In Kyiv, Ukraine, Anastasiya Sereda paints a chubby-faced panda dressed as a Ukrainian soldier, inspired by a photo of her boyfriend Bohdan, who was killed on the front line almost a year ago. Sereda, part of an art class for women bereaved by war, tries to capture her boyfriend’s humor and heroism, expressing her emotions on canvas.
Many Ukrainians grapple with a mix of emotions – grief, anger, humor, defiance, and fear – as they confront a new phase in the war, increasingly concerned about international support. Despite worries, they remain resolute in driving out Russian forces and determining their country’s future.
The conflict has intensified, with Russia pushing to seize territory before fresh arms reach Ukraine from a $61 billion U.S. aid package approved in April. Air-raid sirens are common, and attacks often hit civilian areas. Valentyna, who works at a power station hit by Russian missiles, helps make camouflage netting for troops during air alerts.
Kyiv, once again bustling, shows resilience amidst war, but reminders of the conflict persist, like the yellow and blue flags in Independence Square and the memorial wall at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. Solidarity has emerged, bringing together people from various backgrounds, turning civilians into soldiers.
While many Ukrainians worry about the future, they focus on the tasks at hand, as the situation remains unpredictable. Olena Herhel, a participant in the “Alive, true love stories” art project for war widows, reflects this sentiment, saying, “There is no point in making plans, because no one can say what will happen tomorrow.”