From: Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (1289th day)
(Watch with sound)
A beautiful early fall day in the park with our granddaughter brings stark contrasts of two realities.
One reality is enchanting — creativity poured into playgrounds for children, golden sunrays streaming through the trees, peaceful quietness carried on the sound of kids’ laughter, my heart swelling with love and gratitude.
Then another reality breaks in, rudely and relentlessly — the unnerving wail of the air raid siren. Somewhere ruzzian missiles or drones are cutting across the same blue skies, carrying death and destruction. The sirens warn if you hear the wail, you might be a target.
What struck me most was how little the sirens changed life in the playground. Children kept playing, adults glanced at their phones to check whether it was drones or missiles, but no one rushed away. These two realities — life and joy on one side, death threats on the other — have become part of our daily existence for so long that we simply live with it.
Ruzzians terrorize our cities hoping to break us, to force us into submission. But every attack only strengthens our determination — to defend our freedom, to protect our loved ones, and to keep living. 💙💛
Voice of Ukraine 