As a teenager, Kyiv resident Oksana Koschel sometimes found herself reading the diaries of citizens living fulfilling lives in wartime conditions.
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“I was so surprised to read everything they were doing,” she explains in the latest episode of Sky News’ Ukraine War Diaries podcast.
“How can you be in a cafe or a restaurant? It’s war…and now you’re like, oh okay – that’s the way they do it! So yeah, life goes on. Besides, life is now.” This is what I try to remember every day.”
Against the backdrop of Russia’s insistence on a temporary ceasefire, the Ukrainian capital Kyiv remains a city where daily life is hampered by the threat of airstrikes and forced blackouts to distribute energy.
Months of missile attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure have cut the country’s energy supply by more than 40%, according to Ukrainian officials.
Listen to other episodes of the Ukrainian War Diaries:
A very Ukrainian Christmas story from a besieged city
Fighting a smart war against Russia
Thermal underwear and toilet pits – Kyiv residents are becoming more resourceful as missiles rain down
In recent weeks and months, Kyiv has consistently found itself targeted more and more. But city companies, and in this case entertainment companies, continue to look for ways to provide their citizens with respite.
Koshel said some theaters could move underground and use explosion-proof infrastructure so they can continue to offer shows.
Koschel booked a comedy night this week to celebrate the birthday of her husband and Diary companion, Seva.
“You can go to the cinema, you can go see a musical or a play, but people are trying to figure out how to find venues that are underground…”
From the creators of Sky News’ award-winning StoryCast, Ukraine War Diary is a weekly podcast that follows those living and fleeing Europe’s new frontline.
Producer: Robert Mulhane
Digital promotion and additional writing: David Chipapak
