INTERNATIONAL: As Russian bombs rain on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, babies are being born in cellars of maternity hospitals in the city.

Alena Shinkar was admitted to one of Kyiv’s maternity hospitals two weeks ago because of pregnancy complications. On the morning of February 24, she was woken up early in the morning by the sound of an explosion nearby and screams of other women in the hospital.

“I saw women giving birth in here, just in basement. And they were all in blood because they had for example C-section and then alarmhas started and they need to go down so basically, they did not even have time to lie after the C- section,” said Alena, herself 32 weeks pregnant with her first baby.

“We are living in real hell. I never imagined that something like this could happen the 21st century, in the capital of a European country,“ she has said.

“Hopefully, this one will see peace, ” the 32-year old mom has said gently stroking her pregnant belly.

Despite all odds, the new mums were beaming with joy and were full of appreciation for the work of the

“We are safe here, the best personnel in the world, the best staff works here and we are very proud of them,” said Yula who gave birth to her son Mark on February 28.