‘People are literally afraid to sleep’
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Natasha Suslenko, a Ukrainian national, woke at 4:45 a.m. on Friday to the sounds of bombs dropping and sirens sounding across Kyiv. To be safe, she was forced to take her stuff and go into the basement garage of her building.
Suslenko from Kyiv stated that they just changed their clothes and then went to the car park. Family members often make occasional visits to their homes to rest and take a nap during the winter because of the freezing temperatures. The Kyiv metro is now used as an enormous bomb shelter and thousands of people sleep there.
Suslenko ensured that all the important documents belonging to her family were taken by Russian soldiers invading Kyiv on Thursday.
“Some people have left the town,” she stated. We decided to remain because our one-year old son was a little too small. It’s quite difficult. More than 100,000 people have fled Kyiv so farYou can either go west, or try to flee the country entirely. She stated that outward-bound traffic can be backed up miles by “so countless, many cars,” much like zombie movies.
The defense ministry of Ukraine stated that Russian reconnaissance troops reached Kyiv within miles on Friday evening. It reported that “Strikes against Kyiv continued with ballistic or cruise missiles”
After Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a military operation against eastern Ukraine in Kyiv (Ukraine), February 24, 2022, people took refuge in subway stations.
Viacheslav Ratynskyi | Reuters
Russian forces attacked many of Ukraine’s airports and passengers flying over Ukrainian airspace were stopped completely. While videos of Ukrainian airbases and civilian areas that were hit with bombs or missiles by Russia are widely shared on social media, it is difficult to confirm specific reports.
While Western leaders warned about a Russian invasion months ago, President Vladimir Putin began to build up his troops along Ukraine’s borders. Putin dismissed and laughed at Western claims, but he made a passionate case for “demilitarization” of the country early Thursday morning after denying its statehood. At least 200 Ukrainian civilians and soldiers have died so far, as Ukrainian forces fight back against Russian troops, who also suffered casualties in their hundreds.
‘I feel helpless’
Andrii Suslenko, Natasha’s husband, checks his smartphone nine hundred miles to the south in Cyprus. He had just left Ukraine for work and now he is stuck without a way to get home.
He said via video that he felt helpless as he was there and his wife, and that it was a very difficult, emotional situation. As a consultant and business coach, he continues to help his clients in Ukraine with their crisis management. He also worries about his parents who live in Kyiv together with his wife.
Suslenko explained that Russia’s unexpected invasion had devastated his family. It was unexpected that they would be 65. For months my mom had been in denial, thinking, “no, it’s unlikely to happen”. It was amazing.”
The news stunned the world, and followed protracted NATO-Russia negotiations over security demands — like Putin’s demand to prevent Ukraine from ever joining the 30-member alliance and to make the group revert to its 1997 parameters — that NATO leaders deemed to be unacceptable.
Analysts believe Putin demanded these things knowing that the West wouldn’t agree to them. This was in order for his government’s recognition in Ukraine of the People’s Republics (or Luhansk) of the two Russian-backed territories. Putin has long held that Ukraine — a democracy independent for 30 years — belonged to Russia and that the dissolution of the Soviet Union was the “greatest catastrophe” in history. He strongly opposes the EU’s westward shift toward NATO.
“We will not give up”
Olga Pereverzeva, an elderly woman from Ukraine, sits in the hallway of her entryway. It is the most secure place in her house because there are no windows. “It’s unsafe to sleep near windows,” she stated.
There is nowhere for you to hide. Ukraine’s entire territory is being attacked
According to her, she has been hearing bombings for two days and believes that many have fled the area, although most of them are still there. She had gas, water and electricity as of Friday night, just like the other residents in Kyiv who spoke with CNBC.
We are holding onto hope. We don’t lose hope. CNBC interviewed her to say that we believe in our army. They are heroes.
Ukrainian troops ride in tanks to reach the frontline with Russian forces at the Lugansk area of Ukraine on February 25, 20,22.
Anatolii Stepanov | AFP | Getty Images
According to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been able to repel several Russian attempts at taking territory or some airports. They also have taken down many Russian fighter and helicopter aircraft despite being heavily outgunned.
Pereverzeva stated, “But,” “But, we would be grateful to the world for more help.”
Liza Borysova (a Kyiv native) has made an arrangement with her best friend that they will call each other in the event there is an alert from an air force. This warning can often be received through Telegram channels.
She said that people are afraid of sleeping because they don’t know when bomb warnings will go off.
Russia on its own
NATO leaders made clear that their forces will not be sent to Ukraine because it isn’t a member. Ukraine has its weapons and financial resources, which means it is independent.
While the U.S., Europe and other countries have issued new sanctions against Russia, analysts and Ukrainians agree that they are not as severe as possible and won’t stop Putin. Russian markets rose on Friday as local relief indicated that Western punishments have been less severe than feared.
A screen depicts world leaders in a video-conference with NATO members, held at French Army Headquarters in Paris on February 25, 2022.
Michel Euler | AFP | Getty Images
Andrii Suslenko spoke out, saying that Western partners are “losing trust” in him. He wants more weapons, money for Ukraine, and sanctions against Russia that would cut off the SWIFT payment system. We would like more action. This is not happening. Our resources are very limited.”
The encouragement by the government to create “territorial defence units,” has led civilians to take up arms. The same day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that anyone who wanted to defend the state would be given a firearm, more than 10,000 people signed up for the defense unitsSuslenko stated.
He said, “They are ready to defend it. It is incredible to see.”
“This, this is what Ukraine is all about. They’re volunteering, supporting,” he stated. We’ve witnessed it numerous times over the 30 years.
One of the volunteers, armed with an AK47 rifle, guards a major road that leads into Kyiv, February 25, 2022.
AFP | AFP | Getty Images
The government of Ukraine announced that males between 18 and 60 years old are now prohibited from leaving the country. They must remain and fight. The new conscription law has elicited emotional videos of parents and spouses separating.
Analysts in military have been surprised at Ukraine’s resistance to Russian advances thus far. There are worse scenarios, with the possibility for more casualties or prolonged fighting. Ukrainians vow not to quit.
Natasha Suslenko stated that “The Russians attack Kyiv from all four directions, but our army fights back,” We are all united in our desire to make our country great.
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