Recently, rocket attacks on Kyiv and the region have been taking place almost daily. Find out more about how Kyiv residents live during enemy attacks

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In May of this year, Ukraine experienced eleven massive shelling. And every time, the Kyiv region was under threat. Intense shelling does not stop the life of the Kyiv residents: although people hide in shelters at night, they return to work and their daily routines during the following day.

How does Kyiv live today?

3.6 million people currently live in Kyiv, a figure that is nearly equal to the pre-war level. The war doesn’t stop the citizens from returning home, so life in Kyiv revives.

The capital of Ukraine continues to thrive actively, as both the Ukrainian people and the business sector play a crucial role in stimulating the country's economy. Earlier, we told you how many people currently live in the capital.

Life under the slogan Glory to the Air Defense Forces!

After the shelling goes off, Ukrainians go back to sleep or proceed to work with gratitude to the anti-aircraft defense.

As dawn breaks, life becomes colorful again. On May 18, Ukrainians celebrated Vyshyvanka Day, so people dressed in traditional clothes filled the street and public transport. As you can see, the Russian horde cannot break our national spirit and take away what is embedded in our DNA. That morning, like many others, the people of Kyiv realized that they see their city intact only thanks to the defenders.

Follow the link to find out if the residents of Kyiv were frightened by the intense shelling and whether they are going to leave the city.

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Subways, basements, toilets and other shelters for Kyiv residents

Life in war demands constant vigilance. The majority of Kyiv residents know which danger signal cannot be ignored. Ukrainians remember the past year: alarms interrupting the working day in the fall, while in the winter there was shelling several times a month. Nowadays, every air alarm is taken seriously. The tactics of the Russians don’t change, as they attack virtually by schedule.

Every time an air danger signal sounds, the people of Kyiv go to a shelter. With children, pets, or alone - everyone is looking for a safe place to wait out the shelling.

Some stay in the corridor with pre-prepared water, snacks, and water bottles, while others leave their homes for shelter.

Since the first days of the war, the Kyiv metro has served as a shelter for Kyiv residents and guests. As a shelter, the underground works around the clock. The Kyiv metro shared the statistics: on the night of May 18, more than 7,700 people, including almost a thousand children, were hiding in the underground. In total, more than 50,000 people have been hiding in metro stations since the beginning of May.

Citizen support and swearing in chats

Chats in messengers become active during air alarms. Neighbors, colleagues, or strangers begin to communicate to live through the air raid together. Such dialogues are platforms for seeking reassurance, wishing Russians "happiness and health" or praising the Air Defense Forces.

Also, chat moderators often start fundraisers for military purposes.

Business in a new way

The war has been going on for over a year, so businesses adapted to the new reality. Many restaurants and beauty salons have opened premises with shelters to provide services despite the air alert.

Blackouts during the winter have forced business owners to buy generators to ensure electricity is available. Ukrainians came to cafes and shopping malls not only to buy things or have lunch but also to work.

For more than a year now, Ukrainian entrepreneurs have been suffering huge losses and facing new challenges on a daily basis. Read how Ukrainian business is surviving the war and how it is adapting to the new realities here.

Photo: Getty Images

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