Sound is a potent trigger for Ukrainians, who are used to different types of explosions. Nastia knows how the buzz of Shaheds differs from missiles, but freezes when she hears a motorcycle.
I truly don't know how you all are able to cope and report so well with these haunting sounds every day. I get tense just hearing Trump's voice every friggin' day. Take care, please continue to be safe.
Thank you for your kind words and support 🙏 It’s definitely not easy, but it gives us even more motivation to keep working and showing the truth. Please take care of yourself too 🌿
I took a bunch of Syrian refugee kids down to the Mall to see the Independence Day fireworks in 2019, when Trump insisted on having military jets fly over the mall at low level. It was very loud and the kids all tensed up as the last time they heard similar sounds their town was being bombed.
They were all great kids and I think about them a lot.
So sad that the kids had to go through this. I believe it’s almost impossible to get used to such sounds again after having such a traumatic experience. What do you think?
Thank you, Nastia, for this very different, yet deeply personal article. I suffer from PTSD (less so these days), and have a hatred of fireworks, not only from the noise aspect, but also from the environmental impact. The sounds of war you have presented here, are similar to what my mother would have heard during the Blitz over London, during World War II, and your reactions would have been the same as those she experienced. Your situation is very much in my thoughts - I wish that 💩🥫 & the Rotten Orange would hurry up and meet their Maker, because that may be the only thing that stops this wretched "Special Military Operation" (or, as the rest of the world calls, an invasion, and war of terror.).
Nigel, thank you for sharing yours and your mother's experience! I do hope that the reactions and symptoms get less and less troubling for you with each day! So many people had suffered and still suffer from wars and other traumas all around the world, we should be more sympathetic to each other🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing. It's hard to imagine in the complacency of a country that isn't being attacked what suffering under this kind of constant danger and anxiety feels like. Listening to the audios made me stop, reflect, and play them again. No one should have to live like this.
Thank you 🙏 It’s really hard to explain to someone who’s never lived with air raid sirens or explosions. Experiences like that leave a mark forever, and even in peaceful places, sudden loud noises can bring those feelings back.
Do you think it’s ever truly possible to overcome such triggers after a war?
Thank you for this report. I feel that often we forget how our senses can impact our lives and feeling of safety. We can read about what’s going on in Ukraine but we cannot hear, touch, or smell it. The sound clips in this article are helpful but, of course, do not come close to the lived reality.
Of course, our sight and hearing can transport us into any situation. We just wanted to give you a brief sense of these realities, to help you understand, even a little, what people are going through
One of the most frightening (but helpful) reports I've read - thank you. The audio samples gave me a brief inkling if what it must be like to live in the war zone that Ukraine has unfortunately become. May your allies in the West hopefully redouble their efforts to aid your defense! Prayers are with you.
Thank you for your kind words and support 💙💛 It’s truly terrifying to live under these conditions, but it means a lot that the world sees and tries to help.
Do you think Western support can make a real difference in making civilians’ lives safer?
I was in Odesa one morning - the day after a missile attack on the city - getting coffee and waiting for a friend when there was a huge whooshing sound through the sky - one girl flung herself under a table, my heart was pounding like crazy - then someone shouted ‘it’s ours!’ - it was a plane taking out a recon drone I think. Someone else then shouted ‘we’re going to need something stronger than coffee!’
Thank you- This made the war very “real” to us in Maine, U.S. As trump becomes more and more like Putin (or Hitler), I freeze every time a jet zooms by. It’s frightening to hear what it’s like in the Ukraine and what likely will happen in the U.S. Our little town of 5,000 people has raised $100,000 for Ukraine in three years; the last two for Chuhuiv. Thanks for what you’re doing from a retired reporter and editor at the largest newspaper in Virginia.
Thank you for these words and for your support. It means a lot to hear, especially when you realize that even in small towns so many people come together to help Ukraine🙏
Very interesting article. Living in Toronto, we have an annual weekend air show at the beginning of September. People sometimes talk about how it can be traumatizing to people who have come to the city from areas experiencing war, since during the air show there are frequently very loud military jets flying over the city. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have to live through the fear and uncertainty. Keep up the great work!
How do you think, should society be more mindful of such experiences and adapt events like these (for example, by limiting the noise or changing the format), or is it more important to preserve the tradition in its usual form?
It’s always a hot debate each year and will likely be so again when it starts up tomorrow. As someone who has always been interested in planes and aviation, I used to think the concerns were somewhat overblown or exaggerated. That said, reading the Counteroffensive and being reminded of the real trauma that people are facing around the world gives me pause. Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world and almost 50% of the population was born outside of Canada. It’s not unreasonable to suggest that some of those people have a very different reaction than the rest of us do. Another complaint that many residents have is the noise scaring pets and other animals.
This is such an important article because of the sound bites. Still, it is one thing to hear them in the app. Hearing them in reality is something completely different, I am sure. I have work colleagues in Kyiv. Sometimes we get a message in the morning: “starting work later - no sleep last night from the air raids” or during a meeting: “air raid alert gotta go”. I get a chill every time I see this type of message. No one ever ever complains about them. We usually respond with yellow and blue hearts or “Slava Ukraini”.
Thank you for your support! Yes, indeed, people keep living despite everything. Our minds try to adapt to these realities, continuing to do the things we’re used to: a cup of coffee, work, exercise, and so on. That’s what keeps us afloat🙏
I truly don't know how you all are able to cope and report so well with these haunting sounds every day. I get tense just hearing Trump's voice every friggin' day. Take care, please continue to be safe.
