Upstate families mourn Ukrainian man killed during invasion who helped them adopt children

They say Serge Zevlever founded Hand of Help in Adoption to help find children in Ukrainian orphanages homes, including children with special needs.

The families say the adoption agency notified them Zevlever was killed several days ago while fighting for his country. They say his daughter said he was killed during a sniper attack on Ukraine.

Zevlever was more than an adoption facilitator or liaison for these families. They say he instantly became family to them when they began the adoption process.

"A big Ukrainian male with a small Ukrainian accent, but a huge heart. He was an absolute teddy bear," Christian Miller said.

Megan and Christian Miller had five biological children and a sixth on the way when they decided to adopt.

They brought home Elsie, 3, and Lottie, 5, around six months ago. Both girls have down syndrome.

"These girls would not be here without Serge," Christian Miller said.

The Millers say their girls had so many medical complications and were so malnourished, they don't think they would have survived had they stayed in the orphanage in Ukraine.

"He loves these kids. Each individual kid," Rachael Swolgaard said. "He knew her. He knew about her. He was there to protect our family and to protect her."

Swolgaard and her wife have three biological children and have adopted five children from Ukraine, four with special needs.

She also says she doesn't think her children would be healthy and thriving today if it weren't for Serge's tireless work to get them adopted.

"Serge fought for these children," Christian Miller said. "Every child that's been brought to America, he fought for."

The Millers say Serge would always be checking up on their family, even their biological children.

"You build these bonds because they're the ones that fought tooth and nail to get these children out of orphanages," Megan Miller said.

When they heard about his death, the families were shocked and devastated.

"How could somebody so important to so many children, how could this happen," Swolgaard said.

The families say they're not surprised Zevlever stayed in Ukraine instead of fleeing, because he cared so deeply about making sure the children and everyone around him were safe.

"If he was doing anything, it was fighting for people, fighting for children, fighting for his country," Christian Miller said.

The Millers say Serge left a handprint on their family in helping unite them with Elsie and Lottie.

"We'll never be able to show him how grateful we truly are," Christian Miller said.

Without Serge, they worry for the future of so many children still in Ukrainian orphanages and what will happen as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"The children in Ukraine, we're not sure," Christian Miller said. "We're not sure the fate of what's going to happen at this point."

The families say Serge's death has renewed their strength to carry on his legacy and continue advocating for orphans in Ukraine.

"We are just forever thankful for what he did for our family, and that we'll never ever stop advocating for these kids," Swolgaard said.

If you can't adopt, the families encourage people to organizations that are aiding Ukrainians with food, water and supplies.

You can also find more information about how to help through Maya's Hope, which helps orphans with special needs in Ukraine.

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