Living a Kilometer from a Missile Strike: Olga Sumska Opens Up About Life in Kyiv Under Fire

Olga Sumska Reflects on Kyiv Life After a Devastating Rocket Attack

According to Главком: In the early hours of May 24, a massive ballistic missile assault struck Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, causing severe destruction. Ukrainian People’s Artist Olga Sumska and her husband, actor Vitaliy Borysiuk, live less than a kilometer from the blast epicenter. Sumska recently shared her firsthand account of navigating daily life in a city under constant threat, offering a poignant glimpse into the resilience of Kyiv’s residents.

Targets of the attack included:

• a metro station entrance
• a fast-food outlet
• a local market
• a shopping center

“We live less than a kilometer from the epicenter. Lukyanivka is our home-our market, all those buildings… We ran out of our apartment under the explosions, jumped into the elevator. But it’s not the first time,” Sumska recounted.

The actress noted that vendors had repeatedly rebuilt their stalls, only to see them destroyed again. “Everything burned down once more,” she said. Despite the danger, Sumska and her husband remain in Kyiv due to theater work and touring commitments. “We can’t leave now because we have performances and jobs. Even in these terrifying times, people still find a way to come to the theater, and we are incredibly grateful for that,” she added.

Among those carrying on amid the chaos is a young boy named Lyubomyr, who played the accordion near the destroyed Kvadrat shopping center on Lukyanivka. “I remember his name-Lyubomyrchyk. He was collecting money for vehicles for our defenders,” Sumska said. She emphasized that many native Kyivites refuse to flee, despite the risks. “Where would these people go? They were born here. We have to stay together. Otherwise, what-everyone leaves? That’s impossible, simply impossible. This is everything we hold dear. I’m ready to kiss the chestnut trees.”

Authorities have since issued a renewed warning about the threat of RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missiles, underscoring the ongoing danger facing the capital.

These events highlight the harsh realities and perils Kyiv’s residents endure during wartime. Recovery from such attacks is a slow process, yet locals continue to support one another and uphold their cultural life. By choosing to remain in the city, they demonstrate remarkable resilience and a deep commitment to their homeland-a vital response to today’s unprecedented challenges.

As Sumska continues to share her experiences, her story is just one of many that highlight the resilience of those living under constant threat. For a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by residents like her, you can read more about how she survived the Lukyanivka strike and what life is like amid ongoing shelling in this insightful account.