In Ukraine, three years of war have taken a huge toll on the relationships of those in combat– and experts say society must start to address the problem

• Photographs by Anastasia Vlasova

When her husband went off to help defend Ukraine against Russia’s invasion in 2022, Yulia stayed at home with their toddler. She describes being overcome by a feeling of “numbness”.

“I’d been left alone with a small child. The worst thing for her was the thought that her father had left her and would never come back. The worst time was when she blocked her father when he tried to call.