Марія Бровінська Історії 16 February 2026, 09:00

«In Kharkiv, I was a “person of concrete,” an agnostic intellectual with no attachment to traditions.» Changing the rhythm of a million-strong city to life in a small settlement in Bukovyna — and feeling completely happy — is possible. Here is the story of an IT specialist from EPAM who proves it.

On February 23, 2022 Senior Engineering Manager at EPAM, Kateryna Sushkova, did not believe that the next morning her life would change dramatically. She fell asleep in her apartment in central Kharkiv with her husband and son, planning a team meeting for the following day. At 5 a.m. on February 24, the family saw flashes of fighting on the outskirts of the city from their window. That same day, they headed west. Within a few months, the village of Berehomet in the Chernivtsi region became their new home.

Kateryna told dev.ua about life in a small town, adapting after a forced relocation, and the transformations brought by war and a new reality. Below is her first-person account.

30 Hours to a New Reality

Our departure from Kharkiv was quite chaotic — like it was for everyone in late February 2022. The day before, we had taken our car in for scheduled maintenance, so my husband had to urgently retrieve it from the service station, find cash and fuel — all to the sound of explosions. We hoped the car wouldn’t overheat on the way and took turns driving. At first, our main goal was simply to get across the Dnipro River.

At the same time, we stayed in touch with family and colleagues — I had 120 specialists on my team back then, and they needed support, reassurance, and coordination.

I’ll say this right away: we were not planning to emigrate. We had traveled extensively and about ten years earlier had considered moving to Canada or the U.S., but realized that the overall quality of life, considering expenses and the inevitable adaptation period in another country, wasn’t right for us. We wanted to live in Ukraine.

So as we traveled from east to west, we based our route on where we could book accommodation. First, we ended up in Bukovel, then elsewhere in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. Eventually, we found a house for rent in Berehomet, in the Chernivtsi region — and we liked it.

The village won us over with its incredible nature and sufficient infrastructure: there are schools, supermarkets, and Chernivtsi is just 50 kilometers away. We realized that returning to Kharkiv was unsafe for now, other cities didn’t feel right for various reasons, and the idea of having a «villa in the Carpathians» appealed to both of us.

An Autonomous Fortress: Building During Wartime

When we decided to put down roots, we discovered that finding the perfect ready-made house was almost impossible — either too expensive, oddly designed, or neglected. So in the fall of 2022, we bought a plot of land and began building our own «autonomous fortress.» We moved in in 2025.

As people working in IT, it was critical for us to organize our home so that no blackout could stop our processes. In Berehomet, power outages happened even without shelling — simply because the infrastructure is old. So our house is ready for any scenario. We have a heat pump, a pellet boiler for power disruptions, and a powerful fireplace stove that can heat the entire house. Of course, we have Starlink, inverter batteries, and a generator. In the village, the absence of 4G or electricity is not a catastrophe for many — but for our work, it’s critical, so we prepared 100%.

A Village School That Teaches with Heart

Of course, I thought about my son’s well-being. In Kharkiv, we were used to private kindergartens and certain standards. Here, he started first grade in a regular rural school, and I must admit — as someone with a background in education — I’m pleasantly surprised. There are only 13 children in the class, and the approach is highly individualized. Teachers create their own learning materials, hold lessons on carpets, and use the principles of the New Ukrainian School reform. Everything is cozy, clean, and done with care.

My son runs to school with joy. He already speaks like a little Hutsul, absorbing the values of nature and love for traditions. At the same time, he’s not disconnected from the world — we regularly take him to Chernivtsi or abroad. It’s a strange but beautiful combination: seeing how berries grow in the forest while also understanding the rhythm of a big city.

We do assume that we might move to Chernivtsi when he grows older. It’s possible we’ll choose a secondary school there.

Parmesan, Malanka, and a «Concrete Person»

Living 50 km from Chernivtsi means having access to both culture and a unique Bukovynian comfort. There’s an incredible mix here: in small village shops, it’s easier to find good Italian Parmesan or a leg of jamón than it once was in Kharkiv supermarkets. The food is exceptionally tasty, berries grow right in the yard, and the local mentality is something special. Ukrainians, Romanians, and Moldovans live here — and this blend makes people very open. The Romanian border is nearby: in two hours you can drive to a large supermarket there if you want something specific. Lviv is four hours away, Bukovel two and a half — and the roads are lined with breathtaking views.

We found ourselves in a living culture and don’t feel like outsiders.
In Kharkiv, I was a «person of concrete,» an agnostic intellectual with little attachment to traditions. Here, we discovered vibrant Malanka celebrations, festivals, and local beliefs. We became friends with locals: we buy homemade products from them and can ask for help with everyday matters. Of course, we are somewhat «different» to them — but we are their own. I’m happy we found wonderful friends here, with whom we celebrate holidays and stay in close contact.

The Home I Dreamed Of

The war destroyed many of my inner pillars, but village life helped build new ones. I used to be unable to tell a blackberry from a blueberry — now I’m learning to understand herbs and trees.

When you live on the 16th floor, it’s about a beautiful view. But when you live on the ground, it’s about a special kind of confidence.

Success used to mean different things to me. Now I step outside, have a picnic in summer, look at the mountains — and feel incredibly happy, as if I live at a resort. Ninety percent of the time, I’m surrounded by extraordinary beauty.

Now I feel that I am finally in my place, that I’ve achieved what I wanted, and that I no longer have to prove anything to anyone.

You can simply live. Here and now.

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