Ukraine crisis: As war wages, hope thrives with these heart touching stories
'Hero of Ukraine'- Marine who blew himself up to halt Russian tanks from crossing the Henichesk Bridge
Vitaly Shakun was a marine soldier and part of the Ukrainian army who recently sacrificed his own life while fighting for his country during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Shakun was manning the Henichesk Bridge in the Kherson region near Crimea on February 24 where he encountered the first sets of Russian tanks advancing towards Kyiv. He later realized that the only way to stop them was to blow up the bridge manually.
Vitaly informed the Ukrainian armed forces about his plan following which an explosion rang out. The military in a statement mentioned that the bridge was mined and he did not have enough time to escape the situation.
Shakun's efforts slowed down the Russian advance and allowed his comrades to regroup and re-deploy.
Reportedly, President Volodmyr Zelensky signed an order to declare Vitaly Shakun a national hero of Ukraine.
Newly wedded Ukrainian couple took up arms to defend Russian invasion
At a time when Kyiv resembled a battleground, a Ukrainian couple after saying their vows took up arms to defend their country from the Russian invasion.
Yaryna Arieva and Sviatoslav Fursin completed their nuptials at St Michael's Golden Domed Monastery in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv amid air raid sirens blaring in the distance.
Soon after tying the knot, they headed to the local Territorial Defense Center to help in fighting the Russian invasion.
In starkly contrasting pictures, the passionate couple were photographed taking part in a traditional wedding ceremony while in the other picture the couple brandished their guns as they cuddled side by side.
"I will do everything for my motherland" – Olena Kurilo
The blood-soaked face of a teacher named Olena Kurilo symbolises the invasion of her country. Kurilo emerged from the hospital in Chuguev, outside the city of Kharkiv, when journalists captured a photo of her, covered in bandages after a missile strike sent shards of window glass flying into her face. The pictures have also made it to the front pages of several leading British dailies.
She is a teacher who lives in Chuguev, Ukraine. Her home was destroyed after it was attacked by a Russian missile.
Kurilo while speaking to The Independent admitted that she was "very lucky" to have survived the Russian missile attack on her home. "I must have a guardian angel," she told the publication.
She further added that "I will do everything for Ukraine, as much as I can, with as much energy as I have. I will always only be on my motherland's side."
Haryana girl stays back in Ukraine to help landlord's family in distress
Following the evacuation of Indian students from war-torn Ukraine, a 17-year-old medical student Neha from Haryana choose to stay back to help the family of her landlord who has joined the nation's army to fight the advancing Russian forces.
Neha refused the Indian embassy's offer of evacuation because she wanted to look after the family in distress.
Reportedly Neha was staying as a paying guest in capital Kyiv, the owner has joined the Ukrainian army to serve the nation amid Russia's attack, and she is looking after his wife and three children.
In a Facebook post which happens to be of Neha's aunt, Savita Jakhar she stated that Neha is accompanying her landlord's wife and three children in a bunker. "My friend (Neha's mother) tried to evacuate her from there by contacting the embassy there. However, she did not want to return leaving three children and their mother alone in this time of crisis," the post read.
Terror and hope amid bomb bunkers in Ukraine
As Russia bombarded Ukraine, a ray of hope emerged in the dark bomb shelters which are also serving as a maternity ward at the time of crisis.
Citizens have been using subway stations as make-shift bomb shelters. Newborn babies are being delivered amid extraordinary circumstances.
Sharing a social media post Dr Serhiy Baksheev head of the women's clinic, obstetrician-gynaecologist recounted the life of the woman in labour.
While sharing some pictures from the shelter-cum-labour room Baksheev wrote "Look at these pictures, and in the eyes of these health workers who have no fear of the Russian war! We protect our country, our people, our wives and children! And even in such circumstances, Ukrainians come into this world, who thanks to the Russians will be called CHILDREN OF WAR all their lives! Glory to Ukraine!"