Ukrainians, faced with the ongoing struggles of a prolonged conflict, are finding moments of normalcy in unexpected places. One such place is a fast-food eatery, McDonald’s, which has become a symbol of normal life for many residents of Kyiv.
Zlatoslava Supruniuk, 36, stands near a McDonald’s location in Kyiv, captured in a portrait taken on July 10. She recalls visiting the very first McDonald’s outlet on its opening day back in 1997. This particular McDonald’s, now referred to as the most bombed McDonald’s in the world, is situated in Kyiv’s Lukianivka neighborhood. The area, which houses a former Soviet-era weapons factory, has been a recurrent target since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began over four years ago.
During times of conflict, McDonald’s is more than just a fast-food destination for many Ukrainians. It represents a piece of their lives that remains unchanged despite the turmoil around them.
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