'We Can Be Your Mom And Dad': Ukrainian Couple Offers To Adopt Child Orphaned By War

Six-year-old Ilya lost his mother and father when they were killed during Russia's attack on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. Volodymyr and Maria Bespaliy started taking care of Ilya after he was orphaned and have offered to adopt him as their own son.
Originally published at - www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-orpha...
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#russia #ukraine

[@blackdubz]

This is heartbreaking. Very glad that he found a couple who is willing to take care of him and protect him from Russia's senseless war. Glory to Ukraine.

[@dusk6159]

People should look and think about this situation, these are some of the REAL consequences of wars, especially indiscriminate aggressions for annexation.

[@thril1677]

glory to the heroes

[@Vmssupplies]

No, it's not heart braking, it's inspirational!

[@ella2262]

Song "Toys for Poroshenko" /War Ukraine. The children of Donbass have been suffering for 8 years.Real footayo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqfIgK2aaJ6Jjas

[@user-yt3zl6sz7y]

А почему украинские власти не эвакуировали население??? Спецоперация началась с 22 -23 февраля.. и где же забота о мирном населении??? И кто же взорвпл мост??? Русским это не выгодно .. им зайти надо,а вот обороняющимся необходимо что бы Не зашли русские... взорвать мост и потом кричать на весь мир какие русские жестокие ... врать это национальная черта украинства.... не зря они в дружбе с западными странами которые все время врут всему миру.

[@LordOceanus]

To take in, care for, and love someone else's child is one of the most human things one can do. At the end of the day we are all of the same blood cherish it, don't spill it.

[@makenzie8577]

My sister adopted my niece at 6 im forever grateful this love is specially type of love

[@omfug7148]

I thought that I could not cry any more about what has happened, so glad that this child has found a family to love him.

[@denizalgazi]

Who's crying? I'm not crying. No, someone is cutting onions nearby… but no worries, it shows that we are truly human.

[@tanyushkaModenaItaly]

Only his real parents could love him that way,dude

[@dougcoombes8497]

The Dad of a childhood friend of mine was orphaned when Russia attacked Finland in 1939. He was evacuated to Sweden where a couple there adopted him. War brings out both the best and worst in people. I hope this war ends soon and Ukraine can start to rebuild. The people there have suffered so much for no reason, they deserve peace and happiness.

[@juliec5309]

And most of the world will help them rebuild. Whether with money or companies sending building supplies or people going on site to lend their expertise. This is so sad to see and so pointless. Still hoping Russians take back their country from that regime but doesn't look likely.

[@dougcoombes8497]

@@juliec5309 Yup. Ukraine has inspired real love across the world, while all Putin's Russia attempts to do is scare the heck out of everyone. Do we really need constant reminders that Russia still has nuclear weapons or would like to destroy the UK with them. I also think the Putin government is as much smoke and mirrors as the military they built. It may not fall right away, but when enough Russians process the cost of this insane war I don't think all the intimidation in the world is going to keep Putin and his cliche in power. Maybe Russia will never get the democracy that so many there have been working for for so long. But it can do much better than a former KGB thug and his buddies using violence and threats to stay in power.

[@aan2538]

@@juliec5309 We’ll try to do it. I am Russian and I say that we will try to change our country for the better. Don't stop believing in us, and also don't think that there are lost people here. Not all.

[@Starlitwarrior]

It just seems so pointless. What is Russia actually accomplishing? Are they trying to take over for certain items, like oil, mines? Anything? I just can’t wrap my head around it.

[@dougcoombes8497]

@@Starlitwarrior It's not Russia doing this, it's a few really cynical old men who grew up as oppressors under the old Soviet system and they want the same power now they had then. The Soviet Union they come from made no sense. It was supposedly communist where everyone was equal, but the people running the country had more power than anyone else on Earth.

[@goblinanno8500]

I hope that this cruelty ends soon. Thank you to all the journalists who give these people a voice

[@mortenfrosthansen84]

Completely agree... without those kind souls, we wouldn't know much

[@Braveheart.22]

Ah...yes .Thank you . This was an especially insightful and sensitively presented report.

[@wendygillen8713]

Heartbreaking and so traumatic for this little boy. Thankfully western journalists tell the true story rather than the propaganda sh*te spewed out by a Russian dictator. So many stupid people in Russia, imagine believing State media when all independent media is banned! Totally brainwashed population.

