Abroad|The Russian attack
Shops in Kiev have closed and people are seeking protection in metro tunnels.
Kiev is like a ghost town, says a photojournalist working for Helsingin Sanomat Niklas Meltio From the northwestern edge of the Ukrainian capital on Friday.
“Air alarm sirens always ring at times. I haven’t seen the Air Force planes in the sky today, ”says Meltio.
Only a few Kievans now pass through the city, and much of the shops are closed. People have applied to metro tunnels for protection from possible bombings or otherwise remain indoors.
Stores closed in Kiev.
Meltio has been following life in Kiev since the 2013 demonstrations in Maidan Square and is considering changing the city.
“For the last five, six years, this has been like any Central European city. A couple of days ago, people were still celebrating here. ”
The center of Kiev has not been bombed so far, but Russian soldiers are around the city. Russia has allowed civilians to leave Kiev and is urging Ukraine to lay down its arms. Meltio estimates that if this does not happen, Kiev will be bombed. It is not known how long Russia will wait.
“There’s a tough car rush away from the city. There are also a lot of people at the bus stations. ”
Read more: What does it look like when the war begins? Photographers Kalle Koponen and Niklas Meltio monitor people’s preparations for uncertain times in Ukraine
People land on the subway sheltered from bombings.
Kievans Bogdan, 24, and Helen, 23, sheltered from the metro station.
Families stay underground for hours.
Illia, Solomia, Yulia and Andrew remain underground for the time being. When the firing is over, they might go home.
Waiting for hours underground is exhausting.
The subway station acts as a bomb shelter.
The couple is sleeping in a shelter.
People sleep side by side next to the subway station floor.
Natalia found a resting place next to the wall.
Many come with camping equipment.
Some sleep, some supervise.
Sirens howl outside, people stay protected.
The girl brushes her hair at the subway station.
When there comes a quiet moment, people get out of the bomb shelter for tobacco or to bark oxygen.
People fleeing Kiev.
The streets of Kiev are deserted.
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