Although Ukraine is in a state of complete war, residents of the country’s capital Kiev can already live a relatively peaceful life. There is plenty of food and drink in the shops, and the first cafés have already opened their doors.
KIOVA If you can ever rejoice at the return of cars to the center of the big city, now is the time in Kiev.
The Russian army was already invading the Ukrainian capital, but the defense of the million city held its ground.
Now the residents of the capital are starting to get used to the most normal life with careful steps.
Florist Nina Ivanona rejoices that trade has resumed. Money is not the only reason for rejoicing.
– It’s a good sign when people want beauty around them in the middle of all this horror, Ivanona says.
Viktoria Nerovnja sitting with her boyfriend on the terrace of a Kiev cafe in sunny spring weather. Nerovnya has a bad conscience.
– I’m ashamed that I left my beloved hometown as soon as the war broke out.
Nerovnya traveled safely to Khmernytsky, western Ukraine, more than 300 kilometers from Kiev.
– I felt like a traitor when I got back. All my friends had to hear the sounds of the explosions, but I didn’t.
Restrictions will be lifted
In Kiev, there is still a night curfew between nine in the evening and seven in the morning. Alarm sirens sound their warnings daily, but Kiev is no longer under direct attack.
Grocery stores have remained open throughout the war, and now cafes are also starting to open their doors gradually. People go to work and public transport, including trams, works relatively well.
– More and more people are coming back here. It’s safe here now, with soldiers guarding the city everywhere at their checkpoints, he says Ivanwho does not want his last name in public.
Ivan was in his hometown throughout the Russian invasion.
– Yes we were afraid, but the invincible army of Ukraine drove the enemy away.
A native of Mariupol Valeria he doesn’t want to say his last name either.
– Thank God my parents also got out of Mariupol, but the rest of our family stayed there. They are still okay and trying to get out of town, Valeria says.