From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 1320)
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
Psalm 20:5
Last night, we went to bed in the hallway because of the air raid and large groups of drones in the Ukrainian skies. There was a warning that strategic bombers were likely to be active at night. We expected the night to be loud.
I woke up a couple of times in the middle of the night to check the news, but I only had the energy to check if anything was coming at Kyiv. I woke up in the morning with a surprised realization that there had been no explosions the night before, but the warnings had to be true. My sense of relief was mixed with guilt once I opened the news.
Lviv was under the largest attack since the beginning of the war. 140 drones and 23 missiles (of the 496 drones and 53 missiles launched) targeted Lviv and its suburbs. This amount is overwhelming for any kind of air defense, so the city suffered greatly, yet the most affected are the hearts of our people.
A direct hit on a private house on the outskirts of Lviv killed an entire family, including their 15-year-old granddaughter.
It is so tiring to realize that it wasn’t you this night, but you’re not immune to becoming a target tomorrow. And it’s not because you deserve it, not because you offended someone or did something wrong. It’s because your very existence is offensive to your insane neighbor and its brainwashed population.
How I wish we could have our normal lives back. With walks in the parks when leaves turn yellow, with apple pies in the oven, with quiet nights and no need to feel worried or guilty because you live.
All the while I’m talking about civilians and people living far from the frontline, but the truth is that four years ago, the majority of our defenders used to be civilians. They used to take family walks in the park. They used to have office jobs. They used to have dreams. How much more do those who risk their lives on the frontline and their families long to have their “normal” lives back!
There are more reports of surveillance drones flying over Europe and airports being closed and airplanes being rerouted. NATO is traditionally concerned and consulting on the matter. The only difference is that it’s not happening in remote Ukraine but is right under its nose now. They continue to believe the lie that appeasement and not looking up will help them. Meanwhile, the russian economy is spiraling down and could collapse any minute if serious sanctions were taken, but no one seems to feel the urgency.
I keep praying for the war not to spread beyond Ukraine and for russia to stop being a threat to anyone.
Voice of Ukraine 