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Record numbers seek shelter as attacks intensify
Residents of Kyiv braced for impact after Russia warned of escalated strikes on the Ukrainian capital. Over 41,000 people, including nearly 4,500 children, spent the night in Kyiv's metro stations-marking the highest shelter occupancy in recent years, according to the metro authority.
Explosions rattled the city, even shaking those two floors underground. Witnesses reported a relentless barrage: initial missile strikes, followed by drones-likely for surveillance or secondary attacks-and then more missiles. Despite Moscow's claims of targeting military sites, civilians endured the worst of the assault.
Destruction and casualties across Ukraine
At least six people were killed in Kyiv during the overnight attack, while Dnipro suffered heavier losses. Two residential buildings were struck, leaving 16 dead. Across both cities, over 90 people sustained injuries. Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine, also faced strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure, with 10 wounded, including a child.
Other regions across Ukraine reported damage, but Kyiv's Vynohradar district bore the brunt of the devastation. High-rise apartment blocks stood with shattered windows, burnt-out cars littered sidewalks, and smoke hung thick in the air. Locals described hearing at least three massive explosions, with several neighbors rushed to hospitals with severe injuries.
Survivors grapple with loss and trauma
Anna, a resident of a nine-story building near one explosion's epicenter, wept as she surveyed the wreckage. Her car, reduced to a charred shell, was just one of her concerns. "They'll repair the building, but not our souls," she said. "The entire building, the entire country, is in mourning. What did we do to deserve this?"
Emergency responders, psychologists, and volunteers mobilized quickly. Rescue teams checked for survivors, while mental health professionals spoke with shell-shocked residents. Volunteers distributed food and water as police cordoned off high-rises, warning of falling glass shards.
Resilience amid ruins
Even in the hardest-hit areas, signs of defiance emerged. Near Anna's home, young boys helped municipal workers clear rubble from a children's activity center, its windows still adorned with painted purple butterflies. A short distance away, life persisted: children played on swings, seemingly unfazed by the chaos, while road crews repaved streets and buses ran on schedule.
For Kyiv, this was another chapter in a long war. No matter the scale of destruction, the city's rhythm endured. "This is how we cope," one resident said. "We keep moving."
