Kyiv residents fearful, helpless as Russian troops approach

On Monday, Day Five of Russia's massive attack on Ukraine, Kyiv's defenders seemed to have been successful at pushing the Russian attackers back to the outskirts and outer suburbs of the capital of Ukraine. Inside the city, the Ukrainian military is hunting for Russian saboteurs.

For civilians, it has come down to basic survival — and not just because of the military strikes rocking their city. For the first time in decades, there's a shortage of medicines, bread and other basic food in the city.

On Monday morning, there were a lot more people and vehicles on the city streets than in previous days. After a day and a half of complete curfew, many residents were leaving their homes to replenish stocks of food, drinking water and medicines.

The city authorities said they would deliver food to shops, but it was still apparent there were shortages throughout the city. In central Kyiv, locals queued for up to two hours in front of supermarkets. There was neither bread, nor fresh fruit and vegetables. The only dairy products still available were those with a long shelf life.

In many supermarkets, the only products available were cakes, pastries and tobacco'

Most shoppers showed understanding that they couldn't get what they wanted. But they were also very concerned about how this city of three million was going to continue to be supplied with groceries. The closest farmer's market was already closed by February 24, after the first shelling on the outskirts of Kyiv took place.

City services still ticking

Queues in front of the pharmacies were somewhat shorter. But even here, there were between 20 and 30 people waiting.

"Why are the pharmacies not considered critical infrastructure?" asked an older woman who was clearly frightened. She is diabetic, she said, and other family members have high blood pressure. "My sister has a heart condition and my son-in-law is epileptic," she added. "The pharmacies should be staying open around the clock, especially now!"

So far, Kyiv's municipal authorities have managed to largely keep city services operating. Electricity, heating and hot water are all available — apart from some of the neighborhoods where there has been fighting.