현지용 기자
2024년 10월 26일
On Friday, October 25, 2024, at 9:08 p.m., a Russian UAV, Shahed, struck a high-rise apartment building in a residential area of Kyiv. The attack killed a 14-year-old girl and injured at least five others.
The fire was extinguished with the help of medical personnel and firefighters. After the explosion, all residents of the apartment were forced to evacuate their homes and wait until dawn to prevent secondary fires caused by internal insulation and for the firefighters to conduct search and rescue operations.
The 17th to 21st floors of the apartment were blackened by the Russian airstrike. It was clearly visible from outside. Firefighters had to search for other survivors in the charred remains and darkness.
While waiting in front of the apartment to take additional photos, an air raid siren suddenly sounded at midnight. Rescue workers ordered residents and reporters to immediately enter the underground parking lot of the apartment building and take refuge.
This is because the Russian military uses the so-called 'double-tap' method, which kills civilians and rescue workers who gather at the airstrike site after the airstrike. I could read deep fear and horror in the eyes of those who hurriedly took refuge in the underground parking lot.
That night, this apartment became the place where the destruction and tragedy of the enemy's airstrike occurred. However, those waiting to return home after the rescue team's search and work were finished also tried not to lose their strength.
Mr. Oleksandr and Mr. Serhiy, residents of the apartment, asked me many questions about South Korea and North Korea while I was waiting in front of the apartment. I answered them sincerely, and our conversation filled the time of waiting in the cold.
Mr. Oleksandr lives on the floor right above where the airstrike occurred. He was sleeping with his wife and daughter when the attack occurred. He also showed me a photo of the fire that he had taken from the balcony, looking straight down.
He told me how shocked he was at the time. But he also said that he had a good time talking to me. I hope that one day I can help Ukraine and its people.