On February 24, 2022, the Beijing Winter Olympics, which attracted global attention, had just come to an end, and the world's attention had not yet completely taken away from the celebration of sports, but Ukraine in eastern Europe suddenly fell into the shadow of war. On this day, Russia launched a full-scale military offensive against Ukraine, which aroused widespread concern and strong repercussions from the international community. Ukraine, a country located in Eastern Europe that was historically part of the Soviet Union, has rich agricultural resources and a strategic position. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has gradually moved closer to the West, and its security and political orientation have become the focus of the struggle between Russia and Western countries.
Sleeping people are awakened as sirens echo through the early morning sky over Kyiv, with billowing smoke and flashing lights outside their windows. A middle-aged man, Nikolai, hurriedly put on his clothes, his trembling hands barely buttoned. His wife, Daria, was holding their two children beside her, her eyes full of fear of the unknown.
"Quick, we need to go to the basement." Nikolai said to his family.
Their quarters were soon crowded with other neighbors, who leaned together to listen to the explosions outside and the constant news coming in. Not far away, a school was blown up, and Nikolai felt a tingle in his heart when he knew that it had once been his children's school.
In Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, Russian artillery fire has thrown the entire city into chaos. Next to a small destroyed shop, Andrei, the son of the original owner, a 20-year-old youth, was forced to take up arms. His father hugged him tightly as he set off, tears blurring his vision.
"Protect yourself, son." Father's voice choked.
"I will, Dad. I will be back. Andrei responded, although he himself could not believe it.
The cruelty of war is not only reflected on the front lines, but also in the elderly, women and children who remain at home. In a small village, an old woman tried to hand a young Russian soldier a piece of bread and a cup of tea with her trembling hands.
"Son, give your family a call and tell them you're okay." Her voice was gentle and firm.
A tear gleamed in the soldier's eyes, and he took the bread and said softly, "Thank you, Grandma. ”
In the midst of war, there are countless such short stories, each of which is about the subject of survival and human nature.
The war dragged on for weeks, with new casualties and damage reported every day. Despite the international community's calls for peace, the conflict continues. In this relentless war, everyone is looking for their own shelter, both physically and mentally. Nikolai and his family spent many sleepless nights in the basement, and Andrei's days at the front, every time he returned to the makeshift camp, he had to face the reality of a dwindling number of comrades. The brief exchange between the old woman and the young Russian soldier became a faint light in the war.
War, a tragedy of mankind since ancient times, has always reminded people in a repetitive and cruel way of the fragility and ordinary preciousness of life. Under the shadow of gunsmoke, the brilliance of humanity still flickered, whether it was giving the last comfort to strangers, or showing perseverance and love in the process of protecting family members. As the old woman said to the young soldiers, even in the midst of war, do not forget to tell your family that you are safe, because hope, like the light of the morning light, will always break before the darkest hour. War has made people lose so much, but it has also shown us the strongest and gentlest parts of human nature. Let us not forget every lesson that this war has taught us, cherish peace, and cherish the pure and sincere connection between people.