Lower Thirds:
0:02	Report by | Misha Komadovsky
0:23	Roman Oleksiv | Victim of Russian attack
0:32	Yaroslav Oleksiv | Roman’s father
1:53	Michael McCaul | Congressman (R-Texas)
 2:27	Steny Hoyer | Congressman (D-Maryland)
2:52	Misha Komadovsky | DW Correspondent
3:05	Maryna Baydyuk | President, 'United Help Ukraine'

Script: 

One face of Russian atrocities in Ukraine: 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv. In 2022, a missile struck the hospital where he and his mother were staying. She died under the rubble. Roman suffered burns to nearly half his body. Now, he’s in Washington sharing his story with congressmen. But it’s not the politicians who impress him most.

((SOUNDBITE))

Roman Oleksiv
Victim of Russian attack

Насправді, мені тут дуже сподобалось. Тут так багато снігу! Прикольні машини, фури особливо. 

Honestly, I really like it here. There’s so much snow! And the cars are really cool—especially the big trucks.

Yaroslav Oleksiv
Roman’s father 

Він просто дуже любить машини, тому було важливо побачити, які тут машини є. 

He really loves cars, so it was important for him to see what kinds of cars there are here.

((NARRATION))
Roman has undergone multiple surgeries and rehabilitation in Germany — with more to come. Between treatments, hobbies keep his spirits up.

((NARRATION))
Roman Oleksiv
Victim of Russian attack

Я люблю грати на акордеоні і танцювати бальні танці. І, насправді, це ще і терапія. Бо коли я граю на акордеоні, це є терапія для руки. А коли танцюю — терапія для ніг.  

I love playing the accordion and ballroom dancing. And, in fact, it's also therapy. Because when I play the accordion, it's therapy for my hand. And when I dance, it's therapy for my legs.

Misha:
Тато допомагає грати? Разом граєте?

Does dad help you play? Do you play together?

Yes, of course. I am an accordion teacher. That's why I teach him to play. Our whole family is accordionists. My wife was an accordionist, Roman and I are too.

((NARRATION))
Today, Roman has a message for the adults who will help decide his country’s future.

((SOUNDBITE))
Misha Komadovsky, US correspondent: 
What would you tell them?

Roman Oleksiv
Victim of Russian attack
Я б сказав їм, щоб вони підтримували Україну. Щоб вони захистили українських дітей. Бо коли ми разом, ми сильні і непереможні!
I would tell them to support Ukraine. To protect Ukrainian children. Because when we are together, we are strong and invincible!

+

Yaroslav Oleksiv, Roman’s Dad
Роман — це дитина, яка постарждала від війни. І коли він це говорить політикам, то вони по-іншому це сприймають. І набагато воно більш інтеснивно передається, аніж говорить хтось зі сторони. 

Roman is a child who has been harmed by the war, and when he tells politicians this himself, they understand it differently. His words land far more powerfully than if the same message came from an outside observer.

((NARRATION))
And both Democrats and Republicans hear him. 

((SOUNBITE))

Michael McCaul 
Congressman (R-Texas)
That it's impacting the children of Ukraine, that they're not only being bombed and maimed and scarred and killed, but they're being abducted by the Russians and indoctrinated. You know, I was watching a documentary, is the exact playbook out of Nazi Germany they did with the Polish people. I mean, the message I'd like to send is that we, we support Ukraine. We, and I always have, we support countries against aggression, and you know, the Russians won't let up. But I, I'm a big fan of additional sanctions.

+

Steny Hoyer
Congressman (D-Maryland)
The longer the United States waits to make a very strong statement, the worse it is for Ukraine, but also the worse it is for America in terms of its support of democracy and freedom.

Misha: 
What would make that statement strong? Sanctions, more weaponry, more aid, more money?
Hoyer: 
All of the above, all of the above.

((STAND UP))

Misha Komadovsky 
US Correspondent
As well as Roman, hundreds of supporters of Ukraine gathered in Washington, urging the US to do more. For the fourth year in a row, they rallied at the Lincoln Memorial — hoping this time will be the last.

((SOUNDBITE))

Maryna Baydyuk 
President of United Help Ukraine
We dream about it, but we have to realize that Russia will not stop until massive sanctions, until their economic collapse, until their people, Russian people, will come to the streets, protesting their government and protesting the genocidal war in Ukraine.

((SOUNDBITE))
Roman Oleksiv
Victim of Russian attack
Моя глобальна мрія — аби закінчилася війна в Україні. Але діти хочуть одного: спокійно ходити до школи, гратися і мріяти. Але війна все зруйнувала. 
My global dream is for the war in Ukraine to end. But children want just one thing: to go to school in peace, to play, and to dream. The war has destroyed it all.

((NARRATION))
And to make this dream come true, Roman says he will keep sharing his story, again and again.