Živim u kvartu koji su Rusi najviše puta pogodili. Djeca razlikuju rakete od dronova

Living in a neighborhood that has been hit by Russian missiles more than any other in Kyiv, residents have become experts in distinguishing between drones and rockets. The area, known as Lukyanivka, has endured relentless attacks since February 2022, with its residents developing a keen ability to identify the sounds of incoming threats. Children in the community can differentiate between the drones used by Russia, such as Shahids and Hamers, and rocket launches from systems like the S-400 and the hypersonic missile CircOn. They have even learned to recognize the distinct sounds of projectiles fired from the U.S.-supplied Patriot system, which protects Kyiv from enemy strikes. The latest attack occurred just hours before this report was written, with Russian rockets striking the neighborhood again. Fortunately, the writer’s wife and daughter were away visiting relatives, far from the city center. In the span of 40 minutes, over 40 rockets landed nearby, creating chaos that felt like an earthquake. The physical sensation of the building shaking and bouncing from close-range explosions left many shaken. The local cinema, “Kyivska Rus,” was heavily damaged, a place once filled with children running to watch movies about war. Now, it lies in ruins, a stark reminder of how real conflict has reshaped everyday life. Despite the destruction, life continues in the streets. Markets remain open, selling fresh produce harvested during a bountiful summer. Workers clean up shattered glass and broken concrete while joggers pass by. The metro station near the neighborhood has been closed due to damage caused by a recent strike, leaving the underground passage nearly destroyed and one entrance severely damaged. Nearby, the shopping mall and market have turned into rubble, victims of earlier attacks. The writer struggles to recall exactly when these strikes happened, whether it was July 2nd, when Kyiv was hit by 24 of 74 incoming missiles, or July 6th, when the anti-aircraft defense shot down 37 of 69 missiles, yet some still struck the city. Lukyanivka bears a striking resemblance to Zagreb’s Kvatriča district, where the writer once lived. Both areas feature similar commercial centers, markets with fresh vegetables, and even fast-food restaurants. However, unlike Zagreb, Kyiv lacks a subway system, making the impact of such attacks even more devastating. When a former colleague visited the writer in Zagreb, he praised the choice of neighborhood, noting the excellent parking lot that could serve as a refuge. The writer responded with a dry humor, acknowledging that Zagreb had never faced the kind of true alarm that Kyiv's residents experience daily. In a social media post, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katrine Mather noted that she spent part of the night in a shelter. She described the moment when the first explosion shook the ground, followed by another, then another. People stopped talking, their phones ringing with emergency calls. They simply listened, trying to guess whether the next missile would come closer. She emphasized that this was not an attack on military targets. Fires broke out in residential buildings, supermarkets, offices, and homes. Cars burned on the streets. At least one person died, and 15 others were injured. Meanwhile, Russia launched a drone attack on a passenger train in the Zaporizhia region, though rapid evacuation prevented further casualties. Russian officials claim the attack on the Wildberries warehouse near Moscow was retaliation for previous actions. Yet, questions linger about the true motives behind the assault on the Ohmatdyt children’s hospital in Kharkiv on August 8, 2024, or the broader invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Some argue that Russia does not seek revenge, but rather, continues its campaign of terror. As the writer watches the skyline of Lukyanivka, they know that the battle for normalcy continues, and so too does the struggle for survival.