A family's desperate bid for survival as Russian drones target the port city of Odesa. For Mariia, Serhii, and their nine-year-old daughter Eva, life is a constant struggle to cope with the relentless barrage of drone strikes and power cuts that are crippling the region's economy.
The 16th-floor flat in a high-rise block overlooking the calm waters of the Black Sea now serves as a makeshift bunker for the trio. When Russian drones come close enough to be heard and seen, they take shelter behind the wall-length windows, watching as fires engulf homes and buildings below.
Eva has grown up learning the shapes and sounds of the objects that zip through the sky on a daily basis. Her parents worry about her mental health, but she remains eerily calm. "The shelling isn't scary as this cold is," she says when asked how she feels about the constant threats to their home.
As temperatures drop to -1C, supplies remain severely disrupted, and families like Mariia's struggle to cope with the lack of heat and power. The region has been hit by ballistic missiles, leaving a crew member injured on a civilian ship.
For Oleh Kiper, the regional government leader, it is a personal mission to sever any perceived remaining ties between Odesa and Russia. He champions the usage of Ukrainian in a city where Russian is still widely spoken and has made it his duty to rid local authorities of any street names or monuments that could be linked to Russia's imperial past.
Kiper sees the resistance he meets from Odesites as a sign that they are proud of their heritage, and he believes this is what will ultimately lead to a Ukrainian city. "The enemy is doing far more than we are to ensure that a Russian-speaking city becomes Ukrainian," he says defiantly.
As temperatures drop further, Odesa continues to face the threat of crippling blackouts and air raid alerts. With Russia's escalations against the region, its people remain in constant fear for their survival, wondering what other measures will be taken by Moscow to cripple this crucial part of Ukraine.
The 16th-floor flat in a high-rise block overlooking the calm waters of the Black Sea now serves as a makeshift bunker for the trio. When Russian drones come close enough to be heard and seen, they take shelter behind the wall-length windows, watching as fires engulf homes and buildings below.
Eva has grown up learning the shapes and sounds of the objects that zip through the sky on a daily basis. Her parents worry about her mental health, but she remains eerily calm. "The shelling isn't scary as this cold is," she says when asked how she feels about the constant threats to their home.
As temperatures drop to -1C, supplies remain severely disrupted, and families like Mariia's struggle to cope with the lack of heat and power. The region has been hit by ballistic missiles, leaving a crew member injured on a civilian ship.
For Oleh Kiper, the regional government leader, it is a personal mission to sever any perceived remaining ties between Odesa and Russia. He champions the usage of Ukrainian in a city where Russian is still widely spoken and has made it his duty to rid local authorities of any street names or monuments that could be linked to Russia's imperial past.
Kiper sees the resistance he meets from Odesites as a sign that they are proud of their heritage, and he believes this is what will ultimately lead to a Ukrainian city. "The enemy is doing far more than we are to ensure that a Russian-speaking city becomes Ukrainian," he says defiantly.
As temperatures drop further, Odesa continues to face the threat of crippling blackouts and air raid alerts. With Russia's escalations against the region, its people remain in constant fear for their survival, wondering what other measures will be taken by Moscow to cripple this crucial part of Ukraine.
. It's not just about the physical danger they're facing, but also the emotional toll it's taking on her 9-year-old daughter Eva. The fact that she's still calm and matter-of-fact about the constant threats is a testament to the resilience of humanity. But what's even more striking is how Mariia's story highlights the importance of community and support in times of crisis 
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. It's okay to be proud of your heritage and your roots, but it's also essential to recognize that growth and progress often come from embracing the complexities and nuances of our history.
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I mean, I've been following this situation and it's just heartbreaking. These poor families are living like prisoners in their own homes, with no heat or power and having to deal with constant drone strikes. 
It's not fair to Mariia and her daughter Eva at all. And what about the kids who don't even understand what's going on? They're growing up in a war zone and it's just devastating 
. Kiper sounds like a good leader, though - I love how he's trying to preserve Ukrainian culture and language in Odesa 
. We should all be supporting Ukraine right now 
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. I mean, can you even imagine having to watch your home get destroyed from the safety of your own apartment window? 
. I mean, who wouldn't feel scared or traumatized in those circumstances? But she's just chillin' over there like it's no big deal 
. Poor kid needs some mental health support ASAP 
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, a 9-year-old girl stuck in this bunker with her parents? That's just heartbreaking 
Can you believe these politicians think a simple rename of street names is gonna save lives? Like, dude, I've seen more convincing efforts from my aunt's attempt to redecorate her living room 
. And what's up with the Ukrainian government trying to erase Russia's history? It's like they're trying to rewrite history books instead of finding actual solutions to the conflict 
. Meanwhile, people are literally freezing their butts off and struggling to survive. Priorities, guys? 
the situation in Odesa is absolutely heartbreaking. I mean, a 9yo girl watching her city burn on TV and still managing to keep it together is just...wow 
. I mean I get it, Russia's actions are unacceptable but 9-year-old Eva shouldnt have to grow up with this kind of trauma 
it's amazing to hear about Eva being so calm about it all, but at the same time you can't help feeling for her and her parents 
maybe that will be the key to Odesa becoming a strong Ukrainian city 
but it's not just about politics, it's about the people living there who are suffering 
I hope the international community can do something to help these families and support Ukraine in this difficult time 
I don't know how much more she can take. Her parents are worried about her mental health, and honestly, who wouldn't be? The lack of heat and power is bad enough, but the constant fear... it's like living in a nightmare.