Ukrainian Volunteer Continues Vital Work Amid Repeated Attacks

A Ukrainian civilian volunteering as an emergency response worker recently faced an unexpected scene upon arriving at the latest site of Russian attacks in Kyiv. The location was a stark reminder, as it was the same apartment complex she had repaired just a month prior.

“It’s a strange feeling because, you know, you always have hope everything is going to be okay,” expressed Kateryna Tereshkova, 45, to CBS News. She noted the peculiarity of returning to the exact same site, rather than a familiar district with different addresses.

Residents, already acquainted with her from previous response efforts, greeted her with dark humor. “People who come to us say, ‘Ah, we remember you. You fixed it already on my balcony, but now I don’t have apartments anymore,'” Tereshkova recounted. She emphasized that humor remains a significant trait of their nation.

A view of the residential building damaged during the Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 6, 2026. Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images

Monday’s attack resulted in at least 22 fatalities in Kyiv and the surrounding region, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes highlighted weaknesses in Ukraine’s air defenses and dependence on U.S. Patriot systems for intercepting ballistic missiles.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that these increased attacks were retaliatory responses to Ukraine’s recent long-range strikes. Tereshkova disclosed that her team had barely completed duties from previous strikes four days earlier when the new barrage occurred. “We just had one and a half days for sleeping,” she stated, adding that her team continued supporting firefighters tackling damage from a prior attack.

A former executive in Kyiv’s restaurant and nightlife sector, Tereshkova began volunteering in 2014 when Russia initially invaded eastern Ukraine, dedicating herself full-time after the 2022 invasion.

“It’s an algorithm now. It’s the same every time,” Tereshkova described the response protocol following attacks. Tasks usually entail cleaning up the apartment destruction, removing broken windows or doors, and using plastic film or wooden panels to ensure residents can endure conditions until government payments for replacements arrive.

Despite the physical and emotional toll, Tereshkova sometimes seeks solace in revisiting old nightclubs but remains steadfast in her mission to aid those affected by attacks. “I feel tired sometimes, but I don’t know how it’s working for me. I think it’s like my destiny and my way because I’m not burning inside. I don’t let my hands fall down. I’m always ready to continue,” she conveyed. “I just need, from time to time, to have some sleep,” she concluded. “After that, okay, let’s go.”