Yuliia Boiko shares experiences of life in Ukraine amid ongoing conflict

It has been almost a year since Yuliia Boiko returned to Ukraine. “Everything is as good as it can be for a Ukrainian in Ukraine,” she shares via video. Boiko has resumed her work as a meteorologist, adapting to a new routine amidst the ongoing conflict.

While direct combat is several hundred kilometers away, the war influences daily life dramatically. The continuous threat of Russian airstrikes looms large, affecting civilian areas. “We have a war, and that means alarms. I have an app that alerts me, and sirens indicate when we need to seek shelter,” Boiko explains.

In Ukraine, various applications serve to notify residents of air alerts, sometimes even before missiles enter Ukrainian airspace. These systems track the trajectory of threats and send alerts to specific areas at risk. They also communicate information about artillery fire and urban combat. According to expert Emil Kastehelmi, who has used the alert app while in Ukraine, staying connected to these alerts is crucial, even if it means receiving notices at night.

Yuliia’s son, Yaroslav, now nearly three, has not enrolled in daycare since their return due to air raid warnings. Both his parents work, but they prefer to care for him at home. “When an alert goes off at daycare, children are taken to the basement, even during nap time,” Boiko remarks, noting the health issues that arise from prolonged stays in damp shelters.

Despite early struggles upon returning home and the enduring stress, Yuliia finds joy in being reunited with her family. The escalating cost of living and challenges ahead remain, but her prevailing emotion is happiness at being together again.