An interpreter at the European Parliament in Brussels broke down while translating 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv’s testimony about the last time he saw his mother before she was killed in a missile strike on July 14, 2022. The interpreter paused, apologized for becoming emotional, and was aided by a colleague so Roman could continue. Roman, who suffered severe burns in the hospital attack that killed 28 people and injured more than 200, has met Pope Francis and was featured in the short film Romchyk. The footage has circulated widely as a powerful symbol of the war’s civilian toll.
Interpreter Breaks Down as 11-Year-Old Describes Last Moments With Mother Killed in 2022 Missile Strike
Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/GettyPope Francis meeting with Roman Oleksiv in Rome in May 2024.
An interpreter at the European Parliament in Brussels became visibly emotional while translating the testimony of 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv, who recounted the last time he saw his mother before she was killed in a missile strike on July 14, 2022. The moment, captured on video and widely shared online, underscored the human cost of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Testimony
Roman introduced himself calmly: “Hello to everybody, my name is Roman, I am 11 years old, I’m from Ukraine, and I’m now living in Lviv.” As he spoke about "the last time I saw my mother," the interpreter translating his words paused, dabbed her eyes and apologized, saying, "Sorry, I am a bit emotional as well." A man off-camera offered to help with the translation so Roman could continue.
Visibly shaken but supportive, the interpreter placed her hands briefly on Roman’s shoulder and encouraged him to go on. The short, quiet exchange amplified the poignancy of the boy’s account and resonated with viewers around the world.
REUTERS/Roman BalukOleksiv at a ballroom dance competition in Lviv, Ukraine in December 2023.
Background
Roman was severely burned when a hospital was struck in the summer of 2022. According to Vatican Media, the attack killed 28 people, including his mother, and injured more than 200. Roman has since undergone multiple surgeries and continues his recovery while pursuing his interest in ballroom dance.
Following the attack, Roman met Pope Francis three times as part of the “Alliance Unbroken Kids” initiative. He was also featured in the short film Romchyk, produced by students at Goldsmiths, University of London, and shown at the Vatican’s International Summit on Children’s Rights.
Reaction and Symbolism
Filmmaker Kostiantyn Bidnenko, who created the short after reading about Roman, told the BBC that Roman has become "a symbol of all children who suffer because of war." Media outlets have highlighted Roman’s story and the Brussels testimony as emblematic of the conflict’s civilian toll; reporting has also noted heavy casualties on both sides since the 2022 invasion.
Sources: BBC, The Independent, Vatican Media, reporting from The Guardian referenced in media coverage.
