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Blitz spirit in Kyiv as heat, light and water supplies are knocked out for days | World News


The host of a conference in Kyiv informed the guests that air raid sirens were sounding, before assuring them that they were safe and the event would go ahead as planned.

It’s a small example of how people get through Ukraine are learning to deal with the unpredictability of war while getting on with their lives in an endurance test that compares – in its spirit – to what the UK went through in the Blitz live Second World War.

Stepping onto the stage at the Kyiv Security Forum, amid air strikes, was Vitali Klitschko, the city’s major.

He is overseeing the support of the people at a critical time after several Russian missile attacks on energy infrastructure since the beginning of October.

Last week, they shut down the supply of lights, heat and water to much of the capital for up to two days – a devastating taste of how dire the situation could turn out, if more attacks were to come. will cause even more serious damage when winter comes.

Mr Klitschko said he wanted to be blunt about the risks, telling the audience that Kyiv residents needed to prepare for a variety of scenarios “even the worst-case scenario” – long-term power outages.

Power cuts have increased in frequency in recent weeks
Picture:
Power cuts have increased in frequency in recent weeks

He offers this advice: “Stock water, non-perishable food, and warm clothing. Also, anyone with friends or relatives living in rural areas far from the city should talk to them and willing to move there if necessary, if conditions permit.” worsen.”

Later, when asked by Sky News if he was worried that Russia could freeze residents in the city to death with missile attacks, he said the top priority was to be prepared.

“The main target of the Russians, we know, they try to destroy our infrastructure, our critical infrastructure, they want to freeze us. But we have to be prepared for any case, as well as for [a] worst case scenario,” he said, speaking in English.

“That’s why everyone in the city government must know what we have to do in an emergency situation, how to help the people because it will [a] disaster if the Russians completely destroy our infrastructure. It will be [a] humanitarian disaster.”

Local food market in Kiev
Picture:
Local food market in Kiev
Local food market in Kiev

At the same time, he emphasized the people’s determination to endure: “It’s our city, it’s our home. We don’t want to leave. The Russians try to bring boredom to their citizens. I… I talked to our people. They were angry and ready to stay and fight.”

On whether what the people of Kiev are suffering can be likened to the spirit of the Blitz, the mayor said: “It is [a] The situation is quite similar [to the] World War II in London.”

That defiant spirit was on display at a local food market, where shoppers jostled from stall to stall with near-normality – despite Russia knowing that an attack could be launched. New rockets at any time.

Halyna and Georgii Bohun said they had not left Kiev since the first day of the full-scale invasion on February 24.

They liken their country’s experience – in terms of continuing despite the danger – to what people in the UK felt during the Blitz.

Halyna, 60, a pharmacy worker, said: “We thought: if they survive such a bombardment, we will also survive.”

Her husband even compared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Winston Churchill.

“Sometimes they even use the same words, even the same mind,” said Georgii, 73, a retired energy worker.

The couple said they had enjoyed a lull in the rocket attacks over the past week, but were ready for worse to come.

“We’re not afraid,” Halyna said. “Whatever comes will come. But we are for freedom and only for the victory of our country.”

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