A Ukrainian civilian volunteer, Kateryna Tereshkova, faced a daunting realization on Monday while responding to the latest Russian attacks on Kyiv. She had returned to the same apartment complex she had helped repair just a month earlier following another attack.
“It’s a strange feeling because, you know, you always have hope everything is going to be okay,” Tereshkova, 45, explained. “Usually it can be in one district, but different addresses. But here, it’s absolutely the same location.”
Residents shared their dark humor with her, recalling her past repairs. “People who come to us, they say, ‘Ah, we remember you. You fixed it already on my balcony, but now I don’t have apartments anymore,'” she said. “But, you know, the sense of humor is the main root of our nation.”
The attack on July 6, 2026, resulted in at least 22 fatalities in Kyiv and its surrounding region, according to Ukrainian officials. These strikes exposed vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s air defense systems, highlighting the reliance on U.S. Patriot systems to intercept ballistic missiles.
The Russian Defense Ministry attributed the increase in attacks to retaliation against Ukraine’s recent long-range strikes.
Tereshkova and her team had barely completed the response to previous shellings when the latest attack occurred. “We just had one and a half days for sleeping,” she noted. “We’re still feeding firefighters who were trying to fix the fuel station from the attack four days ago.”
Previously an executive in Kyiv’s restaurant and nightlife industry, Tereshkova has volunteered since Russia’s initial invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014. She dedicated herself full-time after the broader invasion in 2022.
“It’s an algorithm now. It’s the same every time,” she said about her response to attacks. Her assistance typically involves clearing destruction, removing broken windows or doors, and using plastic film and wooden panels. This work aims to help residents live under normal circumstances until government compensation allows for full repairs.
Despite the fatigue, Tereshkova remains focused on her volunteer efforts. “I feel tired sometimes, but I don’t know how it’s working for me. I think it’s like my destiny and my way because I’m not burning inside. I don’t let my hands fall down. I’m always ready to continue.” She occasionally visits her old nightclubs to recharge but insists, “I just need, from time to time, to have some sleep.” After resting, she continues her work with renewed vigor.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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