Tala Kalatai Shares Story of Her Mother's Rescue
The mother of Ukrainian TV host Tala Kalatai narrowly escaped death during a massive Russian strike on the night of July 2. She had taken shelter in a cellar—her first time doing so since the early days of the full-scale invasion—and neighbors helped pull her to safety. Kalatai confirmed that the family home was left uninhabitable due to the attack. In a rare bright spot amid the devastation, she also reported that her dog was pulled alive from the rubble.
Deadly Assault on the Capital
The assault on Kyiv involved a combination of drones and missiles, causing damage across multiple districts, including:
- Shevchenkivskyi
- Desnianskyi
- Pecherskyi
- Solomianskyi
- Holosiivskyi
- Darnytskyi
- Sviatoshynskyi
According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, the death toll from this attack has risen to 20 people.
“We are still trying to process this. The dog was pulled from the rubble—alive. My mother’s house is no longer livable. I think this is her second birthday. I can’t describe it any other way. She was in the cellar, and that saved her life. It’s absolutely shocking,” Kalatai said.
She added that she will not share further details until official sources confirm them: “I’m not posting any videos or photos. I just can’t. Physically. This is truly horrifying.”
In response to the tragedy, July 3 has been declared a Day of Mourning in Kyiv.
This devastating event underscores the relentless danger facing Ukrainians amid ongoing attacks, which inflict not only physical destruction but deep emotional wounds. Beyond the grim statistics of casualties and damage, stories of survival like Kalatai’s mother highlight the resilience and mutual support that sustain communities in wartime. The official day of mourning reflects the profound grief and loss that Ukrainian society continues to endure as the war grinds on.
As the situation in Kyiv remains dire, similar incidents have also affected prominent figures in the city. For instance, the apartment of famous singer LAUD was damaged during the recent attacks, illustrating the widespread impact of the ongoing conflict on both civilians and public personalities alike. These events not only reveal the physical destruction but also the emotional toll on the community.