As missiles and drones descend on Kyiv, homeless couple Vadym and Alona have nowhere to shelter but under the branches of a horse chestnut tree in the park. Blooming with pinkish-white flowers, the trees have been a symbol of the Ukrainian capital since Soviet times.
During a recent barrage that was particularly heavy, they cradled each other for comfort as streaks of glowing tracer fire chased missiles through the sky above them. “That was the most afraid we’ve been,” says Vadym.
