Before I left Islington for Ukraine, I could have never imagined the experience. The stories of destruction I found are so devastating that I struggle to comprehend how this is happening in the 21st century. Genocide. War crimes. Invasion. Yet, when entering Ukraine back in February, this is exactly what I found.
To get there, I first flew with photographer Paul Grover to the Polish capital, Warsaw, before a nine-hour drive to the border. Then, two hours on to Lviv, a city in the west where thousands of displaced citizens were massed. The threat of missile strikes was constant, coupled with the pressure of getting to our hotel before the curfew. Lviv had been considered the safest place in Ukraine, but the day before we arrived, Russia had fired a missile on the city. It showed how unpredictable this war is and I felt guilt towards my friends and family who were nervously WhatsApping me for reassurance.
Once in Lviv, apart from the sound of sirens, it was hard to believe Ukraine was at war. People hung out in coffee shops and sold tulips on the side of roads. Yet it was inside the refugee centres – the churches offering shelter for the homeless and the crowded train stations where desperate civilians waited – that the true picture emerged.
At an arts centre transformed into a refugee hub providing warm meals, hot drinks and nappies was Anna. The 32-year-old had been excited about her first pregnancy but when the shelling started in the Kherson region, where she lived with her husband, they fled. She refused to let herself cry because it stopped her breasts producing the milk she needed for her newborn. I found myself thinking of one of my sisters; how lucky she was to have had her first pregnancy safely at home, with all the family around her.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 04, 2022-Ausgabe von WOMAN - UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 04, 2022-Ausgabe von WOMAN - UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
The benefits of waking up early
I can almost feel my daughters rolling their eyes at the thought of me writing about the joys of waking up early.
'Rylan makes me MILLIONS!
The presenter talks about his love life, professional success and his alter ego
GATSBY
He needed a home, but was Maria barking to even consider taking him in?
My mindset MAKEOVER
After losing 4st, the future is bright for Hazel James
Eat more WEIGH LESS
Feel fuller while losing weight with our exclusive plan from Slimming World
Autumn tricks YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stop cold, dark nights disturbing your sleep with these expert cheats
'HARRY WILL NOT BE BACK'
Reports of Prince Harry wanting to return to the UK and royal duties are, I’m told, ‘completely wrong’.
'I'M HONOURED to still be part of Strictly'
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke on the hit show and why he'll never retire
Would you keep CANCER A SECRET?
Model Elle Macpherson revealed she kept her battle with the disease hidden - we find out why many others choose to do the same
'Ruth has handled the split WITH DIGNITY'
Coleen Nolan on grief, supporting Ruth Langsford through divorce and moving in with boyfriend Michael Jones