Young violinist from Ukraine plays music amidst bombings

As the war in Russia and Ukraine still continues, a young woman living in a bunker playing violin has gone viral. The reason is to try to lift the spirits of her cellar mates by holding small concerts.

War

As Russia invades Ukraine, about 30 million Ukrainians have fleed the country and are taking refuge in the neighboring countries. The Ukrainian Government says 600 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured so far in the war.

Many Ukrainians are living in bunkers to escape the Russian airstrikes.

Meanwhile, musician Vera Lytovchenko is staying in the basement of a building in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. Vera can be seen playing her violin and cheering her companions down there in the bunker. People all over the world are watching this viral video on the internet.

Painkiller

Vera, who plays Vivaldi and Ukrainian melodies, said, "Bombs can fall everywhere in our city, so we decided to go down in the cella. We're about 12 people now. We have little boys. We have teenagers. We have old women. All these people are my brothers and sisters now. I was trying to make them think about something and not about the war for some minutes while I'm playing."

I'm not a politician

"I'm not a politician, a doctor, or a war veteran. This is all I know. I'm doing my best to help people," she said.

Vera, 39, also raises funds for war victims through her music. Vera recalls that her student once played the violin in the middle of the battlefield, which she said was her driving force.

Comfort

Vera said her students and fellow music teachers have been retrieving musical instruments and comforting people wherever they are. Commenting on this, she said, "Those in the building where I am staying are now relatives. They are as affectionate as our own siblings. My students and teachers are also involved in this work."

People all over the world are watching Vera's video where she comforts the people during the ongoing war with her music.