Early Thursday morning, the attack on Ukraine began in full force from all fronts. Norwegian Tonje Shvets (22) from Askøy lives in Kyiv – and woke up to a bomb blast.
– I have been quite stressed the last few hours, but it is a little calmer now, Shvets says when TV 2 makes contact on Thursday afternoon.
– Tonje Shvets (22) works as a freelancer in Kyiv. Photo: Private
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It was Bergensavisen who mentioned the case first. Shvets lives on the outskirts of Kyiv with her husband Vladislav – and has lived in Ukraine for three years.
On the night before Thursday, the 22-year-old put on the idea that the next day would be a normal day at work.
– It was a late night, so I was petty annoyed because I thought there would be little sleep on me before work. At half past five my roommate woke me up and said “now it has started”.
Woke up to a bomb blast
Shvets first thought that her husband Vladislav meant attacks on other cities in Ukraine – not his own hometown. But then the ash weather began to hear queens outside the apartment.
– I was pretty shaky. We could do nothing but get online to read the news. There we could read about explosions in several places in Ukraine, she says.
Askøyværingen describes the atmosphere in Kyiv as stressed and restless. Several are in the shops to stock up on goods. Photos also show long queues of residents trying to flee Kyiv. The traffic is toll-free.
– Traffic out of Kyiv is blocked. Photo: Emilio Morenatti
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Shvets tells TV 2 that she hears several sounds of helicopters outside her apartment.
– I get quite a stomach ache when I hear sounds. Then I get splashed, but now it is fortunately calmer, she says.
Do not go to Norway
Shvets is still in his apartment in Kyiv with her husband. The plan was first to go to a smaller town, but that plan they have to abandon.
– ESCAPE: A woman is waiting for the train out of Kyiv. Photo: Emilio Morenatti / AP
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– Previously, I suggested going to a smaller town, but there are many small towns that are attacked. which I did not think would be attacked. The one town we were planning to go to was suddenly evacuated.
– Right now we have no plans to go, because we have nowhere to go, but it is possible we are thinking of going west in Ukraine.
When asked if the 22-year-old intends to leave the country, she answers:
– No, I will. My husband is conscripted, so he can not leave the country. I also have two animals that I am very fond of, that I do not want to leave. I would rather find us a safe place.
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