Yana Dyukareva, 38, is a Ukrainian woman who came to Paris, Kentucky in 2020 to work on a horse farm. When the war in Ukraine started in February 2021, Russian troops invaded and occupied Yana’s hometown, Mykolaiv, where Yana’s parents and loved ones lived. Yana considered leaving to fight as a soldier for her home country. “If I have to die, that’s fine. But I do the right thing.”

While working on the picturesque Hunterton Farms, known for breeding some of the nation’s top Standardbred horses, Yana’s mind and thoughts were with her parents, who were navigating unfolding chaos and crisis.

After much anguish, Yana’s mother, Inna, 58, managed to eventually flee Ukraine and move in with Yana. However, Yana’s father was unable to do the same because of Ukraine’s travel ban prohibiting men ages 18 to 60 from leaving the country during war in case they were needed to fight.

Before immigrating to the United States, Yana had worked as a horse rider, jumper, and groomer, traveling across Europe for nearly 20 years. Inna worked as a music teacher for more than 30 years in Ukraine. Both women now rebuild their lives in the United States.