Thousands have slept in metro stations across Ukraine to seek shelter. Many people fled after the Russian invasion.
KIEV – Thousands of Ukrainians spent last night in subway stations to protect themselves from Russian bombs. In the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, four metro stations have been designated as air raid shelters, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Thursday. He appealed to all citizens to get to safety. Photos show how people seeking protection spend the night in the subway stations. Among them are many families with children.
Photos from the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine * also showed people with blankets lying on the floor of a metro station. Many had water bottles and food with them.
Ukraine war: explosions in Kiev – streets are deserted
Several explosions shook Kiev on Friday night (02/25/2022). Among other things, a multi-storey residential building on the east bank of the Dnipro River was hit, where fire broke out. The city administration announced on Telegram that debris from a rocket had hit there. Three people were injured.
Kharkiv Subway tonight. Like something from the Blitz in London during WW2. Shocking. Where on earth will this all end? pic.twitter.com/zjryDyIna7
— Dan Rivers (@danriversitv) February 24, 2022
The streets in Kiev were almost deserted in the evening, reported a correspondent for the German Press Agency. Only a few cars were seen on the streets. From 9 p.m. there was a curfew for the first time. Nevertheless, Kiev was still illuminated as usual, including sights such as the St. Sophia Cathedral, which is under UNESCO protection, and the Golden Gate. Together with his brother Wladimir, Vitali Klitschko sent out a cry for help across Europe.
Ukraine conflict: After attack by Russia – 100,000 people flee
According to preliminary estimates by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), around 100,000 people are fleeing in Ukraine. “There has clearly been significant displacement within the country and there is movement towards borders and abroad,” a UNHCR spokeswoman said on Thursday evening.
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, tweeted in the evening that more than 4,000 people crossed the border from Ukraine on Thursday. The government set up reception camps near Palanca and Ocnița. “Our borders are open to people from Ukraine who need a safe stay or want to transit,” she wrote on the short message service. (Sarah Neumeyer with material from dpa) *hna.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
Picture list: © Emilio Morenatti / dpa
