As the days drag on, the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues in spite of a pile of sanctions and condemnations from nations all around the world, with even the notoriously neutral Switzerland adopting sanctions against President Vladimir Putin, freezing his assets. Hope has remained among Ukrainians and their many supporters as Russian forces have reportedly been “frustrated” by the fierce resistance in the country they’re invading, but the onslaught continues and the situation on the ground has been terrifying, to say the least.
The most recent news includes Russian bombings of a TV station in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, killing five and knocking out their ability to report to the Ukrainian people, as well as the Babyn Yar memorial site where 30,000 Jewish persons were murdered by Nazis the last time someone attacked Kyiv. Rockets also struck an administrative building in Freedom Square in Kharkiv, a residential district of the city.
Russia has now been widely accused of war crimes after multiple bombings of civilian buildings such as apartments, houses, and even hospitals. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the country, but many more remain, huddling in bomb shelters at night as the attacks continue day after day. Though stories of heroes and inspiring resistance have emerged from the horrors, it’s important to remember that there are real people out there who had no say in this war and just want it to stop.
If you need a reminder, here are 25 snapshots of what it’s like in Ukraine right now: