Attack of the “Shaheeds” on Bankova: residential buildings were destroyed by debris, the mother of a Kyiv developer was among the victims

Photo of the State Emergency ServiceOn New Year’s Eve, Kyiv again became the target of Russian “Shakhed” kamikaze drones. This attack caused the destruction of residential buildings, left two dead and seven injured. Among them is 90-year-old Aliya Aliyeva, the mother of the famous Kyiv developer Vagif Aliyev.

Aliya Aliyeva has been living in Kyiv since the early 80s. She celebrated the New Year in her apartment in the Pechersk district. Her eldest son, Vagif Aliyev, came to congratulate the mother before the holiday, who offered to take her to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren for the celebration. However, she refused. Then the son wanted to stay with her for the night, but Ms. Alia insisted that he return home.

Photo of the State Emergency ServiceAround six o’clock in the morning, a powerful explosion destroyed the silence of the New Year’s morning. Aliya Ismailivna woke up from the shock wave, finding herself in the midst of destruction and chaos.

“I thought about only one thing – whether all my relatives are alive. I thank God that my son listened to me and went,” Ms. Aliya said.

The rescuers who arrived at the scene helped the woman to get out of the damaged apartment. Due to her advanced age and health problems, she had limited mobility, which complicated the situation. However, her condition was stabilized, and she is currently under the supervision of doctors.

Aliya Aliyeva was born in Baku, but her family moved to Ukraine more than forty years ago. Her son, Vagif Aliyev, was born in Ashgabat and became one of Kyiv’s leading developers. Despite the war, Ms. Aliya remained in her home, because, according to her, Ukraine became a second Motherland for her family. “I have a home in Baku and Ashgabat, I can leave at any moment, but this is my land. My granddaughters and great-grandchildren were born here, and we will never leave it,” she says.

According to the woman, in the first days of the full-scale invasion, she offered her son Vagif Aliyev to take her granddaughters and great-grandchildren abroad, but he categorically refused.

“He said that Ukraine is our home and we should stay here to support our country and help rebuild it. He never left Ukraine during the war,” Ms. Aliya adds.

Photo of the State Emergency ServiceAliya Aliyeva has rich life experience, because she survived the Second World War as a child. She never thought she would see war again at this age. However, her spirit remains unbreakable.

“I am sure that Ukraine will stand. Our people are strong and united. We will definitely win,” she says.