Panicking Kyiv residents yearn for early ceasefire, return to peace

KYIV -- Air raid sirens wailing across Kyiv are awakening residents in the Ukrainian capital to the bleak reality of an ongoing military operation that is dangerously close.

For the past three days, residents have been going on a nerve-wracking trip to-and-fro between bomb shelters, grocery stores and their apartments as fears of imminent danger are compounded by anxiety over food shortages and risks of COVID-19 infection.

Iryna, a 28-year-old local who only gave her first name, told a Xinhua correspondent that she was horrified at the sound of bombing and shelling during the day, and was planning to stay in her windowless bathroom overnight in case of further air strikes.

The city of some 3 million people, once a hub of bustling activities, has been plunged into chaos since Day One of Russia's military operation on Thursday.

According to the latest information released by the two sides, multiple military targets across Ukraine were under attack; fighting was reported across several fronts; explosions were heard at Boryspil International Airport and other places across the city.

Sleep has been a luxury for many locals who stayed up all night fearing that they might miss the sirens and end up alone in the danger zone.