Safety Amidst Chaos: Filipinos in Ukraine Reported Safe After Recent Attacks
WARSAW, Poland – In a moment of overwhelming uncertainty, the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw has delivered a glimmer of hope: all 31 Filipinos residing in Ukraine are “safe and all accounted for.” This news came amidst a terrifying wave of Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, which claimed the lives of four people and left around a hundred injured.
The embassy has been diligently reaching out to the Filipino community in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, ensuring their well-being during this harrowing time.
On Saturday evening, darkness fell over Ukraine as Russia unleashed a relentless barrage of drone strikes and missiles, including the formidable hypersonic Oreshnik. This coordinated attack shattered the peace, damaging dozens of residential buildings, schools, a market, and even a museum.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as a “heavy attack,” revealing that it involved a staggering “90 missiles of various types, many of them ballistic missiles… and 600 drones.” It was a brutal reminder of the ongoing turmoil, particularly as Kyiv bore the brunt of the assault.
Local and international media reported that the Russian Defense Ministry framed these strikes as retaliation against Ukraine’s supposed attacks on “civil facilities” within Russia. However, Ukraine firmly denies these claims. “Russia is waging war only against our people, against our memory, history… and everything that shapes normal human life,” Zelenskyy declared. “For all these crimes, they will be held accountable.”
A Night of Terror
As the sun dipped below the horizon on Saturday, the atmosphere turned electric with fear. Zelenskyy urged residents to seek shelter and protect their lives, warning of imminent strikes that included the deadly Oreshnik missile.
This missile, first used in a deadly assault on a military facility last November, can strike targets from thousands of kilometers away, traveling at speeds that render it nearly impossible for air defense systems to intercept.
Rhea Rose Ramos and Ruby Anne Gallego, both living with their families in Bucha, just 25 kilometers from Kyiv, described their experience as a “terrifying and sleepless night.”
“Grabe, ang lakas at sunud-sunod yung pag-atake,” Ramos recounted, her voice trembling as she spoke to GMA News. “(The attacks were loud and continuous. They started around midnight, and nearly 30 missiles were launched in a span of 30 minutes.)”
The two women received urgent mobile alerts warning them of air strikes that would target specific areas, plunging them deeper into fear. Areas surrounding Kyiv were placed on high alert, and the ominous warning remains in effect even now.
“It sounded like thunderclaps, but nonstop,” Ramos continued. “We heard the explosions, even from here in Bucha. We can’t imagine what it was like in the center – it must have been much worse.”
Gallego added that the terrifying night kept them awake for hours. “We had a difficult night. Kyiv is right next door, and the effects were intense – we didn’t sleep at all,” she said, though her voice held a note of resilience. “But so far, we’re all good now.”
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the chaos surrounding them, both women expressed a determination to carry on. “Tuloy pa rin ang buhay (life still has to go on) in Bucha and Kyiv,” Ramos affirmed, highlighting the human spirit’s ability to endure amidst devastation.
The Migrant Workers’ Office in the Czech Republic is actively checking in on the situation for Ramos, Gallego, and others, ensuring they have the support they need.
In response to the destruction from Saturday’s attack, Zelenskyy announced that nearly 100 emergency units have mobilized to assist in the hard-hit districts of Kyiv. “Protection must be strengthened. Support for air defense remains a daily priority of Ukraine’s foreign policy work,” he insisted, underscoring the urgent need for both national security and accountability for the aggressor.
In these times of fear and uncertainty, the small community of Filipinos in Ukraine stands united, embodying resilience as they navigate the storm together. Their safety is a blessing, but the echoes of the recent attacks serve as a stark reminder of the challenges they face every day.
