"Waiting for signs of life": The displaced people who fled Kiev hared their loved ones Israel today

The Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital this morning (Saturday) led to a wave of hard-to-view photos and videos of a street fighter and bombed-out buildings.

For someone who left the city less than 24 hours ago, the hard documentation from the burning streets is like a knife stab in the heart.

"My husband is there with my parents," shares Tanya, who is making her way to the west of the country with her 3-year-old son.

"I know he's doing everything he can to help our army and neighbors. He's such a guy who never misses an opportunity to help."

Fighting forces on the streets of Kiev, demolition following the bombings // Photo: Reuters

Ukrainian woman flees to Poland with her baby daughter, Photo: Reuters

Oksana, who is traveling with me to the Romanian border, says that her mother, who remained in the southeastern city of Zaporizhia, returned to operate her small stand in the local market.

"She refuses to accept the change the war is bringing. She tells me about the bombings in the city and what was damaged, but as if it does not concern her. Maybe this is her way of being patriotic," says the worried daughter.

Kiev residents flee to an underground shelter in the capital, Photo: AFP

Kiev resident after shelling in Ukrainian capital, Photo: IPI

The calls heard from my travel partner's phone line are disturbing and raise the level of anxiety among the DPs I am with.

Olga, who lives near the city zoo, told her friend: "Residents prepared Molotov cocktails and the army was deployed near the metro station. All night there were shelling and one of the buildings in my neighborhood was hit."

When the company asks her if she is interested in leaving Olga answers in the negative: "This is my house, where will I go from here?".

Members of the Ukrainian defense units are equipped with ammunition in Kiev, Photo: IPI

Moments of optimism are recorded when Ivan, the group leader, solemnly announces that all the members who have enlisted in the fighting forces are healthy and intact.

"Everyone contacted me. They use my office as a place to rest when they are not on assignments. It's a huge relief," he tells me.

Then, he helps me translate President Zalanski's speech - and smiles.

"There's no doubt the war is doing him a great service. He's definitely an outstanding player, a great presidential player," Ivan says with a wink.

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