February 24 marks four years of war between Russia and Ukraine. Air raid sirens continue, and drones buzz overhead. This war has taken its toll on Ukrainians, and many are anxious, exhausted, and depressed. Long winter nights without electricity make the situation worse.
A rebuilding project this winter helped to repair an apartment building that was damaged by a drone one night. The blast broke most of the windows on one side and ruined doors, walls, and items inside.
Asleep in the apartment, Oleh and Olena never heard the drone coming. They awoke to a thunderous explosion, windows shattering, and a gas line outside bursting into flames. Oleh was injured, so they called an ambulance. “I don’t even know how we survived,” Olena said. “It was terrible; everything was shattered.”
When she tries to sleep at night, Olena still seems to hear explosions, even when it’s quiet outside. Her voice quavered as she relived the painful experience, but she is grateful no one was killed.
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