A 2-hour air raid alert continues across the country… “Can you believe the armistice declaration of a country that launches missiles day and night?”
Citizens take New Year’s commemorative photos in front of the tree… For a while, ‘relaxation and tranquility in tension’
Around noon on the 6th (local time), when the temporary ceasefire order issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Russian military to celebrate Orthodox Christmas was in effect, I visited the city center to read the expression of the capital Kieu .
It is the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year that President Putin has ordered a full-scale ceasefire on the military, albeit for a “limited time” which lasted 36 hours since noon to 7.
The war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than a year, celebrated its 317th anniversary on the 24th of next month, one year before the outbreak.
However, as if reflecting the sentiment that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed as “camouflage” the day before, there was no expectation or turmoil and the reaction in the streets was cool.
The fear of air raids was still present and, indeed, distrust and hostility towards President Putin only grew in the wake of the ceasefire order.
Citizens accused Putin of failing to stop attacks on Ukraine.
Christina, whom we met at the TSUM department store on Kreshchatyk Street, a busy road in Kieu, said: ‘Russia is trying to stop the advance of the Ukrainian army under the pretext of a ceasefire and to move weapons and soldiers mobilized from Russia to Ukraine.”
“Putin will also try to create an excuse to accuse Ukraine of not wanting peace and oppressing Orthodox Christians,” he said.
Sasha, a member of the group, also said: “I don’t believe Putin’s words.
“Russian forces have suffered very heavy losses and will need some rest to prepare additional troops,” he said.
“Putin will not stop fighting,” he said, “his goals do not change.
It is to destroy the whole of Ukraine.”
After the war, the number of foreign customers dropped significantly, and most shops were silent on this day, with only clerks holding their posts.
Ludmilla, employed, could not let go of her son who was fighting on the eastern front.
He said, “I heard that rockets flew into Kramatorsk where my son is,” and added, “Everyone wishes for peace.
I hope no one gets hurt and comes back safe and sound.”
On the news of Putin’s ceasefire order, he said, “I can’t know what exactly,” but said, “I don’t believe anything politicians say during the war.”
Even the townspeople who came and went on the surrounding streets were busy somewhere, indifferent.
Mr. Ostaf, an employee guarding the empty cafeteria, said: “Russia is firing missiles day and night.”
“At times like this, we need to be vigilant and pay more attention to safety,” he added.
Most of the citizens who met the journalists spoke of the difficulties of living after the bombing or stressed their will to win, but replied that they did not consider the news of the ceasefire order important.
Indeed, even after noon on the 6th, the beginning of the ceasefire established by President Putin, air raid alarms were raised throughout Ukraine, including Kiiu.
The alarm that went off at 12:45 lasted almost two hours, until 14:38.
Even in the midst of all this, citizens were seen celebrating New Year’s Eve and finding some free time, even in the midst of war, by taking commemorative photos in front of the tree installed to celebrate New Year’s and Christmas on January 7th.
A close vigilance was maintained throughout Kieu, but the city remained so calm even amidst the tension that we forgot for a moment that we were at war.
However, like other European weather this winter, it has been relatively mild.
In particular, a dove, a symbol of peace, gently perched on a stroller posing in front of a tree amidst a temporary ceasefire, eloquently expresses the hopes of the citizens of Kiiu for an “end of the war” and a true restoring daily life even in the midst of a war that has lasted for almost a year seemed to go well
However, on the Eastern Front, however, artillery fire continued at key points such as Kramatorsk and Bahmut.
Russia insisted on respecting the ceasefire, but Ukraine fired back due to a pre-emptive strike.
/yunhap news