From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 951)
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:12
The past few days have been trying for me for several reasons. The reality of the war dawns on every Ukrainian, and it’s especially hard to read heartless speculations of the western media, even if they mean well.
Today is the Day of the Defenders of Ukraine. Every day, we can feel in so many tangible ways that our defenders protect us. In September alone, our air defense forces shot down 1,107 out of 1,339 drones launched. The fact that we can continue our almost ordinary lives proves it is the result of their hard and sacrificial work.
However, our safety comes at a high price.
Exactly one year ago, a friend of mine lost her fiance, who was killed in action.
Yesterday, we found out that another soldier from my grandma’s village, a relative of someone we know, was confirmed dead.
Today, there was a report about 16 captive Ukrainian soldiers executed by the Russians.
So our gratitude is mixed with bitter pain.
If I could talk to people or the media that speculate on the war in Ukraine, I would remind them that we are real people living here.
Voice of Ukraine 