It’s glorious sunshine and warm spring weather in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Out in the streets you can see many who have adorned themselves in beautiful, traditional clothes. Many women, but also some men. This day is actually a holiday in Ukraine. People put on the Vyshivanka embroidered shirt, which is part of the Ukrainian national costume. But the celebration of what should really be a pleasant day stands in stark contrast to what happened last night. Once again, the inhabitants of the capital have woken up after a night of Russian rocket attacks. – Our national garment unites and affirms us. It shows that we strive for victory, says Ukrainian Lilia, whom news meets in the center of Kyiv. Together with friends and colleagues from work, she is out to mark what is called Vysjivanka Day. Vysjivanka Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of May every year. The group of friends that news meets in the center of Kyiv have also dressed up. Photo: Torstein Georg Bøe / news Ukraine: 30 Russian rocket attacks Behind the celebrations, she and the other Ukrainians live an everyday life characterized by fear and uncertainty. Last night, Russia fired 30 cruise missiles at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian authorities. Ukraine claims they managed to shoot down 29 of them. A cruise missile hit the port city of Odesa. One person was killed and two injured there, according to the authorities. The attack lasted for many hours. The alarm went off at 9pm on Wednesday, and continued until around 05.30 on Thursday. In the capital Kyiv, anti-aircraft defenses were used to shoot down Russian rockets. Falling debris from the rockets sparked two fires in the east of the capital, according to the city’s authorities. Photo: Stringer / Reuters news’s team in Kyiv heard several bangs during the night. It was probably Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles that shot down the Russian cruise missiles. This is the second airstrike in a few days. Also on Tuesday, there was a Russian rocket attack on Kyiv. – From the beginning of May, there have been constant attacks with all possible weapons, says Ukrainian Lilia in Kyiv to news. – There is an attempt to kill us with rockets and drones. We feel it almost every night, during the day it is quiet. – We hardly sleep at night. For the children, it is very difficult. They don’t wake up when they have to go to school. It’s horrible when windows and walls shake and vibrate, says Lilia. – We feel it almost every night. During the day it is quiet, Ukrainian Lilia tells news about what it is like to live with the danger of constant rocket attacks. Happy for air defense – Of course it’s horrible. I expect that the Russians will continue to attack us, says Igor Kuzmenko, whom news also meets in Kyiv. According to the Ukrainian authorities, they managed to shoot down almost all of the Russian cruise missiles on Thursday night. – It gives some optimism to see that the air defense is now working much better than six months ago, says Kuzmenko. – I hope that eventually we can shoot down all the rockets. Igor Kuzmenko says he hopes that the international community will get involved and start negotiations between the parties. Photo: Torstein Georg Bøe / news Natalja: – Heavy when the rockets fall Ukrainian Natalja is also part of the group of friends news meets in Kyiv. – It is always very heavy when the rockets fall on us. She has also decorated for the day of celebration with flowers in her hair and the traditional, embroidered Vysjivanka shirt, as a well-known symbol of Ukrainian culture. – I hope the war ends soon. That we win. We have a great country, says Natalja. – We try to fight against the inner fear and support those who stand around us, says Ukrainian Natalja to news after the rocket attacks against Ukraine. Also listen:
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