Ukraine Invasion: Young Mom Gives Birth to Daughter Inside Bomb Shelter

Amid the chaos of the Ukraine invasion, a tiny miracle was born inside a subway station turned into a bomb shelter in the capital of Kyiv. Born to a 23-year-old mom, Victoriia Korol, baby Mia was welcomed by her family and healthcare workers from the nearby Gostomei Airfield on the third day of the invasion.

The baby's father, Ivan Korol, shared the exciting news on social media and said his wife gave him a beautiful daughter, whom he described as "a star in the dark." Ivan, who works for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also urged mothers in Russia to protest the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Hannah Hopko, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament, shared a photo of baby Mia as well. She said that while Victoriia had a challenging birth, she's a happy mom who is now doing fine with her daughter. She also said that the family had left the shelter and gone to a safer place for the infant.

More Births in Bomb Shelters

After Mia's birth, two more babies were born at another bomb shelter in Kherson, located seven hours away from Kyiv. Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health, confirmed that the new babies, both boys, are in excellent health and have become symbols of Ukraine's resilience.

He also commended those who assisted in the births under the harrowing explosions and shelling above the streets, adding that he is "incredibly proud" of the local doctors.

According to Today, the health minister said that the babies' birth shows how life will go on in Ukraine and that they will not be defeated in this war.

Though the health agency has been doing all to help families, Russia's attack on Ukraine has had serious casualties, including children. Of the 406 civilian casualties as of Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at least 14 were kids, but dozens more are left with the painful trauma of the violence they have witnessed.

Trauma for a Whole Generation

One of the first children to experience the horrors of war was a fourth-grader named Polina in Kyiv. Her photo, with streaks of blood in her hair, has gone viral on the first day of the attack. She didn't survive her wounds. Sources said that Russians shot Polina's family. Her brother and sister have been taken to the intensive care unit at a local hospital.

Another child in kindergarten also died, along with two adults, on the first day of the Ukrainian invasion. Reports cited they were taking shelter at a school north of Kyiv, but Russians appeared to have fired at the facility.

According to Agnès Callamard of Amnesty International, it's "stomach-turning" to know that the Russians have attacked helpless civilians seeking shelter. She said there is "no possible justification" for this "flagrant disregard for civilian life."

The international community has condemned the attacks with sanctions leveled against Russia, especially among Western countries. Meanwhile, Putin has placed his nuclear arms on high alert while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would try to dialogue with the Russian President.