TEMPO.CO, Kyiv - The sounds of air raid sirens were eerily heard from the central part of Kyiv in Ukraine on Wednesday, April 13, as a Tempo roamed the area. The sirens were heard up to Brovarskyi, located roughly 15 kilometers from Independence Square.

According to a Kyiv resident named Victor Lechuk, the air raid sirens once in a while were heard blasting from city central despite Ukrainian armies taking back control of the city. “The sirens act as a warning for a possible air raid and artillery raid,” he said on April 13, describing his state of mind every time sirens blast.

The Ukrainian government has remained on standby since the first day of the Russian military invasion at the end of February. A curfew has also been set in place amidst the tense situation.

Another Kyiv resident, Gerbert Fargradyan (26), said the sirens in the past week were seldom heard compared to the constant warning in the first weeks of the military invasion. “Residents more often choose to stay indoors and in bunkers.”

Fortunately, life in Kyiv is slowly starting to return to normal despite the Russian aggression not showing signs of ending soon. On April 10, Tempo observed a number of restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores starting to open with customers ranging from civilians and people wearing military attire.

“We have been serving guests at the restaurant for the past week,” said Yuriy, a waiter at the Khacapuri & Wine Restaurant in Velyka. However, he said the restaurant is yet able to serve customers at full dining capacity. They even have to drop menu items to be able to swiftly serve customers.

"President Zelensky called for his people to revive the economy post-war, and the culinary business is one of the quickest sectors to rise,” said Tempo’s translator Vladyslav Doroshets.

Read: Story of an Indonesian in Bucha amid War in Ukraine

RAYMUNDUS RIKANG (KYIV)