February 24
Russian forces started the invasion into Ukraine from Belarus. Dozens of Russian armed helicopters with paratroopers landed near the Antonov airport in Hostomel, just a few kilometers away from Bucha. They promptly managed to take over the airport. Bucha serves as a strategically important city to seize Kyiv.
Artem:
My mother woke me up really early. She said Russia attacked Ukraine with rockets. I couldn’t believe it, even though I knew that a war was about to happen, I just couldn’t believe it when it actually happened. I thought about how scary it was, but I assumed that here in Bucha we’d be in a relatively safe environment. I expected that the Ukrainian army would defend the Kyiv region at all costs. But around 11 a.m. we heard bombings from Hostomel. [...]
Christina:
[...] I had a break up just before the war started. I loved him, but he left me and went to another city. My life was dull, I had nothing to lose, so I felt nothing - until the first bombs hit. [...]
February 25
Ivankiv, Obukhovychi, Katyuzhanka, and other nearby settlements in the north of Kyiv Oblast have been seized by Russian troops. Russian vehicles appeared on the streets of Hostomel, as the fighting over Antonov airport continued. Russian troops also began to shell Borodyanka mercilessly, making it one of the most destroyed cities in Kyiv Oblast.
Artem:
My father tried to come to us, but he couldn't reach Bucha anymore because all the bridges over the Bucha river had been destroyed.
Christina:
At 05:46 I was awakened by loud explosions. [...]
March 8
While searching for remaining servicemen from the Ukrainian army, Russian forces allowed civilians to remove killed civilian bodies off the streets.
Artem:
[...] I felt resentment towards the people around me, but I understand now. In such a stressful situation we lose everything that makes us human. I saw some of them stealing lots of alcohol and cigarettes from the local store. They drank almost every day from morning until late at night. They had a huge party that day. They didn't understand the danger of the whole situation. They started drinking and singing outside. They wanted to charge their phones, but couldn't start their car so they started to push it while screaming and laughing. A Russian tank drove past them, but didn't really care. Still, I was afraid they would shoot at them. [...]
Christina:
I had my first looting experience. The owner of the NOVUS supermarket allowed people to take food for free. We didn’t know how long the occupation would last nor if there would be humanitarian corridors. So the danger of starvation became an issue. We took three bags of food. There was a Russian soldier with a rifle patrolling the place while everyone was looting as much food as possible. I remember I was staring into the soldier's eyes but he didn’t even bother looking at me. [...]