As civilians are evacuated from the besieged city, three young people tell of their terrifying escape and how their lives have been changed for ever
Russia-Ukraine war: latest updates
The months before the war were the best of my life. I was in my second year at university and one of the best students on the course. But the thing that brought my life true meaning was playing ice hockey. It was what I woke for every morning. On 23 February our coach told me of plans to set up a women’s hockey team to try and reach the professional league. I went to bed so happy, looking forward to the next day.