My family in Ukraine awoke to a nightmare movie with no 'stop' button.
Due to traffic congestion, it is now nearly impossible to leave Kyiv by car. Even so, we're set to go. In case we hear the shelling siren and have to run to the bomb shelter, we've packed the essentials: a folder with documents, laptops, and carriers for our three beloved cats.
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
Today's morning did not begin with coffee. My husband, who works in the energy industry, received a call from work before the sun had even risen. He was warned that "Russians are shelling us."
We immediately heard distant explosions, most likely shelling near Boryspil International Airport in the city. Then came the more bad news. Ukraine had been assaulted by Russians throughout its eastern and northern borders, as well as from Crimea. Airstrikes on military facilities near major cities were carried out, as was heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine.
The shelling had damaged a residential structure in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, according to horrifying news. Uncomfortably close to our home in Kyiv, an artillery bomb hit Uman town in central Ukraine, far from the borders. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials are prepared to evacuate citizens from the most vulnerable areas after declaring martial law this morning.
Kyiv, too, is dealing with a new reality. Many people left early in the morning, generating traffic congestion on the city's south and west exit highways. My husband and I, together with our eight-year-old kid, opted to stay. We decided to stay at home after seeing a live traffic report on the television. Especially when Kyiv's whole infrastructure — electricity, internet, mobile phone service, and subway — was still operational.
Due to traffic congestion, it is now nearly impossible to leave Kyiv by car. Even so, we're set to go. In case we hear the shelling siren and have to run to the bomb shelter, we've packed the essentials: a folder with documents, laptops, and carriers for our three beloved cats.
Now that our luggage is packed, we can concentrate on our task. My son was given an unexpected day off because Kyiv's schools had already moved to internet education (not that there was much of a mood for courses today). He has no idea what caused it and seemed unconcerned; after all, school closures at random became the norm under lockdown.
Meanwhile, Ukraine will remain steadfast. It isn't the first time in our history that we have stood up to an imperial threat. Over the previous century, we have endured famines organized by the Soviet Union, GULAGs, and attacks on Ukraine's intellectual leaders.
Putin denies Ukraine's existence. He may write insane papers and give crazy speeches claiming that there is no such thing as Ukraine and that we are all Russians. But, unlike many Russians, we Ukrainians have tasted independence and have it imprinted on our DNA. We are two distinct individuals.
