“How can you not be afraid?” in kyiv, residents panicked after the latest Russian bombings

Ukraine accuses Russia of “deliberately” bombing “residential” areas, after Tuesday’s strikes on residential buildings in kyiv and Karkhiv.

The inhabitants of kyiv are bruised after the Russian attacks on the morning of Tuesday January 2. Moscow launched new massive strikes, notably on kyiv and Kharkiv, in which at least five civilians were killed and at least 100 people injured. Ukraine accuses Russia of bombing “deliberately” areas “residential”. Franceinfo went to kyiv, to one of these areas where the population is panicked.

At first we only see the thick cloud of white steam released from the burst hot water pipes which rush down the icy streets of kyiv. Then there is the smell, the gas, the smoke. A small army of rescuers clears the debris in front of the immense bar of gutted buildings. At 7 Koudriachova Street, the facade has almost completely disappeared.

“I have nowhere to go.”

From the street, you can see the fifth floor of the building as if it were a theater stage. An old brown sofa, a television and a balanced green plant: this is what remains of the apartment of Olga, an old lady with a panicked look. “I’m very afraidshe confides. How not to be afraid? Everything is broken, we can’t go back… Let these Russians die!” The old lady lets out an insult then continues: “Imagine the state we are in. My neighbor is all bloody, her child is with her. I have nowhere to go… Where are we going?” “At my house”replies her friend, who came to support her.

Everyone here looks stunned, filming the building as if they didn’t believe it. All blonde, Nastya widens her eyes. “We have good news today: we are alive”, she puts things into perspective. Victor, too, films the scene. The building in which he lives is intact, right on the corner of the street, right next to the house with the roof crushed by rocket debris that he heard fall this morning, almost above his head.

“I feel pure anger”

“We took shelter near the elevator shaft, says Victor. The house was shaking, it was scary… The same thing happened four days ago: missiles very close, shot down in mid-flight. So this is not the first time. I feel pure anger. I’m too young to fight, I’m not 18 yet, but I hate these people, I can’t understand why they do this.” Victor, however, calls himself lucky. This evening, he will sleep at home, or rather on the landing, near the elevator shaft, almost resignedly awaiting another night of terror.