In Kyiv, life under the shadow of war continues with a blend of resilience, disruption, and adaptation, as local residents navigate the challenges posed by ongoing conflict. For one Kyiv-based entrepreneur, the everyday realities of raising children amid regular air alerts and drone threats have sharply altered family routines and public life.
During her youngest daughter’s fifth birthday celebration, despite the presence of entertainers and games, the atmosphere was tinged with caution. Air alerts and sightings of Shahed drones—a type of missile-carrying drone—hovered nearby, prompting close monitoring via social media before deciding to proceed with the festivities. Such threats, with drones sometimes flying as close as five to ten kilometers away, have become a normal aspect of life in the city, underscoring the war's gradual but relentless encroachment on civilian spaces.
Despite the dangers, civil services in Kyiv demonstrate remarkable efficiency. Local police respond promptly to calls ranging from thefts to accidents, ambulances operate even during curfews and under shelling, and garbage collection continues on schedule despite missile attacks. Emergency services also play a critical role in swiftly clearing rubble from bombed sites, though these responders face significant risks, including casualties from secondary strikes on civilian areas.
At the same time, residents voice frustrations over municipal governance, highlighting instances where city officials impose rapid measures such as vehicle towing over minor infractions, while more essential services like reliable energy and water supply remain inconsistent. The fine for such towing—approximately €40—represents a substantial burden given the city's median monthly salary of around €900.
Curfew regulations shape daily life further; since September 2026, Kyiv’s curfew runs from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., restricting movement without special passes. Heightened security around government buildings and high-level meetings often prompts temporary restrictions on looking out of windows due to fears of sniper activity, which locals greet with a mix of irony and defiance.
The war has also reshaped the city’s demographic landscape, with noticeably fewer men present on the streets and increased migration from Kyiv to safer areas like western Ukraine. Young families, including friends of the entrepreneur’s children, have relocated to cities such as Ivano-Frankivsk amid fears of escalation.
Despite these pressures, some residents, including the business owner, choose to remain in Kyiv, citing responsibilities to employees and the importance of sustaining the local economy. Her firm, a furniture manufacturer with exports to 26 countries, has seen sales decline from roughly 14,000-15,000 chairs monthly in 2024-2025 to about 10,000 since August 2026. She worries that as the conflict prolongs, European buyers may lose focus on supporting Ukrainian producers.
International travel remains complicated. With Ukraine’s airports closed, she recently returned from the United Kingdom by flying into Poland and driving through multiple checkpoints to reach Kyiv, a journey taking two days. Comparisons with life abroad highlight the contrast; while London felt calm and reminiscent of prewar Kyiv, the capital now moves to the tense rhythm dictated by war.
Looking ahead, the businesswoman plans to continue attending international design events to promote her company and hopes to adopt a child from an orphanage once her daughters are older. The humanitarian fallout is stark, with Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy reporting approximately 62,000 children deprived of parental care in 2024, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and economic hardship.
Her parting message reflects a determination shared by many in Kyiv: despite uncertainty, they persist. “If I survive,” she says, “I’ll see you in Paris,” signaling an intent to endure and remain connected with the wider world amidst the turmoil at home.