Under FPVs and glide bombs, life clings on in Zaporizhzhia
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Zaporizhzhia Oblast — In Kosmichnyi, the most heavily bombarded district of Zaporizhzhia, children play at a park. Some run around in camouflage clothing, while others laugh as they go up and down a slide. Suddenly, the buzzing sound of a drone fills the air, replacing the sounds of joy on the playground. "It's a Shahed!" one of the children yells. They run to hide under the nearby…
Zaporizhzhia, a city in southeastern Ukraine, continues to be a place where people have made their home despite the ongoing conflict. The city, known for its industries, is now a hotspot for Russian drone and bomb attacks. In the heavily bombarded district of Kosmichnyi, children play at a park, seemingly oblivious to the danger surrounding them.
However, one six-year-old girl, Veronika Didenko, remains cautious, having become accustomed to the sounds of FPV drones and Russian glide bombs. The city has seen a surge in such attacks since June, with Russian troops targeting various landmarks, including gas stations, bridges, and residential buildings. Veronika's mother, Yuliia, is raising their daughter on her own after losing her husband to military service.
Veronika's resilience is evident as she interacts with her environment, seemingly unfazed by the danger. However, the constant threat of these attacks leaves residents like Liudmyla Pavelko, a 77-year-old retiree, feeling uncertain about their future. She was injured in a recent glide bomb attack, and now she is unsure where she will go next. The situation in Zaporizhzhia is a stark reminder of the ongoing war and its impact on civilians.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
