Olga Melnyk, a 32-year-old gym instructor in Kharkiv, navigates a life reshaped by ongoing military tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Her apartment building's basement doubles as a bomb shelter, where neighbors huddle during air raid sirens. \"We've memorized the drill,\" she says, showing an emergency backpack stocked with flashlights, documents, and protein bars.
The Rhythm of Resilience
Between fitness classes, Olga demonstrates her modified grocery routine: rapid selection of non-perishables and constant smartphone checks for safety updates. Local markets now prioritize canned goods and portable chargers over fresh produce.
Preparedness as Routine
Her gym has become a community hub for stress relief and emergency preparedness workshops. \"Exercise isn't just physical now – it's about mental survival,\" Olga explains, noting increased demand for trauma-informed yoga sessions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
