Ahead of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, YTN reporters returned to the capital, Kiiu.
Even after the front line hardened in the southeastern region, sporadic air raids toward the capital continued, and the downtown area became completely different from before.
We connect reporters out of the country. Reporter Song Jae-in!
[기자]
Yes, this is Kiev, Ukraine.
[앵커]
It is the first time since June of last year that YTN reporters went to Kiiu, the capital city. How is the downtown situation?
[기자]
It was only about 100 days after the outbreak of the war, and in the meantime, more scars were etched in the city center.
First of all, you’ll see a building with the outer wall torn off behind me, so you can see the inside clearly.
It was the building where Samsung Electronics was located.
In October of last year, during a large-scale air raid, Russian forces attacked the thermal power plant opposite and damaged it together.
A city center hotel about 4 km away was completely destroyed on one side by a missile attack on New Year’s Eve.
YTN reporters looked around the city yesterday and could feel the exhibition situation in various places.
In the streets where armed soldiers stand guard, instead of commercial advertisements, government-level posters are displayed thanking Ukrainian soldiers for their hard work.
In addition, YTN reporters also heard an air raid alarm that sounds once or twice a day in the middle of the street yesterday.
Some citizens responded resolutely, but there were also cases where they could not shake off their fear.
[데지아나 / 키이우 시민 : 공습경보가 울리면 여전히 매번 긴장감이 들고 두려워요. 지하철은 도시의 가장 깊은 곳이라 가장 안전하게 느껴집니다.]
[앵커]
It seems that the process of entering the capital, Kiiwu, was still not easy as the war situation continues.
[기자]
Yes, flights to Ukraine are still suspended.
Just like eight months ago, this time the reporters came to Kiu via land from Poland.
I traveled 591km by car from Warsaw, Poland, through the Ukrainian border and through western cities.
Vehicles leaving Ukraine lined up at the border checkpoint, where the security was the strictest.
According to the local explanation, in this case, it was said that it took about 7 hours just for the inspection.
Afterwards, the western cities of Ukraine, where the reporter’s vehicle passed, were not where the front lines were formed, but tensions lingered the same.
Even though it looked like a small rural village, there were armed soldiers and trenches at every entrance.
[앵커]
Regardless of the front, all of Ukraine is still at war.
What is the mood of the citizens?
[기자]
The most common comment from the citizens we met was that war had already become a daily routine and a habit.
It must mean that the wartime situation has continued for a year and we have become accustomed to life in wartime. Let’s listen to the citizens.
[아르뗌 / 우크라이나 키이우 : 두려움은 갈수록 옅어져서 이젠 전쟁이 습관처럼 느껴져요. 공습 경보에도 초연한 마음으로 대응합니다.]
On the other hand, it was also read that they would go beyond familiarity and continue their individual lives even in fear.
In fact, most of Kiiu’s citizens go to work every morning to earn their living.
Most of the doors of stores such as department stores are open, and during the day, they continue to work despite air raid warnings.
In particular, for the past two weeks, the electricity supply has been uninterrupted, raising expectations for a more stable daily life.
One citizen evaluated that the fact that citizens are not swayed by war and keep their daily lives is the result of solidarity and belief in victory among Ukrainians.
[앵커]
Ahead of the first anniversary of the war, US President Biden and Russian President Putin are both planning to give related speeches, right?
[기자]
Yes, first of all, US President Biden made a surprise visit to Kiiwu yesterday.
He met with Ukrainian President Zelensky and announced plans for $500 million in military aid.
In response, Russia immediately strongly protested through state media, saying it was proof that the West was fighting a proxy war.
President Biden, who moved back to Poland, plans to address the Polish people after a summit meeting with President Duda this evening.
Prior to this, President Putin is scheduled to give a state of the art speech on the war, so attention is focused on the counter-messages between the two leaders.
This is YTN Song Jae-in from Kiuu, Ukraine.
YTN Song Jae-in (songji10@ytn.co.kr)
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