KYIV, Ukraine — The day began in tragedy for Natalia Panasenko as a Russian bomb struck the dormitory in Zaporizhzhia where she had sought refuge from the horrors of war. The clock on her wall stopped at 1:45 a.m., a stark reminder of the moment her life changed again. Having escaped her hometown under Russian control nearly a year ago, she now found herself buried under debris, her refrigerator and television destroyed, and the floral gifts from her 63rd birthday scattered amidst the ruins. “It was a joyful moment that turned into chaos,” she reflected. “We had just left the conflict behind, hoping for peace, but then the war found us once more.”
On November 11, the day unfolded with violence against the backdrop of Ukraine’s resilience, as the country prepared to mark a sobering 1,000 days since Russia’s large-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. The initial bombings included the one that devastated Panasenko’s home, while another attack in Mykolaiv claimed six lives, including a mother and her three children. By day’s end, another missile strike had destroyed an apartment building in Kryvyi Rih. While some braved the frigid Black Sea waters off Odesa, others soldiered on amid economic challenges, and another life began with the birth of a baby. Soldiers continued to fall, while those who were fortunate began to receive care for their life-altering injuries.
Currently, approximately 20% of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory is under Russian control, and the lines on the map are in constant flux. The closer to the front lines, the more perilous life becomes. In the area known as the Gray Zone, no life can be found; remnants of war leave behind ash-colored homes, scorched trees, and cratered landscapes resulting from over 1,000 days of conflict.
In Odesa at 6:50 a.m., the Black Sea waters hovered at 13 degrees Celsius (55 Fahrenheit) as Dmytro, who preferred not to share his full name due to safety concerns, dove into the waves with a few friends for their habitual swim. The coastline is heavily mined, and the city frequently faces drone and missile strikes, yet Dmytro’s spirit remained unshaken. Before the war, their swimming group boasted several dozen members, but many fled, and some returned with severe injuries. With a stepson missing after combat in Donetsk, Dmytro found solace in swimming, describing the activity as a necessary grounding experience amidst the chaos. “The risks are worth it,” he said. “If you’re afraid of wolves, stay out of the forest.”
Around noon in Zaporizhzhia, Serhii Saphonov managed operations at the Zaporizhstal steel mill, facing daunting challenges due to ongoing war conditions. His team of 420 is barely half of what it used to be pre-war. Power outages resulting from attacks on vital infrastructure require meticulous planning to sustain productivity. Furthermore, the coke mine supplying the plant with coal is under threat from advancing Russian forces. A bulletin board outside his office bears the names of 92 former workers who enlisted in the army, along with photographs of the deceased. Saphonov remarked on the perseverance of his seasoned employees, saying, “They are resilient and carry the weight on their shoulders, knowing that we must endure.”
At 1 p.m. in Chernihiv, Dr. Vladyslava Friz has witnessed an overwhelming influx of reconstructive surgeries over the past 1,000 days, performing more in this short span than in her entire previous decade of practice. The hospital often sees 60 patients arriving hourly, necessitating a relentless pace from the surgical team. On that day, she worked on a patient injured in a mine explosion, emphasizing the crucial importance of visual identity for her patients. Despite her commitment to helping those in need, Dr. Friz expressed concern about dwindling global interest in Ukraine’s plight. “Every day, we continue to lose people, yet the world seems to forget us,” she lamented.
Later that evening in Odesa, Yulia Ponomarenko celebrated the birth of her daughter, Mariana, amidst the ongoing turmoil. Having already welcomed two children into the world during the war, she spoke with joy about her newborn daughter while her husband, Denys, remained at the front. Their hometown had suffered devastating flooding after the Kakhovka Dam explosion, prompting herescape from the Russian occupiers who threatened families of soldiers. Mariana, born healthy and surrounded by love, signifies hope for Yulia and her children. “She is very wanted, and we now have another princess,” Ponomarenko said.
Finally, at 9 p.m. in Kyiv, actors from the Kharkiv theater faced the challenges of wartime displacement as they sought refuge in the Ukrainian capital to continue their craft. Unable to perform at home due to constant bomb threats and dwindling audiences, their spirit remains strong. They managed to attract a nearly full house at the Franko Theater on November 11. One actor, Mykhailo Tereshchenko, recounted, “In Kharkiv, we can only perform underground. There are only two or three venues left.” The director of the Franko Theater, Yevhen Nyshchuk, noted that although the theater paused productions early in the war, attendance has surged, signifying a desire to create and connect amidst turmoil. “Despite everything, we will continue to live, celebrate, and applaud one another,” he asserted.