Following graduation from the Institute in 1940, Khitrova received first prize for her graduation work at the Second All-Union Exhibition and was given membership of the Artist's Union of USSR.
Khitrova attended the Lievov Artistic School until 1941. At the beginning of the German invasion, the painter was evacuated to Siberia. She worked in Novosibirsk and Tomsk, where her paintings appeared at various shows. During this time she participated in the creation of political posters, helping the cause. Khitrova moved into Kharkov, where she worked at studios of the Artists' Union.
In 1945, with the artist's team, she was sent to the Ukranian front line to inspire the soldiers to heroism and to ensure victory. Painting portraits of soldiers, officers and partisans, she subsequently, exhibited a series of war heroes in Kiev. "For Valiant Labor in Great Patriotic War 1941-45," Khitrova was conferred a medal and an honorary diploma, by Pesidium of Supreme Council of Ukraine.
Khitrova skillfuly connected the decorative soundness of palette with realistic form of her works. The compositions are vitally simple and clear for everyone. She also reveals a talent in still lifes, landscapes and subject pictures. Children are found as subjects in her works as well.
In 1983 she was made an Honored Artist of the Ukraine. Contemporaries called her "the painter by god." Khitrova died in 1991. She was buried in Baikhov Cemetry in Kiev.