Ukrainian women boost their spirits by singing the national anthem in an underground bunker


Defiant Ukrainian kept up their spirits on Friday while sheltering in underground bunkers as the Russian army advances through their county.

The group of women were filmed singing in the city of Cherkasy, a city of 270,000 people 120 miles south of Kyiv.

They did so as Cherkasy braced itself for the oncoming Russian onslaught which hit Kyiv late Friday and into early Saturday. 

A video on social media showed women in a basement on Friday night, resolutely singing the national anthem as they awaited the onslaught. 

‘Ukraine is not yet dead, nor its glory and freedom,’ they sang in their native tongue, waiting out the bombing and the gunfire in what they hope is a safe place.

‘Luck will still smile on us brother-Ukrainians. 

‘Our enemies will die, as the dew does in the sunshine,

‘and we, too, brothers, we’ll live happily in our land. 

‘We’ll not spare either our souls or bodies to get freedom

‘And we will prove that we brothers are of Cossack kin’

A video on social media showed women in a basement on Friday night, resolutely singing the national anthem as they awaited the onslaught.

A video on social media showed women in a basement on Friday night, resolutely singing the national anthem as they awaited the onslaught.

'Ukraine is not yet dead, nor its glory and freedom,' women sang as they waited out the bombing and the gunfire in what they hope was a safe place

 ‘Ukraine is not yet dead, nor its glory and freedom,’ women sang as they waited out the bombing and the gunfire in what they hope was a safe place

The Ukrainian national anthem, which was written in 1862, is aptly entitled ‘Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished.’ 

The soaring music was composed by priest/composer Mykhailo Verbytsky in 1863 and the patriotic poem of Pavlo Chubynsky’s  was tweaked slightly when it was paired together. 

It gained popularity during the early 1900s when Ukraine sought to form an independent state from parts of Russia, Poland and Austria-Hungary.

The final lyric refers to the Cossack people, an ethnic combination of Slavic and Turkish people known for their expert horsemanship. They were said to be originally runaway serfs who defied the social order and sought their freedom on the wilds of the steppe.

Russian troops are now advancing on Kyiv from the north and east, with US intelligence saying the plan is to besiege the city, capture an airport, and fly in paratroopers who would then attack the capital. The aim would be to capture the government and force them to sign a peace treaty handing control of the country back to Russia or a Russian puppet

Russian troops are now advancing on Kyiv from the north and east, with US intelligence saying the plan is to besiege the city, capture an airport, and fly in paratroopers who would then attack the capital. The aim would be to capture the government and force them to sign a peace treaty handing control of the country back to Russia or a Russian puppet

The song speaks to the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainians who have chosen to fight the overwhelming force of 190,000 Russian troops that massed on the country’s Eastern border. 

The Cherkasy province, which sits on both sides of the Dnieper River 118 miles to the south of the capital of Kiev, has scene its share of the war.

Footage of Russian artillery raining down on the city and killing a cyclist on the street has been making the rounds on social media.

A Russian jet plane was shot down over Zolotonosha in the Cherkasy region and the pilot parachuted to safety. Local authorities asked residents to keep an eye out for the pilot who they said would try to blend into the population.

On Thursday night, a child was born in the back of an ambulance in Kiev.

After news of Mia's birth spread, she was hailed a 'miracle' and a beacon of hope in Ukraine and Kyiv's darkest times

After news of Mia’s birth spread, she was hailed a ‘miracle’ and a beacon of hope in Ukraine and Kyiv’s darkest times

The little boy, seen here with his mother can have no idea of the turmoil around in as Russia's force mass on Kyiv

The little boy, seen here with his mother can have no idea of the turmoil around in as Russia’s force mass on Kyiv

Elsewhere underneath a maternity ward in the basement a baby boy was born away from chaotic and violent scenes outside

Elsewhere underneath a maternity ward in the basement a baby boy was born away from chaotic and violent scenes outside

As Kyiv was attacked by Russian forces, inside a bomb shelter a little baby girl called Mia was finally brought into the world

As Kyiv was attacked by Russian forces, inside a bomb shelter a little baby girl called Mia was finally brought into the world

Officer Mykola Shlapak, who came to the woman’s aid when she heard her screams as she went into labor, said said she called an ambulance which took them both to hospital, where both the mother and daughter, Mia, are resting safely.

The little girl’s arrival was hailed a miracle and one woman to declared ‘Your birth is hope in this dismal time’.

The incredible delivery was revealed by Chairwoman of Democracy in Action Conference Hannah Hopko. 

After news of Mia's birth spread, she was hailed a 'miracle' and a beacon of hope in Ukraine and Kyiv's darkest times

After news of Mia’s birth spread, she was hailed a ‘miracle’ and a beacon of hope in Ukraine and Kyiv’s darkest times

‘Mia was born in shelter this night in stressful environment- bombing of Kyiv,’ she said. 

‘Her mom is happy after this challenging birth giving.

‘When Putin kills Ukrainians we call mothers of Russia and Belarus to protest against Russia war in Ukraine . We defend lives and humanity.’

More than 50 explosions and heavy machine gun fire were reported in the district of Shulyavka, near Beresteiska metro and the zoo, according to The Kyiv Independent.

Photos posted to social media showed what they said were explosions in Kyiv on Friday night

Photos posted to social media showed what they said were explosions in Kyiv on Friday night

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the nation from a secret location in the capital, had a dire warning for his embattled and defiant people on Friday night.

‘Russia will try to break our resistance with all its might,’ he said, in a video posted to social media. 

‘Tonight the enemy will begin storming us. We need to withstand them!’

The United States has offered to evacuate Zelensky and his family, but the president is refusing to leave. 

On Thursday evening he told the country he was aware that he was ‘target number one’ for Russian assassins, but he and his family would not leave. 

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