[@landreeall]

Sometimes God allows wars in order for us to be away from sins and repent.

[@goblinanno8500]

@@landreeall go annoy someone else with your cult stuff

[@danstoye3902]

I was adopted as a baby; God bless you and your blended family and watch over those on earth and in heaven!

[@chuckmaddison2924]

My wife also adopted as a baby and works for the care organisation ( last 15 years ) that owns the hospital where she was born.

[@oceanwaves9584]

Amazing couple. I'm so happy and heartbroken for him. More children are orphans because of Russia. Shame on them for many reasons!. Much love to the beautiful people of Ukraine 💞🇺🇦💞

[@haroonmarikar]

And still many russians say we are apolitical . Russian people are indirectly responsible for their leader Putin and his actions .

[@user-bj1hm6do3k]

17000 дітей залишилось без батьків.

[@ella2262]

Song "Toys for Poroshenko" /War Ukraine. The children of Donbass have been suffering for 8 years.Real footayo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqfIgK2aaJ6Jjas

[@Sta-dx6bm]

Who them? Average Russian people? Blame the government

[@taterkaze9428]

Ukraine is loaded with great people. Forty million legends. Just don't invade them, or else you discover every man, woman and child is a badass.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

The one wonderful thing this war has shown us is the amazing resilience and compassion of the Ukrainian people. They deserve to win. They seem as good as the Russians seem to be the villains.

[@angelo_giachetti]

Ukrainians also love and try to rescue their pets. They fight tooth and nail to take their cats, dogs and birds.

[@HorusDeLayos]

You simply romanticize tragedy, because war is a tragedy. Think about it please. Only small precentage is fighting, everyone else has to leave everything and run, many became Russian hostages in eastern Ukraine, and children are not "badass", they are victims of this war. This boy here on this video is not a badass, he's a traumatized victim who lost parents.

[@user-vm2bk5fw6v]

@@robertmaybeth3434 пафос - признак лицемерия . Запад сделал всё чтобы развязать войну и запад заплатит .

[@UserUser-ww2nj]

@@user-vm2bk5fw6v Grow up, the world does not work in the stone age ways of Russia

[@tomtugboat]

Such a terrible tragedy losing his parents ! I am happy they found him to take care of him .

[@quinna5537]

Putin has become Stalin.

[@OstblockLatina]

A Polish sports shirt! We love and admire your people so much! Thank you, Ukraine, for being awesome! Love from Poland.

[@immortaltyger1569]

The first time I heard of a Latina in Poland, lol. How long have you been there?

[@helivesforever7312]

Thank you too for your great help to us !!!!

[@Bookshoneyandtea]

@@immortaltyger1569 im a Latina living in Poland. I changed my hair to blonde 👱🏽‍♀️ for that reason

[@immortaltyger1569]

@@Bookshoneyandtea Well done, I bet it looks great.

[@vampirexion]

@@Bookshoneyandtea I'm sure you didn't have to, to be in Poland. I am half and have dark eyes and dark brown hair.

[@clarinda011]

I have goosebumbs. He is such a beautiful innocent little boy and so very lucky to have 2 people ( real angels) who are so full of love and takes care of him. I pray and wish this family all the best. This woman is absolutely gorgeous, Ukraine stands true to it's word abt their beautiful women.

[@escribopapelitos]

She is beautiful from the inside out.

[@dyawr]

Yes, for real!

[@a.katherinesuetterlin3028]

@@escribopapelitos I was just about to say the same thing. Both those people are shining lights with big hearts. Ilya, or some kid like him, needs to be able to stand up at a microphone and ask Putin, straight up: "Why did you take my mama and papa away from me? Why did you do this to other kids like me? All we were doing was living our lives." Simple questions like this deserve an answer...but I bet Putin wouldn't be able to answer truthfully. And kids can sense when grown-ups are lying.

[@PrypjatFox]

Such a sweetheart. Hope he has a safe future ♥️

[@oiseau_libre]

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Poor child! Thank God 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏for people who adopted him.

[@behroozkhaleghirad]

War is so damn cruel... as a clinical psychologist it's my firm opinion that the scar of losing his parents will never fully heal until his death, but kudos to that kind and human couple to save this little boy's soul. His body would survive without them, but not his soul.

