“It was one of the worst nights in my life, the scariest. At 2am two loud explosions, windows blown out, balconies fell away.”
These are the words of Liudmyla Vladyna, whose apartment in Kyiv was destroyed just five days ago, reports The Mirror.
She lived in a block on Dehtiarivska Street, close to Lukianivska metro station in the densely populated Shevchenkivskyi district, an area that has been badly bombed multiple times.
Liudmyla’s apartment was damaged on 19 June, just weeks after the area was last attacked by Russian missiles and drones on 24 May, reports The Mirror.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin travelled to Kyiv on the presidential train on Wednesday night, landing for a packed day in the Ukrainian capital.
After meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Fianna Fáil leader met residents in front of their damaged homes in one of the most frequently bombed neighbourhoods in the city, reports The Mirror.
Blown-out walls showed tiles and bathrooms on display as Liudmyla spoke of the devastation of losing her home, but said she was thankful to be alive.
During the Russian attack on the area last Sunday, 17 people were injured and one person, an 89-year-old woman, died, reports The Mirror.
Resident Liudmyla told the Taoiseach: “We survived. Children were not with us, luckily. In the morning it was horrible.
“As it turns out we were not left all alone, people were helping us, reports The Mirror.
“There were so many volunteers who approached each and every one of us, asking, ‘What do you need?’ What can they do to help us? Maybe they can somehow seal our windows.
“There were ambulances offering their services, and we are so much appreciated,” reports The Mirror.
Resident Oleh Kutz thanked the UN Refugee Agency in the aftermath of the bombing which destroyed his home, showing the broken window where a missile blasted the building.
He said: “In that moment, it was extraordinary. It was so important because the worst thing that can happen to you is in a horrific situation like that to be left all alone, reports The Mirror.
“I express my utmost appreciation for the charity and all the donors that help them. It’s so important for people to receive such aid when they are in such pain.”
The Taoiseach thanked both residents for sharing their “horrific experiences,” saying Ireland “remains horrified at the appalling attacks on civilians in Ukraine,” reports The Mirror.
Foregoing his usual suit jacket as the sun blazed down outside the bombed building, Mr Martin said the Irish Government will continue to support the UNHCR.
He continued: “It’s very difficult for human beings to comprehend why a country or why a leader would authorize the bombing of civilian infrastructure and the killing of civilians when they’re asleep at night in their homes and in their apartments, it is truly shocking, reports The Mirror.
“We appeal to President Putin. We say to all concerned, stop the war. Let’s have a ceasefire.
“People should not have to suffer like this,” reports The Mirror.
While life must continue on as normal for many in the streets, tanks and soldiers line the city despite it being 300km from the frontline.
Irish man Marcel Grogan, who works for the UNHCR, said civilian casualties in the city have significantly increased in the first six months of this year, reports The Mirror.
Russia has fired 520 ballistic missiles at the country so far in 2026, which is double compared to this time last year.
Ukraine continues to need Ireland’s help, after the Taoiseach announced €125 million more in aid for Ukraine, reports The Mirror.
Charity worker Marcel told Mr Martin: “I think there’s a sense that the front line is quite static, but in terms of civilian casualties or attacks on civilians, it’s actually increasing in number. So your support is all the more appreciated at this time,” reports The Mirror.
Boarded-up windows were not just seen in the bombed residential areas, with the Taoiseach earlier meeting the chairman of Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, in a building where sand bags fill the lobbies and the windows are boarded up.
The Taoiseach’s last event of the day was a tour of the historic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery of Caves, which was struck by a drone just last month on its Stefanivskyi side after a massive Russian attack on the capital, reports The Mirror.
Four and a half years after Russia first invaded Ukraine, the people and politicians are not giving up, with the tour guide telling the Taoiseach that 80% of the roof was burnt from the attack but the rain had quelled the damage, describing it as “a miracle,” reports The Mirror.
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