I rest tonight.
In the heart of Ukraine, Kyiv endures its fourth summer of war. Amidst the ongoing conflict, the city's residents have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, as they navigate the constant threats and attacks that plague their daily lives.
One of the most significant challenges faced by Kyiv's residents is finding safe shelter during air raid alerts. Makeshift shelters for civilians have become fairly common, due to the frequency of air raid alarms and the concerns about the safety of official shelters. Metro stations, while widely used as official shelters due to their hardened underground protection, are not always accessible or trusted by everyone. As a result, civilians often seek shelter in any available hardened structures away from windows, such as basements of residential buildings, reinforced rooms, or specially designated community shelters if available.
To cater to this need, the Panther Foundation supports independent and critical journalists on-site and in exile through the "Journal of War and Peace" project. Freelance author Vasili Makarenko, a participant in an Eastern Europe workshop of the Panther Foundation, is one such journalist, documenting the realities of life in war-torn Kyiv.
The city is under attack at night, with Russia using drones and missiles to target Kyiv. Despite the constant threat, many residents are more worried about missing the curfew than a possible attack. Millions of people in Kyiv sleep in various public spaces due to safety concerns, as the city recovers by morning and continues to fight for a somewhat normal life.
The "Two-Wall Rule" is a guideline on finding the safest place in a house during an attack, involving two stable walls between oneself and the street. This rule, along with the understanding that the first wall dampens the force of an explosion and the second protects against flying debris, has become a crucial piece of knowledge for Kyiv's residents.
However, not everyone follows this rule. Some residents prefer to sleep without the constant reminders provided by the "Air Alarm" app, choosing instead to trust in the Ukrainian air defense and their own instincts. The speaker, for instance, does not go to a shelter, as they don't live near a metro station or trust the existing shelters.
In an effort to evoke empathy and support during the large-scale invasion, Ukrainians have created videos showcasing shelling of European cities. One such video, released with the motto "Today it's happening to us, tomorrow it could be you," aims to highlight the shared humanity and vulnerability that transcends borders.
Despite the ongoing conflict, life in Kyiv continues. Residents turn off their phone notifications during sleep, a common practice for residents of peaceful cities and countries. Meanwhile, millions of people sleep in various public spaces, seeking safety and a semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos.
For those who wish to support independent journalism in war-torn regions, donating to the Panther Foundation is an option. The foundation financially supports journalists working on-site and in exile, providing them with the resources they need to document the truth and bring it to the world.
As Kyiv continues to fight for its survival, the resilience and adaptability of its residents shine through. Despite the constant threats and attacks, they continue to live, work, and strive for a better future.
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- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Kyiv, Ukraine, have led to a significant increase in the need for independent and critical journalism, with organizations like the Panther Foundation supporting freelance journalists such as Vasili Makarenko to document the realities of life in the city.
- As the city faces constant attacks and residents navigate safety concerns, many have turned to general-news sources like the "Two-Wall Rule" and the "Air Alarm" app to help them navigate the threats and find safe shelter during air raids.
