By Radovan Stoklasa

BRATISLAVA, Reuters – Hassan Al-Khalaf (11 years old) clung desperately to hope as he trekked alone across Ukraine, reaching Slovakia safely after joining thousands of refugees fleeing Russia’s invading of Ukraine.

Hassan was able to arrive in Slovakia early March. He attracted wide media attention because local police had posted the story about him on their Facebook page (NASDAQ:), calling him a “hero” following his journey of train and foot from Zaporizhzhie (south Ukraine) in late February.

Hassan stated that his hope came from her mother, who wanted him to travel. He was speaking in interview ahead of appearing in a pro-Ukraine protest in Bratislava’s capital.

Through an interpreter, he stated that “my hope carried me along my way”.

Russia considers its actions against Ukraine “special”

His widowed mother couldn’t leave him at home so Hassan was sent off on his own to cover the distance of more than 1,000km (620 miles). He will be studying in Slovakia with his elder brother. His only possessions were a passport, plastic bag and his phone number.

This brings us to tears. The biggest hero last night is this,” Slovak police said on March 5, after Hassan was seen at the border crossing.

Hassan belongs to the 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees that fled Ukraine. They have mainly fled to Poland but they also flew to Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania to join the European Union.

In an exodus described by the United Nations as the largest refugee crisis since World War Two, at least 176,000 people have fled to Slovakia from the border.

Hassan expressed his gratitude to volunteers for helping him to see his mom again.

“I believe there will be happy ending.”