September in Ukraine: a glimpse through Rubryka's lens

Over the past month, Russia has intensified its terror campaign against Ukrainian civilians. At times, it felt as though all of September was one continuous air raid siren—which was practically the case, at least in Kyiv, where part of Rubryka's team is based. The month brought relentless strikes on warehouses and civilian infrastructure, direct hits, destruction, smoke, and tears. We feared our monthly photo report would end up entirely bleak.

Yet, as always, Ukrainians prove their resilience. True to the spirit of the famous Ukrainian poet Lesia Ukrainka, who wrote of "laughing through tears," people here are masters at finding rays of sunshine through the clouds.

Faced with a new air raid alert system color-coded with red and yellow threat levels, people quietly hummed Skriabin's song, "Life is beautiful when it's colorful." WOW Ukraine NGO restored the bell of a 10th-century church, a reminder that Kyiv stood long before these bombardments and will stand long after, rooted in its ancient history. Locals even paused to admire chestnut trees blooming out of season this autumn—a phenomenon attributed to stress that resonated deeply with everyone.

But why take our word for it… See for yourself in Rubryka's new photo report.

• A reconstructed bell of the Church of the Tithes was presented in Kyiv. The public organization Ukraine WOW recreated it in cooperation with the National Museum of the History of Ukraine and with support from Ukraine's Ministry of Culture. Researchers from Ukraine, the Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal worked on the project. The project was implemented without state funding, thanks to Ukrainian businesses.

^{Photo credit: Rubryka's journalist Vlad Lesyk}

• In Kyiv's Darnytskyi district, a drone hit a residential high-rise during a Russian attack., injuring four people.

^{Photo credit: Rubryka's photo journalist Mykola Tymchenko}

• Despite daily attacks, Ukrainians continue rebuilding, prioritizing environmental care, and driving energy efficiency. For example, residents of the "Nash Komfort 16" home condominium association in Bucha have been sorting garbage and composting organic waste for seven years. Following the de-occupation, they set up a warming shelter in the courtyard equipped with a stove and a water barrel. Recently, they installed solar panels on the roof. Together, these measures reduce the building's shared operational costs, allowing residents to invest savings back into modernization and green spaces while inspiring other housing association leaders to adopt energy and environmental solutions. Rubryka toured the Bucha condominium association to learn how residents lower utility bills, boost energy efficiency, and protect the environment all at once.

^{Photo credit: Rubryka's photo journalist Mykola Tymchenko}

• Russian forces attacked Kyiv overnight on September 11. The strike damaged residential buildings, with injuries reported in two districts of the capital. A fire broke out in a nine-story apartment building in the Dniprovskyi district. Eight people have been reported injured so far.

^{Photo credit: Rubryka's photo journalist Mykola Tymchenko}

• On September 20, the ninth World Cleanup Day took place in more than 212 countries and territories. In Ukraine, more than 78,000 people have already joined the global campaign, cleaning up 11,979 locations across different regions of the country and holding environmental activities abroad.

^{Photo credit: Rubryka's photo journalist Mykola Tymchenko}

• Chestnut trees are blooming again across Ukrainian cities, creating a beautiful sight despite signaling an underlying environmental issue. Dendrologists and ecologists explain that autumn blooming stems from severe plant stress—primarily driven by horse-chestnut leaf miner infestations, climate change, and urban pollution.

^{Photo credit: Rubryka's photo journalist Mykola Tymchenko}

…There could have been a few more photos here showing the tragic aftermath of Russian attacks, but we won't overload you with those grim images. Either way, please keep supporting Ukraine in its tough struggle—together, we will win.

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