Marina
Protas
Partner of a servicemember
Maryna Protas met Yaroslav in Druzhkivka at the beginning of 2023. She is a pianist and the director of a music school. He is a volunteer, a communications specialist, and in civilian life — an IT professional.
Maryna recalls: “After the full-scale war began, I did a lot of volunteering — helping elderly people who had been left alone in the city. I burned out deeply and seemed to hide behind extra weight and a kind of emotional armor that made me indifferent to my personal life.”
She caught his attention with her strength of character, and he won her over with care. “He simply broke through my defenses with his care,” Maryna smiles.
The real challenges began during separation. When Yaroslav was first transferred to Mykolaiv and later to Pavlohrad, Maryna faced her own vulnerability. She calls that state a “child position”: tears, mood swings, emotional ups and downs, constant attempts to sort things out. But war is an accelerated course in growing up.
When their communication narrowed down to messages, Maryna realized that if she wanted to preserve the relationship, she needed to change herself:
"My transformation rested on three pillars. First — spirituality: a two-month fast and prayer helped me tame my ego. Second — education: an in-depth study of military psychology helped me understand the ‘emotional shutdown’ of soldiers — a state where feelings are pushed inward for the sake of survival. Third — acceptance: since then, my messages have become a safe space."
Since then, Maryna has been waiting patiently and approaches communication with understanding: she doesn’t demand details about his life or insist on meetings. Instead, she shares her own world — telling him about each day, sending photos of the Kyiv sky, her new hairstyle, conferences, photoshoots — everything she wants to share with her loved one.
The inner work of this cheerful, open blonde with a wide smile is noticed by her psychologist, close friends, and Yaroslav.
"Last year, my life changed completely — all because of Yaroslav. Now I try to be his support — to honestly and sincerely share my thoughts and discoveries,” she says.
Her main pillars are faith, psychology, and body-based practices. She meditates, paints, exercises, travels, goes to the theater, and practices breathing techniques.
The last time Maryna saw her partner was in July 2024, before his departure to Mykolaiv. Now she lives in Kyiv, has completed a certified program in art therapy at the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary, studies psychology, and runs a private practice.
When asked about her dreams, Maryna answers: “After the war ends, Yaroslav and I agreed to go to Mexico. Back in 2023, we watched a TV show and decided — we will go there.”
Maryna understands that both of them are going through complex stages of growth and maturity, and that when they meet again, they may have to get to know each other anew. She is ready for that.
«I can’t change the circumstances, but I can change my attitude toward them, my inner state — and live with trust in God, in myself, and in Yaroslav».