Almost a year since the Russian invasion, sirens, shelters, and blackouts have become normality for residents in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv
But days without outages and a change in the weather have offered some respite for those whose lives have been changed, including Sky News Ukraine War Diarist Oksana.
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In the latest episode of the podcast, Oksana expressed her joy at there being no power outages on four consecutive days earlier this week.
“It just feels so amazing to not have to frantically plan your day according to the blackout schedule,” she said.
“All the work calls. It’s just so normal for people in our part of the world to enjoy, you know, full days with electricity and the power supply, and then it suddenly gets taken away from you.
“So kudos to all of our electricians and to all of the people who make the energy system work, no matter how hard our enemy tries to destroy it.”
She also tells listeners about what else she has to look forward to this month – nearly a year on since the illegal Russian invasion – as she prepares to be reunited with someone special, her best friend, after many months apart.
Oksana’s husband, military volunteer Seva, has now returned from eastern Ukraine, where Russia’s latest major offensive began last weekend. He reflects on what the daily bombardment means for him.
“It is really strange to say, but we get used to the war. We get used to everyday air alarms in the city. We get used to missile attacks. Our life has been changed, but I believe the whole nation has managed to do their best, to do our best in order to get our victory. We all hope that within this year, this war will be over. We will see.”
But, as some military analysts have suggested, the outcome of this war could depend on who can get their hands on munitions the fastest – as fears remain over whether Ukraine’s allies can supply enough to meet demand.
When it comes to the actions of Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy though, Ukraine War Diarist Ilyas has only praise right now: “He plays a great role here in our country to unite all the people. What he does is absolutely great. His politics and his international achievements and his recent visits to the UK, to France, and especially he’s the first president who had an audience with the King of Great Britain. All of this in complex is a great move.”
He admits “I’m not a huge fan, but I think for the past 30 years, he’s one of the best leaders of Ukrainian nation. And the fact that he stayed in Ukraine, he’s always here. That really helps.”
From the creators of Sky News’ award-winning StoryCast, Ukraine War Diaries is a weekly podcast following those living on Europe’s new frontline, and those who have escaped it.