Ukrainian mother embraces stranger who helped her children cross border, video goes viral

Ableyeva told Reuters reporter Anita Komuves, “Their father simply handed over the two kids to me, and trusted me, giving me their passports to bring them over.” The 58-year-old also added that the children’s mother who was on her way from Italy was set to reunite with the kids at the Hungary border. The kid’s father gave his wife’s number to Ableyeva before bidding them goodbye. 

Finally, after safely leaving Ukraine, Ableyeva met 33-year-old Anna Semyuk who had arrived to get her kids. In heartwarming visuals shared by Reuters, one can see Senyuk meeting her kids and tearfully embracing Ableyeva. 

A Ukranian mother reunites with her son & daughter on the Hungary border & hugs the stranger (in the yellow jacket) who brought them across border. Mother had been out of country & father couldn’t cross border so stranger offered to take them to safety.

pic.twitter.com/TpbrWPcEwt

— GoodNewsCorrespondent (@GoodNewsCorres1) February 26, 2022

The video, that shows both women hugging and weeping, has gone viral on social media. And people from around the world were touched by the gestures of kindness that people are showing even in difficult circumstances. 

Humanity,at it’s very best.

— John Mc Corry (@Johnmccorry55Mc) February 26, 2022

There are good people left in this world. God bless the woman in yellow ❤🙏

— Selina (@Seli_San) February 27, 2022

Beautiful act of humanity. As a parent I could feel the flood of relief and gratitude. We are all connected. Kindness matters. ❤️

— jenny wren (@twintrekking) February 27, 2022

I just put on all my going out makeup and watched this reunion.

I have to redo my makeup. This is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

— Wendy I stand with Ukraine (@chillibeanboy) February 26, 2022

The woman in yellow who helped them, had to leave HER son and daughter behind. A soldier and a nurse. How heartbreaking for her too. God bless them and keep them safe.

— Solandra (@SOL_KittyKat) February 27, 2022

I watched this this morning and wanted to cry. This is all so difficult to process and it’s a helpless feeling not being able to do anything.

— 🔥Charlie Girl AF🔥 (@charliegirl0527) February 26, 2022

In the twinkle of an eye, lives can be changed forever. I felt this mom’s embrace of her son and the transporter. God bless them.

— April Albright (@AprilAlbright8) February 27, 2022

Kindness at its ultimate! If people can do this — why can’t governments!

— Pj (@Pj20212022) February 27, 2022

Remarking on Ableyeva’s compassion, a Twitter user said, “Beautiful act of humanity. As a parent I could feel the flood of relief and gratitude. We are all connected. Kindness matters. ❤️”