Ukrainians flock to Kyiv ski slopes as missile strikes ease on capital amid fresh calls for warplanes in fight against Russia
- Skiers and snowboarders flocked to Protasiv Yar ski resort near downtown Kyiv
- It comes just as Russia’s devastating missile strikes have eased in the capital
Families flooded to Kyiv’s ski slopes today as missile strikes have died down in Ukraine’s war-torn capital.
With the nation entering its first full winter since Russia’s catastrophic invasion last year, many flocked to Protasiv Yar ski resort near to downtown Kyiv.
The complex, which opened to the public on December 8, welcomes around two to three thousand visitors on weekend days, with soldiers sometimes given free access.
Crowds clutching skis and snowboards were snapped queuing up to take on the slopes which are expected to remain open until March 20.
Others were spotted taking selfies and chatting with friends on top of the hill overlooking its battle-scarred surroundings.
Families have flooded to Protasiv Yar ski resort’s ski slopes today near to downtown Kyiv as missile strikes have eased in Ukraine’s war-torn capital
This escape from the harsh wartime reality comes just after missile strikes have eased in the capital.
Moscow unleashed a wave of attacks on virtually every major Ukrainian city during the last few months, knocking out critical infrastructure and burying civilians under debris.
One of the deadliest strikes occurred in central Dnipro, where a nine-storey apartment block crumbled, killing at least five people and injuring 27.
Damage to critical infrastructure also forced Ukraine into electricity shutdowns so that operators could work on repairs.
Kyiv’s citizens were among many others driven to cooking days in advance, wearing extra layers and staying home in the darkness on alert for the next Russian attack.
One person previously told The Daily Mail: ‘I’d rather sit here in the cold and darkness than under occupation by Putin.’
Crowds with skis and snowboards were snapped queuing up for the lift to take on the slopes which are expected to remain open until March 20
Others were captured taking selfies and chatting with friends on top of the hill overlooking its battle-scarred surroundings
The winter sport escape from the wartime reality comes just after missile strikes have eased
Last week, Ukraine finally convinced Western leaders to send in dozens of tanks which are hoped to falter Putin’s invasion.
Britain was praised for its decisive commitment to send battle Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine amid a complicated diplomatic dance that eventually saw Germany sending Leopard 2 tanks as well.
The Biden administration also sent an entire battalion of 31 M1 Abrams tanks to the frontline.
But today, Ukraine’s defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, urged that the nation had received everything from its ‘wish list to Santa’, except planes.
President Zelensky is seeking newer western fighter jets that can reach speeds of more than 1,200mph to additionally help war efforts.
So far, Ukraine has won support from Baltic nations and Poland in its quest to obtain these western fighter jets.
Building destroyed by a Russian missile attack in the town of Glevakha, Kyiv. Pictured: January 27
But Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said earlier this week that it was ‘not currently practical’ to send RAF jets from the UK.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: ‘The UK’s Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets are extremely sophisticated and take months to learn how to fly. Given that, we believe it is not practical to send those jets into Ukraine.’
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