Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
I wanted to write a story that walks you through what it feels like when the city gets massively bombarded, as it did last night.
The sounds, the tiny physiological responses, the feelings — here’s my best attempt:
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •It’s always been part of our goal to show what it’s like to live in #Ukraine right now.
I’ll give it a try.
Imagine you’ve had a long day of work, and you’re able - finally - to retreat to a comfortable position on your bed, under the covers.
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •As you close your eyes, your mind races through all the flotsam of the day.
You fend off the stresses and spare details, one by one, until slowly… your facial muscles relax… your mind slows… and you begin to drift off…
Unfailingly, this is exactly when an air raid alarm sounds.
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •But you don’t need to hear even a second of it to identify what is happening: your body is conditioned to anticipate danger immediately.
Your baseline intensity has been elevated for months. Your shoulders are tight, and your eyelids have even begun to twitch unexpectedly at times.
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •Air alarms rotate to life, starting with a low and grinding quality, then opening up to a bold and undiluted, blaring sound.
From that initial whirling sound, you know what it is — it’s why you’ve begun to hate the sound of those damn accelerating motorcycles and cars.
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •Immerge yourself into the reality of life in Ukraine now to understand it better – read the article through the link!
counteroffensive.news/p/newsfl…
NEWSFLASH: Russia's revenge
Tim Mak (The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak)Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •NEWS OF THE DAY:
This night was tough for the whole Ukrainian team, here’s how it went for some of us:
Mariana, Creative Editor:
"Being under constant attacks in Ukraine, I eventually stopped reacting — falling asleep peacefully to the orchestra of explosions..."
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •Nastia, Reporter:
“I heard the drone flying around, but my roommate Sashka and I are really used to that sound, so we just tried to sleep. Suddenly, the sound became unbearable and louder with every second..."
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •RUSSIA AIMS TO CUT UKRAINE OFF FROM BLACK SEA: Russia is planning to create a 'buffer' zone in northern Ukraine and then move south to completely cut off Ukraine's access to the Black Sea, according to a top official in Ukraine’s Presidential Office, Politico reported.
politico.com/newsletters/natio…
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •UKRAINE LAUNCHED PREEMPTIVE STRIKE AGAINST RUSSIA: Ukraine struck several Russian airfields overnight before Russia launched one of its most powerful air attacks, the Kyiv Independent reported.
Ukraine attacked Engels and Diagilevo airfields. Both are key to conduct air attacks.
kyivindependent.com/preemptive…
Ukraine strikes Russian air bases in 'preemptive strike' ahead of drone, missile attack, General Staff says
Tim Zadorozhnyy (The Kyiv Independent)Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •GERMANY SCRAMBLES PLANES OVER RUSSIAN INTEL: A Russian reconnaissance plane was spotted in the Baltic Sea yesterday, prompting Germany to scramble two fighter jets, the European Truth reported with reference to DPA.
eurointegration.com.ua/news/20…
Німеччина піднімала винищувачі через розвідувальний літак РФ над Балтійським морем
Європейська правдаTim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •Curious for more untold stories from Ukraine?
Join our 150k community from all around the world in supporting groundbreaking journalism
Follow along through the link in bio!
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The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack
www.counteroffensive.newsTim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •Today we have an unusual animal of war – a ferret! His name is Stitch: just like the cartoon character, he cannot sit in one place and bites a lot.
Tim Mak
in reply to Tim Mak • • •See the reality of the war
Subscribe to The Counteroffensive to discover real stories told straight from Ukraine.
Catch more exclusive insights through the link.
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The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack
www.counteroffensive.newsFunGuy2PlayWith
in reply to Tim Mak • • •A good YouTube channel #ThinkUkraine documents some of the life of an average Ukrainian.
"Widow of a military pilot, I'm an ordinary teacher in Kyiv sharing the truth about life during the War. With two kids by my side, your donation to #ThinkUkraine fuels my mission. Help me amplify the voices of those living through the chaos. "
This one is from 25 May 2025, the day Kyiv turned (approximately) 1543 years old.
youtu.be/36lDYOuhLRw?si=WEqgU_…
News Update from Kyiv, Ukraine - Kyiv Day and Russian Missile Attack
YouTube