The story of a Kyiv couple whose apartment was destroyed by a Russian missile – photos

On 24 May, a missile struck an apartment building in Kyiv's Lukianivka district. Diana and Serhii lived on the eighth floor of the building. The couple managed to escape, but their rented apartment was completely destroyed and they lost almost everything they possessed.

Source: Diana Sapozhkova in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia (Life)

Details: Diana, 24, said that on the night of the attack, her mother called and urged her to go to a shelter because of the threat of a Russian strike.

The couple took their savings and made their way to a shelter. But because it was so hot and the shelter was overcrowded, Diana and Serhii decided to go back to their apartment.

Quote: "We went back upstairs, and I'd already changed my clothes. Then we heard a drone approaching. After a while we heard the first powerful explosion – that was probably when the market was hit. We could hear gunfire, and we decided that we should at least go down to the ground floor.

As soon as we got there, the first missile struck. The fact that we survived is truly a miracle. Thank God, we both walked away without even a scratch."

Details: The Russian missile struck the apartment building at around 04:00. The couple's apartment and the one next door were the most badly damaged.

Quote: "Everyone started shouting that the building was collapsing and we had to get out. I warned the others: 'It's a brick building, it won't collapse, but there could be another strike, so we mustn't go outside.' And it was a good thing I said that, because there really was a second strike – on the building next door.

After that, we ran outside, walking over rubble and chunks of brick. As we were running, I noticed flames coming from our flat on the eighth floor."

Details: The air-raid warning was in effect until morning, and the couple spent the entire time in a shelter. They only saw the full extent of the destruction in news reports.

They were able to return to their apartment several days later. By then, only the walls remained. They managed to salvage some of their belongings among the ruins.

Quote: "It was difficult to watch them clearing out our flat. The emergency workers were shovelling away our burnt belongings along with the broken glass and bricks. And I watched as our things fell to the ground.

For example, a dress I wore to Ukrainian Fashion Week. At first it got caught in a tree, then it fell to the ground and was buried under chunks of brick."

Details: The couple are currently staying temporarily with relatives in Kyiv Oblast. But it's a long commute for them from there, so they are looking for a new place to live.

Quote: "We both work a lot, and we still haven't had time to fully process what happened. Work helps keep us going mentally, so it doesn't feel quite as overwhelming. We joke that at least we won't have to spend much time packing for our next move."

Background: A theatre, a philharmonic hall, two museums, a library, universities, a church, a monastery and various listed buildings were also damaged in the Russian attack on Kyiv.

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