{
  "id": 8683100,
  "title": "‘You Can’t Live Underground’: Fatalism and Defiance Define Life in War-Battered Kyiv",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/you-cant-live-underground-fatalism-and-defiance-define-life-in-war",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T12:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Post",
    "slug": "kyiv-post",
    "url": "https://www.kyivpost.com/post/84701"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Air raid warnings blare through Kyiv, prompting citizens to seek refuge in shelters via phone applications. However, on a warm Friday morning in early September, the city’s residents appear unbothered by these alerts, instead basking in the late summer sun. Cafes become gathering spots for conversation over coffee as the warnings are disregarded. The city’s façade seems at peace, concealing the strain faced by its people who strive to maintain normalcy amidst the brutality of war while not succumbing to Russian aggression. Ukrainian drones, piloted by Russia, struck a filling station on the outskirts of the city, causing two deaths and 12 injuries. Since late August, the frequency of Russian attacks has increased tenfold as Moscow intensifies its use of jet-powered drones, rendering attack warnings a daily occurrence. Surviving in Kyiv now means coping with an unrelenting barrage of attacks, and many feel that their lives will end if they heed every warning and retreat to shelters. \"People have become very fatalistic,\" says Natalia, a Kyiv resident and television presenter who sleeps in her bathroom to avoid exterior threats. In the face of constant attacks, the residents of Kyiv are increasingly accepting their fate and searching for ways to endure. Andrii, a lorry driver, accepts the reality of living near a target-rich area, stating that one must adapt to the situation. Despite the fear, Leonard acknowledges the importance of appreciating each day and enjoying life. The same day, in a city center bar, Alona and Vlad, a couple with young children, enjoy a night out, despite the possibility of air-raid alerts and the mandatory 12 am curfew. They believe that living at home all the time is not enough, and they intend to stay in Kyiv over the winter, regardless of the risks. While many like Alona and Vlad plan to stay, others may leave the city due to the looming threat of an intensified Russian attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this winter. The resilience of Kyiv's inhabitants is a testament to their defiance against Russian aggression, as they refuse to surrender to Putin's genocidal approach.",
  "summary": "As Russian jet-powered drone attacks intensify, Kyiv residents increasingly ignore air-raid warnings to preserve a semblance of normal life. With 13 alerts recorded in one day and a harsher winter expected, many fear the pressure could become harder to withstand.",
  "key_points": [
    "Residents of Kyiv disregard air raid warnings, enjoying warm days in cafes.",
    "Russian drone attacks have increased tenfold since late August.",
    "Kyiv residents exhibit fatalistic acceptance and defiance against Russian aggression."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}