[@dirkdaring748]

You assume he had loving parents. I hope that was the case. But not every child does, and this event might be an improvement to what his life would have been. PS. I'm not a sure a "clinical psychologist" should be making assumptions based off a short feel-good video.

[@user-bj1hm6do3k]

Наразі приблизно 17000 дітей стали сиротами завдяки рашистам.

[@proximashining776]

@@dirkdaring748 The assumption is based on the fact that the child lost his parents. Whether or not it was shown in a video is irrelevant.

[@ella2262]

Song "Toys for Poroshenko" /War Ukraine. The children of Donbass have been suffering for 8 years.Real footayo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqfIgK2aaJ6Jjas

[@dirkdaring748]

@@proximashining776 No one said it needed to be shown. Focus on the question next time.

[@Liza03V]

I just admire you both for opening your hearts for this boy! Just 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💙💙💛💛

[@acecarson3792]

What the dad said reminds me of my own childhood. The memory is deep, yelling out watch me dive, a high dive at neighborhood pool, he was so proud.

[@misty5979]

So heartbreaking. Such a beautiful couple to take him in, protect him....make him fee loved and alive again. Slava Ukraini!

[@omfug7148]

He looks like that Canadian actor whose name I can't remember, she is stunningly gorgeous

[@naturelover6588]

They are beautiful inside out

[@canadude2010]

God bless these people, all three

[@PhilipArndt]

Heartbreaking 😭💔 And beautiful at the same time ❤️ A light in dark times 🕊

[@emmajk7433]

What a lovely trio of amazing people who show what they meaning of family really is! Blessing to them and may his birth family rest in peace knowing their amazing child is in loving hands ❤

[@dyawr]

Amin🕯

[@chantalle7340]

Tears of sadness, tears of joy.

[@shannon_w.]

I would say “I would like Putin to see this, the heartbreak he is causing, for what?” But he is so heartless and soulless that it wouldn’t matter! I am so happy for this sweet boy! He has parents now that will live him like his birth parents did. ❤️

[@4elovekGycb]

Putin has a avoid inside. He doesnt care about it

[@nathanbradleyf777]

So glad there are people like this in the world.

[@strawberrytart3540]

Poor kid. Glad he has people who are giving him love.

[@bigdada018]

Blessings and luck from California to Ukraine 🙏🍀💙💛

[@laurachapin204]

Such senseless tragedy. I'm so glad the boy did not witness his parents' deaths. I'm heartened by this young couple's desire to make the orphan their child. May peace come soon.

[@ourfloridagarden4191]

Bless this couple and this little boy. They are adorable together.

[@Braveheart.22]

What a great family....beautiful inside and out. I too lost my family about his age.I remember asking once how you get over the grief. It was explained that the grief never goes away, but over time it diminishes in intensity and other things come up. At 72 now I can attest that to be true. I remember making a similar promise as he has. Also something that helped was helping others. In my case it was rescuing abandoned animals and keeping their families togeather. As an adult my business was in insurance,protecting families in case of loss of a parent. May God bless you all. SLAVA UKRAINE. 🇺🇦

[@FadeStrategy]

God bless these people

[@CoinSilver800]

Damn onions...

[@haphappablap7684]

Yep. I think I've been pepper-sprayed.

[@marshmallow7640]

She’s beautiful on the inside and outside 🥺

[@seantiz]

He has found the right new parent.

[@alonsocushing2263]

Good luck young man. But you have 2 very wonderful people who will care for you forever.

[@Layingflat]

Such loving people. Im sure they will be wonderful parents. Thank you Both

[@knp44]

Wow man. It warms my heart to see this lovely couple taking him in.

[@jessicaraquelmorenochu4168]

Thanks dear Ms Aria and dear Mr Volodymyr Bespaliy.for taking care of this marveleous Ilya Kostushevych. God bless to you family. Stay safe.

[@davejob630]

I just hope he doesn't lose his new parents too... Bless you all.

[@richardevans3084]

This Couple are Angel’s sent straight from Heaven 😻

[@grahamjordan1040]

🤢

[@margieql7198]

I am so moved with this beautiful couple. Despite the war they chose to love. My heart aches for children who lost their parents seen by their eyes. I hope and i pray that there will be more people like them. Shalom.

[@janetrodriguez5445]

We need more good people like this in this world!!!

