Kyiv Residents: Let Lukashenka Be Damned By God!

A report from the streets of the Ukrainian capital.

Around 15.00 in the part of Kyiv, which is located next to the Obolon metro station, everything is relatively calm. The city seems to be quiet. There are people in a panic, but basically only rare explosions and queues at ATMs, in stores and at gas stations show that the war is underway. There are even people who, despite everything that is happening, are just relaxing in the park. This is a report from Zerkalo.io from the streets of the Ukrainian capital on the first day of the war with Russia.

Early morning near the local shop

Olena Oleksandrivna, 76.

The woman is holding two large bags of food in her hands.

"I woke up at about five in the morning, heard bangs. First twice, then again. I looked outside and saw nothing. I didn’t figure out what it was, and turned on the TV," the woman says. "They have already said that drones were flying, and these explosions were shooting them down," the interlocutor continues and admits: she is not going to leave Kyiv — she has nowhere to go. "Whatever is destined to happen, will happen. I bought food in case there will be a poor supply. The excitement in the stores is terrible. I think [after] they surrounded Ukraine and put equipment [nearby], we need to bomb them so that they do not climb further, but our army did not respond, so probably this is what’s happening now."

A queue at the ATM

Ihor, 37

"Everything is very scary. I work for a private company, and I'm currently awaiting instructions from my superiors on what to do next. I'm not going anywhere in the city myself. The main thing for me is to take out and protect my family, I have a one-year-old child," Ihor describes his situation and notes: he did not serve in the army, but he is ready for mobilization. "I have never dealt with weapons, I will act depending on the circumstances."

Iryna, an employee at a Kyiv kindergarten.

"We didn't prepare for war, and I'm not ready now. We said, what's the point [withdrawing money], how are we supposed to hide in the bunker with money? Who needs money. For everyone now the main thing is to save their family. I immediately told my family: "I have a dog, I will stay at home." But the family, which is now in Kyiv, is without money, so it needs to be taken off the card," the girl says and notes: she has long collected an alarming suitcase with documents. "I bought food, but minimally, is it possible to stock up for a lifetime."

The woman saw a map of bomb shelters, but she does not hide that she is skeptical about this. For all the people of Kyiv, she believes, this is not enough.

"In general, they shouldn’t have disarmed the country like that. We are not prepared [for war], there are no bomb shelters in the kindergartens. Civil defense has been around for a long time. Patriotism is a very relative concept. What is it for, if the country is a mess?" continues Irina, who tries to keep the whole conversation as optimistic as possible.

"About 15 minutes ago an explosion was heard, were you scared?"

"In the morning, when the news poured in from all areas, it was terrible. Panic is a great weapon too," says the interlocutor. "I work in a kindergarten. It was terrible when in the morning everyone began to correspond [about the war]. [We practiced situations] what to do, how to take in children if [the war happens, and] we are all at work. But today, there’s martial law, and everyone stayed at home. Parents who do not work in medicine and transport sent messages like "We stay at home". No one knows what will happen next.

In the park

Despite everything that is happening, we meet a young family, about 30 years old, walking slowly through the park, as well as a company of 35-40 years old — a man and two women drinking beer on a bench. They introduced themselves: Mykhaylo, Svitlana, and Tetyana.

When asked how they manage to be so calm, Tetyana replies:

"Why panic? To wind yourself up and not live today? Maybe I won't live tomorrow, but I will live today."

"We are not going to leave. We stay in Kyiv, the we feel calm," Svitlana supports her and says that they moved to the capital from Slavyansk, where they had already "experienced it" once. "Now we hope for peace. Until recently, we did not believe that there would be such a situation as tonight, so we did not prepare. I went to the store today at 11 pm, when the hype passed. Bought everything I need, but not for the whole week. I hope all will be fine. I hope that the parties will become friends, and they will not have enough impudence to attack the civilian population."

In the city

Olha Vasylevna is sitting on a bench, feeding pigeons. I introduce myself: "I am a journalist from Belarus." In response, I hear: "What have you, Belarusians, done? We trusted you!"

"We prayed to God for Lukashenka, God damn him. Kolya needs to be sent to the front, like his father sends others [...]" the woman does not hold back her emotions and says that she was at the store. She bought butter and vegetable oil, sugar, flour, cabbage, and food for cats. When asked if she was scared, she answered: "Why should I be scared? I survived the war in the Soviet Union. I am a daughter of an enemy of the people. Dad was imprisoned in 1943, when he was at the front. […]. Stalin died, he was released."

"Aren't you worried about the children?"

"One of my sons died in Chechnya, the other too. I only want one thing from God. Lord, if you exist, hear me, punish them, this Lukashenka."

"You yourself are not going to leave Kyiv?"

"And where to? I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren here."

"Did you see where the nearest bomb shelter is?"

"What bomb shelter? What should I run away from? I will stay at home. Our walls are strong."

The administrator of one of the small supermarkets said that a flow of people began in the morning. By 11.30 there was still minimal bread on the shelves. There are problems with deliveries today. According to him, the administration of the store held a briefing with employees. Everyone is worried, but they are working. The management is monitoring the situation. If it escalates, the store will be closed, there is a plan for the evacuation of personnel. People are worried, but they work.

Iryna has just left the hospital, and her son meets her from there. The woman has a lot of things, but, she jokes, this is not a disturbing suitcase. The interlocutor seems to have a great sense of humor, so I ask: "How are you feeling?"

"Close to hysterical," she replies. "We just still don’t believe what is happening. I hope the politicians will agree on something in the end. Now let's try to withdraw money.

"Is this your son? How old is he?"

"He's 20. It’s scary, of course, [that they might be drafted], because this is a war," Iryna answers and says that she’s not going to leave for another country yet.

"Have you checked where bomb shelters are?"

"We will go to the dacha near Kyiv, if anything, because sitting in a high-rise building is not an option. Today, when we heard the roar at 5 in the morning, I felt uneasy. Now I'm going home to my husband, when the whole family is together, it's much easier."