The inhabitants of Vasylkiv probably had not assumed that a war would occur in their homes so soon. But the presence of an airport and a military base in this small town made the war quicker. The Russians dropped airborne units there, and intense fighting for the city began.

The basement of the local community centre was turned into a shelter.

Volunteers built plank beds for two days to provide residents with at least the minimum living conditions. They also run a beanery and a distribution point.

At night, the shelter is filled with people.

During the day, if there is no shelling, it becomes empty. People go out to take care of their affairs. Some for work, if they still have one. Others to see the sky and get some fresh air. There are also fewer and fewer people every day. Living conditions become increasingly difficult to endure, and people decide to migrate. But not everyone.

Mother and daughter watch movies on a smartphone. Fortunately, the internet still works, killing boredom in this dark space. Mother and daughter watch movies on a smartphone. Fortunately, the internet still works, killing boredom in this dark space.

Father is a military man at the airport, so they won't leave. Their house has been hit, and their daughter is afraid to return, so they have lived in this shelter since the beginning of the war. Once, they went to see what their house looked like. They found a stray dog and took it with them to the bunker. They called him Victory. Now they have an excuse every day to go out for a walk.

In another room are moms with several children, including a one-year-old boy, maybe a little older. They do not plan to leave because they believe it will not change their reality. They are afraid of an unknown and uncertain future in a foreign country. At least they are at home.

One boy is a little troublemaker. Mother happily says that he likes it here. She laughs, saying she has no doubt he would like it.