[@babajaga7390]

Хорошие, светлые лица. Молодцы. Понимают устройство тонких планов. Нашли своего ребенка. Желаю вам счастья!

[@Micro2Macr0]

Thank you for taking care of this young boy. Much love from the USA. Slava Ukraini!

[@erindzurison6227]

Bless this couple for taking him in. 🙏

[@kingdomofgeorgia1751]

God Bless the Bespaliy family.

[@cutesta0079]

Life has been so cruel to young Ilya to lose his parents in this senseless war, but the love and care of Volodymyr and Maria Bespaliy will at least give him a chance that some like him might not have. Wishing you all the best of luck and love as so to All people affected by war.

[@carstenf279]

A big hearth cures a lot of evil.

[@deborahshaw3802]

This is so beautiful that a couple loves this little boy and will be his parents.

[@KECarter]

May God bless them forever and ever!!

[@morriswilburn9858]

It is so good to see there are still some decent people around.

[@inhocsignovinces1081]

The lad lost his parents as a result of Putin’s war of aggression, violence, and terror against a neighboring country.

[@dolorestate6599]

I have the most respect for the people who adopt a child.

[@deanh4720]

It's amazing how see people affected by war come together and help each other out

[@lynnjones4291]

What lovely 😍 boy..

[@m.h.6499]

Chills seeing this. I hope this beautiful boy will understand one day how his father’s last loving act was to make sure there would be a name, an identity, *his* son; he took care of his boy the very best possible way he knew before going to look for his wife, it seems knowing there was a chance he might not return. How this young mother said, your parents are in heaven and are happy for you. Making sure he knows they are still connected to him and he to them. ♥️ I wish good things for these beautiful people. I am so sorry this is happening in the world.

[@mariaradeva4809]

God bless this young family. I am happy there are still good kind-hearted people on this earth. ❤

[@hdskl2150]

This woman is so beautiful to love this child. This is how mothers are. Thank you for being his mom.

[@bosanpisan]

God bless this couple. ❤❤

[@deanfirnatine7814]

Incredible young couple to adopt a 6 year old boy, most Westerners their age are out partying. I understand Ukraine's temporary ban on adoptions, there is a chance many children's parents are alive but captured by Russia, I read there are an estimated 95,000 residents of metro Mariupol region that Russia took and put in camps or small towns in Siberia so Mariupol can be "resettled" with loyal Russians, this is a old tactic Russia uses when it conquers a place, after WW2 they did this to the Tatars and Ukrainians in Crimea.

[@wailinglee1335]

The world is in need of kind people like them, God bless!

[@tamiweber9409]

Prayers for this new family 💜💜💜💜💜

[@polishnorwegianandspanish9145]

I am glad that this beautiful family have each other. This boy is so cute with his Polish t-shirt and that couple are amazing people

[@xylogeist91]

free belarus

[@polishnorwegianandspanish9145]

@@xylogeist91 Agreed! Free Belarus

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Shut up, I'm not crying! You're crying!

[@FullFrontalExposure]

GOOD HUMANS HERE!! THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!

[@michelebunting6706]

Blessed is this couple and the sweetest boy!!

[@thaddeusdoyle5086]

May God bless this wonderful young couple and all who are trying to pick u p the pieces and care for the orphans. But we cry out to Heaven that He will deliver the world from the force of evil that descended on Ukraine

[@Chowdhury246]

Praying for God's blessing upon this family and boy.

[@user-xp3bb3yh7c]

God bless this family, kind-hearted souls!!! Can't stop crying...

[@cotton-xb1xp]

Unnecessary heartache. May God bless this beautiful souls for sharing their life with him with so much love. ❤️

[@daya820]

Such a wonderful family, there is love and it’s the most important thing for the child. Congratulations to you.

[@schmerzdj5719]

This is a heartwarming thing to come out of such tragedy. This couple are amazing people clearly. All the best for your gorgeous new family

[@8jerasikapark8]

What amazing,selfless people. That boy will be loved.

[@gecoimbra3612]

I'm so emotional! Mary God bless you 🙏

[@robertmaybeth3434]

God bless these kind people. Truly doing God's work by just taking this kid, no questions asked. Lucky kid, too.

[@kathrinekerns8398]

God bless this little angel. I am glad for his new parents. So saddened that his birth parents were killed. So much heartache in Mariupol.

