Mykhailo was in Kherson when the first explosions rang out in the city on February 24, 2022. At first, he couldn't believe that this was a real full-scale invasion - everyone around him felt fear and surprise. People began to gather on the streets, some tried to leave the city, but many roads were quickly blocked due to shelling and military action. Mykhailo, like many others, found himself in a situation of uncertainty and isolation, where he remained without contact with his family and cut off from the rest of the country. When russian troops entered Kherson, fear turned to anger and despair. Local residents were not ready to give up - even under occupation, Kherson residents organized peaceful protests, went out with Ukrainian flags and called for not giving up.