How NOT to Flee a War: Staying, Surviving & Leaving Kyiv | Maria Romanenko & Jez Myers

What does it really mean to flee a war, and what happens if you don’t? In this powerful interview, Ukrainian journalist Maria Romanenko and photographer Jez Myers speak with Bella Munoz ahead of the Lewes Speaker Festival about their experience of living in Kyiv during the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. They chose to stay, at first. What follows is a deeply human account of life under bombardment, impossible decisions made in real time, and the moment staying was no longer an option. From frontline reporting to their own escape, this is a story of resilience, risk, and the reality behind the headlines. Clear-eyed, honest, and unexpectedly uplifting—this is a rare window into war as it’s lived, not just reported.

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