Thank you for your kind words and support 🙏 It’s definitely not easy, but it gives us even more motivation to keep working and showing the truth. Please take care of yourself too 🌿
I took a bunch of Syrian refugee kids down to the Mall to see the Independence Day fireworks in 2019, when Trump insisted on having military jets fly over the mall at low level. It was very loud and the kids all tensed up as the last time they heard similar sounds their town was being bombed.
They were all great kids and I think about them a lot.
So sad that the kids had to go through this. I believe it’s almost impossible to get used to such sounds again after having such a traumatic experience. What do you think?
Thank you, Nastia, for this very different, yet deeply personal article. I suffer from PTSD (less so these days), and have a hatred of fireworks, not only from the noise aspect, but also from the environmental impact. The sounds of war you have presented here, are similar to what my mother would have heard during the Blitz over London, during World War II, and your reactions would have been the same as those she experienced. Your situation is very much in my thoughts - I wish that 💩🥫 & the Rotten Orange would hurry up and meet their Maker, because that may be the only thing that stops this wretched "Special Military Operation" (or, as the rest of the world calls, an invasion, and war of terror.).
Nigel, thank you for sharing yours and your mother's experience! I do hope that the reactions and symptoms get less and less troubling for you with each day! So many people had suffered and still suffer from wars and other traumas all around the world, we should be more sympathetic to each other🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing. It's hard to imagine in the complacency of a country that isn't being attacked what suffering under this kind of constant danger and anxiety feels like. Listening to the audios made me stop, reflect, and play them again. No one should have to live like this.
Thank you 🙏 It’s really hard to explain to someone who’s never lived with air raid sirens or explosions. Experiences like that leave a mark forever, and even in peaceful places, sudden loud noises can bring those feelings back.
Do you think it’s ever truly possible to overcome such triggers after a war?
Thank you for this report. I feel that often we forget how our senses can impact our lives and feeling of safety. We can read about what’s going on in Ukraine but we cannot hear, touch, or smell it. The sound clips in this article are helpful but, of course, do not come close to the lived reality.
Of course, our sight and hearing can transport us into any situation. We just wanted to give you a brief sense of these realities, to help you understand, even a little, what people are going through
One of the most frightening (but helpful) reports I've read - thank you. The audio samples gave me a brief inkling if what it must be like to live in the war zone that Ukraine has unfortunately become. May your allies in the West hopefully redouble their efforts to aid your defense! Prayers are with you.
Thank you for your kind words and support 💙💛 It’s truly terrifying to live under these conditions, but it means a lot that the world sees and tries to help.
Do you think Western support can make a real difference in making civilians’ lives safer?
I was in Odesa one morning - the day after a missile attack on the city - getting coffee and waiting for a friend when there was a huge whooshing sound through the sky - one girl flung herself under a table, my heart was pounding like crazy - then someone shouted ‘it’s ours!’ - it was a plane taking out a recon drone I think. Someone else then shouted ‘we’re going to need something stronger than coffee!’
Thank you for sharing this memory 🙏 it captures so well how the war changes even ordinary moments, like having your morning coffee 👀
Thank you- This made the war very “real” to us in Maine, U.S. As trump becomes more and more like Putin (or Hitler), I freeze every time a jet zooms by. It’s frightening to hear what it’s like in the Ukraine and what likely will happen in the U.S. Our little town of 5,000 people has raised $100,000 for Ukraine in three years; the last two for Chuhuiv. Thanks for what you’re doing from a retired reporter and editor at the largest newspaper in Virginia.
I also live in New England . I keep reading and hearing stories about Maine's support of Ukraine. It was heartwarming to read your comment.
Thank you for these words and for your support. It means a lot to hear, especially when you realize that even in small towns so many people come together to help Ukraine🙏
Very interesting article. Living in Toronto, we have an annual weekend air show at the beginning of September. People sometimes talk about how it can be traumatizing to people who have come to the city from areas experiencing war, since during the air show there are frequently very loud military jets flying over the city. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have to live through the fear and uncertainty. Keep up the great work!
How do you think, should society be more mindful of such experiences and adapt events like these (for example, by limiting the noise or changing the format), or is it more important to preserve the tradition in its usual form?
It’s always a hot debate each year and will likely be so again when it starts up tomorrow. As someone who has always been interested in planes and aviation, I used to think the concerns were somewhat overblown or exaggerated. That said, reading the Counteroffensive and being reminded of the real trauma that people are facing around the world gives me pause. Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world and almost 50% of the population was born outside of Canada. It’s not unreasonable to suggest that some of those people have a very different reaction than the rest of us do. Another complaint that many residents have is the noise scaring pets and other animals.
thank you, i needed this... Please support Ukraine, god
This is such an important article because of the sound bites. Still, it is one thing to hear them in the app. Hearing them in reality is something completely different, I am sure. I have work colleagues in Kyiv. Sometimes we get a message in the morning: “starting work later - no sleep last night from the air raids” or during a meeting: “air raid alert gotta go”. I get a chill every time I see this type of message. No one ever ever complains about them. We usually respond with yellow and blue hearts or “Slava Ukraini”.
Thank you for your support! Yes, indeed, people keep living despite everything. Our minds try to adapt to these realities, continuing to do the things we’re used to: a cup of coffee, work, exercise, and so on. That’s what keeps us afloat🙏