The sirens in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev have been wailing more frequently for a few weeks, especially at night. This has consequences for people – psychological and physical.
An ordinary afternoon in Kyiv. Crowds of people are strolling around in a central square when an air raid alarm sounds out of nowhere. Most don’t go to the nearest shelter, as if anticipating the alarm will be lifted a short time later this time.
Sirens have been ringing more frequently in the Ukrainian capital for several weeks – especially at night. In May in particular, this was followed by sometimes massive rocket or drone fire. In June at least the shelling eased off a bit.
Shelters sometimes far away
Resident Sasha refrains from going to shelters: “I deal with it normally, it doesn’t bother me that much. I feel sorry for those who are constantly under fire and die for nothing.”
The next stable shelter – a subway station – is far away for them anyway, says Sasha. Some, but not all, deal with the threat of missiles in Kiev as calmly as they do.
“The alarm affects sleep”
Svetlana tells that her eight-year-old granddaughter often needs reassurance. She herself takes a pragmatic approach to air raid alarms – but she also feels the physical consequences of the night-time attacks.
“Right now I’m staying indoors and making sure I’m protected by several walls. The alarm has a huge impact on sleep. Sometimes the body is so tired that it just shuts down and you sleep through the night despite the alarm. Of course it’s not good.”
Victor put it similarly. He also often feels tired at the moment, he says. Mentally he can deal with the sirens. But he also observes that others are less able to deal with it.
“In the beginning, my wife and my sister took sedatives. I can deal with them better. It’s particularly difficult for those who fled and come back. An acquaintance of mine hasn’t been here since the second day of the war. She came back in the summer, heard an alarm, had a panic attack and went back to Portugal,” he says.
“You really want to do nice things”
Anastasija is back in Kiev too. She has lived in Berlin for some time – for the first time since the invasion began, she is visiting her family. The recent night-time air raid alarm has affected her.
“I cursed almost everything, especially Russia. It’s crazy. It’s summer, you actually want to do nice things. When the alarm goes off, we stay together and talk a lot. And we try to continue to lead a normal life.”
There are long-term consequences
Olexander Balitskyy can confirm that the night-time air raids on Kiev – in addition to the immediate danger from rockets or their falling debris – pose long-term health consequences. The neurologist receives more and more patients.
According to Balitskyy, chronic fatigue should not be underestimated. “The nervous system is damaged, because the psyche is part of it. There is a risk of insomnia, which poses risks for the brain. It’s supposed to recover at night. If it doesn’t, chronic diseases can develop.”
Doctors recommend fixed procedures
These include high blood pressure and diabetes as well as mental illnesses. Air alarm is a stressful situation, according to the doctor. To deal with her in the short term, Balitskyy recommends aromatherapy. This is a quick and effective measure. “Certain smells stimulate the brain and have a calming effect. This also applies to colors – green.”
It is also helpful to establish fixed procedures for air alerts and to stick to them. From the doctor’s point of view, the sirens should not be ignored – especially if shelling takes place regularly.
worry about family
Anastasija, who is visiting Kiev, will probably not suffer from lack of sleep when she goes back to Berlin. But she worries about her family – and hopes that Germany’s attention to the situation in her country will not diminish.
“It’s a very different life there. You see the war on TV, but it’s far away. From afar you’ll never understand what it’s like to hear sirens and shelling – and thank God that you’re alive is.”