[@steverollan5554]

God bless the 3 of you - Love from Sydney Australia

[@jalphonso1515]

What a sweet innocent soul. God bless this couple who has taken him under their wings.

[@josefinadelapaz]

I keep thinking that the Ukrainian government, along with its other statistics, should publish the daily number and running total of orphans created during this war. Perhaps it would help to concentrate some minds on the horrors being perpetrated.

[@TheFeldhamster]

Actually, numbers, especially large numbers make people go numb. Stories about concrete individuals, like this boy and his adoptive parents are much more powerful. This is well researched and has been known quite a while. It's also the reason why charities nowadays don't tell you that "100000 children are starving in Africa" but rather will present a story about a single child or a single family. It's also been shown that if you then add "and there's 100000 more" it actually diminishes(!) people's empathy. So, instead of putting out large numbers, Ukraine better stick with these kinds of single family or single person stories.

[@PrypjatFox]

@@TheFeldhamster gut gesagt!

[@ZhovtoBlakytniy]

Nobody really knows right now and might not know, the way things are. But this boy is lucky to find someone to love and care for him, given Ukraine doesn't have much of an adoption culture. Hopefully this changes in the future, more Ukrainian couples willing to take in these children.

[@PrypjatFox]

@@ZhovtoBlakytniy true at the moment there is even ban so they can file for temporary help, which under this circumstances should be a lot easier. But still very good that people like this exist. Gives me hope

[@ericapaolillo2058]

I am so glad that this little guy was able to find a family that will love and support him! I am in tears after hearing and seeing all this. I pray that Ukraine will win this war and let everyone live in peace

[@dianejesso3088]

Absolutely heartbreaking. God bless him

[@judithwalthers5128]

Thank you for saving this young man and willing to raise him as your own,May God bless you and keep your family safe 😇💖🙏🕊️🕯️✝️

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Thank you for this beautiful hopeful story. It was so needed to help heal our hearts and nurture our belief that Ukraine will win and over come these atrocities. The world is so cruel. What thoughtfulness of the father to leave the birth certificate with the neighbour. What an amazing situation mixed with so many emotions. Glory to Ukraine from East Canada.

[@jf7243]

What a sad but beautiful story. It made me weep. What a gorgeous young generous and kind couple to adopt such a beautiful boy. May God bless them richly!

[@marysmyth8687]

Little darling. Please be good to him and love him forever

[@meoonly4989]

This woman is beautiful inside out,god bless them

[@Vbluevital]

Bless them all. They are already fine loving parents. Slava Ukraini!!

[@cravingcaving]

LOVE IS SO BEAUTIFUL ❤️ WAR IS SO UGLY, I WISH ALL HUMANS WOULD FIND THE BEAUTY IN LIFE AND PROTECT IT

[@KatsCats2619]

So sad poor lad lost his parents😢thanks to the couple for taking him in god bless you❤

[@lalalele7559]

Aww what a beautiful child 🥹🥲 inside and out❤ bless them

[@georgiojansen7758]

chopping onions here

[@MikeOxlong-]

I pray for these people, that their country survives and repels this onslaught of empirical aggression and brutal, subhuman atrocities being committed. I pray that this couple is able in every way to love this child as their own, to be successful in raising him in a safe and loving environment, and for them all to find the ability to heal, and to be able to live and lead long, successful lives not wanting or in despair for anything... These two young adults are absolutely shining examples of humanity that we all should take example from!!! 💙💛

[@gladyspassionforfantasy]

God bless u 2 for taking in this sweet angel

[@amaliaciongaru7811]

God bless this family! So sad...No words...

[@crownhic6827]

What amazing love and grace in the face of tragedy. Slava Ukraini!

[@jeanetteemanuel1037]

He constantly shows how much he needs them. I hope that they're able to adopt this boy he needs these two specific people and nobody else.

[@majbrat]

Bless you for giving him a home with your love. I wish you safety and the very best.

[@annomaly751]

This couple has a heart of gold.

[@casualgamer3689]

Ukraine is in our hearts

[@bodhiswayze1892]

What a beautiful but yet desperately sad story. I wash this family all the love and happiness the world, Ukraine we support you in The UK 🇬🇧❤️🇺🇦

[@the-scorpio]

God bless you all. You’re great people!!! ❤️

[@KaniniTheJeli]

I pray that he heals. God bless the lovely couple