Writing in Times of War: Oleksandr Mykhed on Losing Ukrainian Books to Russian Bombs

In late August, Ukrainian cities face relentless Russian drone and missile attacks, disrupting daily life.

Air raid alarms occur frequently—up to 13 times a day, lasting over 14 hours in total.

State institutions, schools, and businesses close during alarms, leaving no time for normal activities.

Children miss classes, and public services like hospitals stop functioning.

Even during daylight, attacks target critical infrastructure, such as a university in Kyiv that was struck by a drone.

The constant threat of explosions forces people to live in a state of heightened alert, where survival becomes the primary focus.

This prolonged exposure to danger reshapes what is considered 'normal' in these regions, as people adapt to a life where danger is an ever-present reality.