of the first rush anything to see his grandmother, his babuschka, who collapses to her knees. lydia hadn t seen the reunion video until now. what was that moment like? i was so, so happy to see him, my grandson that he is running to me, that he is alive. she watches the video again and again and kisses oleg on the screen. and months of fear and uncertainty well up and come touring out. it was overdue. thank you. thank you for everything, she says. i had no words. kherson was the first city russia captured after it invaded. president putin annexed it declaring the conquered territory to be forever bonded to russia.