Hardened by the scars of war, Kiev is pressed against Russia when it attacks – #Hardened #scars #war #Kiev #pressed #Russia #attacks
media, 20 FEBRUARY (Reuters) – One morning in mid-February, rockets Kyiv flying in the sky, a group of medium school the student was leaning against the walls of the metro station, scribbling in his notebook and concentrating on his teacher Olena’s instructions.
In order not to disrupt the lesson with the next attack of the Russians weather when the attack sirens went off, he quickly moved his classroom underground.
“We teach math, biology, chemistry – everything according to the regular schedule,” Olena, who declined to give her last name, told Reuters.
These and similar signs of quiet resilience—whether bars assembled despite the threat of rocket and drone attacks, or guides adapting city tours to the dictates of war— of Ukraine has become more and more common in the capital.
About a year after it began, the Russian invasion turned lives upside down, while also rallying a nation.
In the days following the February 24 attack, much of the city of about 3 million people was locked up or underground because Ukraine army fought against the Russian troops on land and in the air.
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Tens of thousands of people fled the jammed highways and piled onto train platforms.
“Those early days were the hardest,” said Tamara Chayalo, a subway worker who helped build the system into a vast network of shelters. “Everyone was worried.”
He said he hadn’t been home for three weeks.
Ukraine It forced Russia to withdraw, but the city has come under fire again since last fall, when rockets began raining down on infrastructure and other civilian targets.
Russia denies targeting civilians and attacks Ukraine states that it aims to weaken the army.
Weather Amidst the blare of attack sirens and the hum of generators, residents learned to cope with power outages that plunged entire neighborhoods into darkness.
KEVIN’S “MUSCLES GROW”
For city guide Yuliya Bevzenko and her mostly Ukrainian clientele, touring the city’s architectural treasures is one way to keep going in extraordinary circumstances.
On a snowy Sunday in early February, his band of October 10admired the ornate tsarist buildings near the downtown park where the missile strike in 2011 was the start of Russia’s nearly week-long offensive campaign.
Apart from some wooden windows, there are few signs of damage and the playground where the rocket landed has been restored.
“Kyiv it was always … about fun, a sense of relaxation,” said tour participant Svitlana Semenets, 56. “But his muscles grew, he became a little armored.”
Bevzenko also tactfully tailored his tours to include bomb shelters and make small talk with customers — especially after a tragic development — to account for possible mood swings.
His business is growing rapidly. Last year he made 175 tours and April started again in The collective logic is “if not now, when?” issue, he says.
“People want to live”
This thirst for normality is also a feature of Kyiv nightlife, where revelers risk assault and flirt with a 11pm curfew to enjoy cocktails and concerts.
“People want to live, smile, be happy,” said Daria Kryzh, owner of Squat 17b bar and entertainment venue. “Russia will never be able to take it away from us.”
Events there have also been adjusted with the times: Entry fees are up 10With military donations over $0,000 substitute and performances and exhibitions are often associated with the war.
Patrons of Squat 17b 10 They also helped repair the windows of the neighboring museum, which was blown up in the October attack.
Kryzh, 35, said war creates collective power.
“Everybody has their own little list: How have I changed, how have the people around me changed, and what can I do to make things better so we win faster?” he said.
“These new values have emerged that were never apparent before.”
REGISTRATION REGISTRATION
Subway worker Çayalo, when the common soul many residents go underground weather said that it appeared during the attacks. “If people come with small children, other passengers help to look after them.
of Ukraine That unity may be necessary as it heads into a long war marked by devastating clashes like the battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut and Russia’s relentless bombing of Ukrainian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, media reports focus on the impending new Russian offensive, while billboards constantly remind Ukrainians of the sacrifices made by their own troops.
October’s rocket fell child Ksenia Bulhakova happily plays with her son in the playground.
But the fear of a new strike is ever-present, and Ukrainian mothers like her, the 32-year-old said, are dealing with a common thought: “Our children will not be safe until we win.”
Reports by Dan Peleshuk, Yuri Kovalenko and Vyacheslav Ratinsky; Added by Andrii Pryimachenko report; Edited by Mike Collett-White and John Stonestreet
Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
2023-02-20 15:32:32
Source – reuters
Translation“24 HOURS”