in the basement of a maternity ward in Kiev, the routine of war sets in

Since the beginning of the bombardments, five babies have been born in this specially equipped underground shelter: “When we hear the sirens and it becomes dangerous, we close this armored door”explains Natalia, the director of a maternity hospital located in the center of Kiev.

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“Last night three explosions sounded near here and the babies started screaming. We recorded their cries using a telephone“, blows Natalia, the director of the establishment. Since the beginning of the bombardments, five babies have been born in this specially equipped underground shelter. “When we hear the sirens and it gets dangerous, we close that armored door.” she says, in this poorly lit basement.

Around her, several future mothers are waiting alone. Kate, 30, has reached the end of her pregnancy: “My whole family fled to western Ukraine. I refused to follow them, because I didn’t want to give birth on the road. I’m worried. I hope this motherhood will not be targeted.“

“It’s a girl“, breathes, right next door, Ilona, ​​35, her belly also well rounded, who expects to give birth in the coming days Her husband is a soldier: “I’m not allowed to say where she is, but he won’t come for the birth. Natalia will take care of me. He was a mother, a father and a mari” she smiled. “I talk to my baby, I tell him that everything will be fine, that the war will soon be over, that his father will soon be with us and that he will bring us home.“, she concludes.

In these dark corridors, the features are drawn and the anguish is palpable. But on the face of Bogdhan, it is rather the joy that is visible. This 24-year-old young man is one of the rare dads present. Her son Kirill was born two days ago. “It’s the happiest day of my life. It’s a mixture of happiness and joy, I have tears in my eyes”, he smiled.

Before recovering “When we go home, I will join the other volunteers to defend the country.” Despite the Russian determination, the young dad assures him: his son “will live in a peaceful and independent Ukraine.“