo stressed that he has hope that Ukraine will continue to stand firm.

"Because the truth is on our side and we are fighting for our land, I hope to win," Kurilo said.

Regarding the fact that his photo, taken in February 2022, became the subject of numerous articles and photographs after its widespread use in mass media, Kurilo stated that the fame he gained did not make him happy at all.

Noting that he took part in many interviews during the first two years, Kurilo said that since he returned to his country, Ukrainian journalists have tried to contact him, but he has difficulty responding to everyone due to his lack of emotional energy.

Noting that she was not happy about the events in Ukraine, Kurilo said, "I am against any kind of violence and I understand that not everyone can become a soldier. I asked if they could take me to war, they said they only take women under the age of 45 and also that I was injured."

Asked if he would have been able to overcome the trauma he experienced if he had never received any attention from international media outlets, Kurilo described the worldwide attention his photo received as a true miracle, a divine intervention.

Expressing that he became the person in front of the media thanks to this, Kurilo said:

"I have to say that when you Google the first face of the war in Ukraine and see your photo and your biography, your mind refuses to believe it. It's very scary, but even if it's scary, without this photo no one would recognize me, I would be one of thousands of suffering people. Without this fame I would have received much less help than I did. Journalists were in touch with me from day one, some of them helped me go to Europe for eye surgery."

Thanking those who provided financial support for his treatment and those who supported him mentally, Kurilo said, "This war has shown who is who. Most of my relatives do not talk to me," adding that he is still in contact with journalists.

"This is how God gave me this mission of fame, and I am grateful for it," Kurilo said, noting that he tried to provide financing support for the supply of drones to the Ukrainian army despite not having money.

Regarding what might happen due to the decrease in support for his country recently, Kurilo said that at the beginning of the war, many countries in Europe and around the world supported Ukraine's struggle.

Noting that many refugees went to different countries, Kurilo said, "Almost the whole world was worried and wanted to help us because the start of the war here was terrible for many people and countries in the world."

Noting that support for Ukrainians and Ukraine has gradually decreased in the last three years, Kurilo described this situation as very bad and said, "Because we cannot survive without the support of Europe and the United States."

Regarding US President Donald Trump's statement that "Ukraine started the war" and his description of (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy as a "dictator with minimal popular support," Kurilo argued that many things have changed after the elections in the US in November 2024.

Noting that the US has been one of the countries that has provided the most aid to Ukraine since the very beginning of the war, Kurilo said that everyone initially hoped that Trump would fulfill his promise to end the war within 24 hours.

Kurilo stated the following:

"What's happening now is a real shock for everyone because every Ukrainian believed and expected Trump to come and end this war, but everything that's happening now is completely crazy. The meeting in Munich, Trump talking to Putin, Trump calling our president 'funny', it's all disgusting."

Commenting on reports that a mining rights deal is expected to be signed soon between the Kiev and Washington administrations, Kurilo described the agreement as shameful because it provides no guarantees for peace.

"I have the feeling that Ukraine is falling apart, and that's scary for me," Kurilo said, adding that despite hopes that US President Trump would be able to stop the war, he has not.

Arguing that it is impossible for Ukraine to win without the military support of the United States, Kurilo pointed out that media outlets write that Russia produces more weapons every month than Europe does in 6 months.

"If Ukraine falls, Europe will be next," Kurilo said, adding that he did not support the mining rights deal, adding that he was not a politician or an economist but could see that it was bad for the country.

"Everyone is waiting for a ceasefire but we don't understand how it is possible in the current situation," Kurilo said.

Referring to the possibility of moving to another place in the event of a ceasefire, Kurilo, who gained experience from living in Chuhuiv, relatively close to the frontline, said: "Despite the danger, I am staying here in Chuhuiv. I do not want to leave, I do not want to live in another country, neither in the US nor in Europe."

Noting that he wants to get to know people, learn about different cultures and travel the world when the war is over, Kurilo said that he wants to board a plane from his hometown Kharkiv and fly to any point in Ukrainian territory.

Kurilo, who stated that he was aware of the dangers brought by the proximity of the front line in his region, said that he felt at home here and said, "I believe and hope that peace will come to Ukraine in the spring."

The photograph of Olena Kurilo, which AA photojournalist Schwan took in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and which became a symbol of war, attracted the attention of numerous media organizations around the world.

While CNN announced the start of the war with the photograph of Olena Kurilo taken by Schwan, AA's photograph, which was used on the front pages of many international newspapers, including The Guardian, The Times, The Sun, Independent and Bild, also found wide coverage in the news pages of international television channels such as CNN and BBC.

The entire $100,000 income from the painting "First Face of War: Intimate Portrait of Ukrainian Teacher, 2022", which was auctioned at Heritage Auctions in the USA, was donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.

Additionally, AA photojournalist Wolfgang Schwan won first prize in the "Storytelling" category at the 2023 Siena International Photography Awards with his photo series titled "Ukrainian War" and was deemed worthy of an honorable mention in the "Documentary & Photojournalism" category with his photo titled "Olena Kurilo: The Face of the Ukrainian War".

AA