Russian woman branded 'traitor' by family for helping rebuild homes in Ukraine

Exclusive:

Brave Maria Korkina is part of a small group of anti-Putin Russians flying the flag of Ukraine and helping to rebuild its destroyed buildings. She said she was "proud to help" Ukrainians

Maria Korkina helps Ukrainians rebuild houses destroyed by Putin's army

A Russian woman has been abandoned by her own parents for helping rebuild Ukrainian homes destroyed by Vladimir Putin's army.

Brave Maria Korkina was even told by her mother, "I hope you're croaking."

The 28-year-old is part of a small group of anti-Putin Russians flying Ukraine's flag and helping to rebuild its bombed-out buildings.

Originally from the Siberian city of Irkutsk, she had been living in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv for four years when war broke out in February.

Her family turned against her when she stayed to help instead of returning to her homeland. Maria, who now refuses to speak Russian, said: “My mother has completely lost her mind. She smashed plates screaming, "You're a traitor".

Maria goes to work in the rubble of a bombed-out building

"When Russia first dropped missiles on Kyiv, I begged them to go to rallies or put up a poster saying, 'My daughter is being bombed'.

"She replied to me by saying, 'It's okay if you sleep on the subway. Once the Nazis are eliminated, everything will be fine.

"I sent photos to my father. He said it was all fake. He said he believed Putin, not me."