‘It’s not just about surviving’: the Ukrainian frontline city where life goes on under cover

In Kherson, Ukraine, a frontline city under constant threat from Russian forces, daily life continues for its 60,000 residents, including 5,000 children, primarily underground. Crisis psychologist Galyna Lutsenko, herself a victim of shelling, provides therapy to children in a basement shelter that also hosts activities like yoga, dance, and crafts. The city's streets are fortified with boarded-up windows and anti-drone nets due to its proximity to Russian forces across the Dnipro River. Despite the dangers, residents strive to maintain a sense of normalcy and community, focusing on living and feeling rather than solely surviving. Kherson was liberated by Ukrainian forces in 2022 after nine months of Russian occupation.

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