How this teen fled Russian occupation to become an unassuming hero in Ukraine

Ivan Sarancha, 18, who left Luhansk after 11 years of living under occupation, stands in front of a memorial for the fallen at Maidan Square — where the pro-Europe uprising known as the "Revolution of Dignity" took place in February 2014 — in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 26.

An 18-year-old from Russian-occupied Luhansk tells NPR how and why he escaped to Kyiv.

(Image credit: Anton Shtuka for NPR)