War in Ukraine

Children born during the war

"When there are hostilities in the vicinity, babies have been delivered in basements.” says Eugen Kotenko, our correspondent, who visited maternity hospital in Kyiv amidst Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine

By Eugen Kotenko | Євген Котенко

Published on 11 March 2022

*"In the last two days, 8 babies were born in this hospital"*

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On Wednesday, our correspondent, Eugeniy Kotenko, visited the Kyiv Maternity Hospital.
Here is his report:
“Today I visited one of the maternity hospitals in Kyiv. Every day, despite the missiles and shells exploding outside the window, doctors help women to give birth. When there are hostilities in the vicinity, babies have been delivered in basements. In the last two days, 8 babies were born in this hospital.

*"When there are hostilities in the vicinity, babies have been delivered in basements"*

The head doctor and several nurses have not left their jobs since February 24th, and the rest of the staff work in shifts.

The building is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is ready to receive expectant mothers at any time."

Authors

Eugen Kotenko | Євген Котенко

Translators

“Most people who I know left or are about to leave the country“

Last Thursday the KATAPULT had the chance to speak to a young woman in Russia about the situation inside the country. Originally it was planned as a video-interview. However the newest regulations in Russia which suppress the freedom of press and punish the spreading of information against the government are punishable with a prison sentence of up to 15 years. That’s why the interview will now be published as completely anonymized text. The photos were sent by the interviewee. Her name and hometown has been verified by KATAPULT.