Vladimir Putin at a meeting in the Kremlin.
Share this @internewscast.com

DESPERATE locals in one of Ukraine’s hardest hit cities yesterday urged Russia to sign up to the 30-day ceasefire plan.

As President Volodymyr Zelensky was hosting European leaders in Kyiv, war weary residents in Kharkiv were praying for peace.

Vladimir Putin at a meeting in the Kremlin.
Residents of Kharkiv are urging Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire and stop relentlessly bombarding the cityCredit: EPA

The eastern city of 1.3million people is just a few miles from the front line and has suffered a non-stop bombardment since the war began.

Around a quarter of the city has been destroyed, thousands have been killed and 700,000 people have fled.

Residents who stayed behind expressed to The Sun their exhaustion from the ongoing conflict and their desire for Vladimir Putin to accept the ceasefire suggested by Ukraine, the United States, and European nations.

But they are so used to an almost daily bombardment they struggle to believe the crazed tyrant will agree to lay down his arms.

Seamstress Valentina Hoydenko, 65, is one of those whose family has paid the ultimate price.

She said: “My son joined the army last year and was killed a few months later.

“We have lost too much and we are tired and we want peace.

“I really hope it will happen and I hope Putin agrees to this deal but I find it hard to believe he will.

“The shelling never stops. Two days ago I heard a missile go over which hit a market.

“My own house has been damaged and is now being repaired.

Ukrainian hospital blown up in Russian drone attack hours after Trump and Zelensky’s explosive Oval Office spat

“People are so used to it that they hardly turn their heads when a drone or a missile goes over.

“We want peace and we hope Putin agrees to a ceasefire as a first step but it is hard to find the faith that he will.”

The city is just 18 miles from the border and is so close to enemy troops that Russian missiles can reach it in less than a minute.

But it is hoped that a 30-day ceasefire would lead to a more permanent peace and an end to the non-stop blitz.

Portrait of Vadim Medvediuk in Saltivka, near Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Vadim Medvediuk, 25, says he wants the war to end and welcomes a possible 30-day ceasefireCredit: Chris Eades

After enduring three years of war, 25-year-old administrative assistant Vadim Medvediuk shared that he no longer goes to the shelter when alarms go off unless he believes his building is directly threatened.

He said: “Everyone is so used to attacks that they treat it as an ordinary daily event.

“I don’t even bother going to the air raid shelter now when the siren sounds.

“I only head to the shelter if I can hear the drone distinctly. I live on the 9th floor of a 16-story apartment building, so if there’s a real risk of it being targeted, I hope to hear it in time and then I’ll seek refuge,” he explained.

“We are really tired of the war and want it to end. This 30-day plan would be a good first step in getting there.

“But would Russia stick to it? There was supposed to be a ceasefire over the last few days but the attacks continued.”

Those attacks included one in Sumy which killed an 85-year-old woman, injured three others and destroyed 19 homes, all when Russia was supposed to be observing a three-day ceasefire to mark Friday’s Victory Parade.

Another strike hit the eastern Donetsk region injuring one person setting two apartment blocks on fire.

Rescuers who raced to the scene were then targeted in a “double tap” strike.

And in Kherson a 58-year-old was injured in a drone attack.

Portrait of Valentina Hoydenko in Saltivka, near Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Valentina Hoydenko, 65, says her son was killed shortly after joining the Ukraine armyCredit: Chris Eades
Firefighters extinguishing a fire in a damaged residential building.
Kharkiv is just is just 18 miles from the border and has been mercilessly attacked by RussiaCredit: AFP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Remains of last female Hamas hostage and IDF soldier handed over to Israel

Israel Receives Remains of Final Female Hamas Hostage and IDF Soldier

Amb. Waltz: No one will be left behind in Gaza U.S. Ambassador…
'Filipino Towns' around the US preserve history and raise community's visibility

Filipino American Communities Across the US Preserve Heritage and Elevate Cultural Awareness

Four centuries ago, Filipinos first set foot on North American soil. Today,…
City of Harvey seeks approval from Illinois to be declared 'financially distressed' city, officials speak out, questions raised

Harvey’s Financial Crisis: Illinois City Seeks ‘Distressed’ Status Amid Growing Concerns

In an unexpected twist of events, the City of Harvey, Illinois, is…
Parents of 2 US citizens demand return of their sons’ bodies and all deceased hostages held by Hamas in Gaza

Families of Two U.S. Citizens Urge for the Repatriation of Their Sons’ Bodies and All Deceased Hostages Held by Hamas in Gaza

Two American citizens remained among the hostages killed by Hamas as of…
Jacksonville Prepares for Major 'No Kings Day' Protest

Jacksonville Gears Up for Significant ‘No Kings Day’ Demonstration

Thousands are gearing up to participate in the No Kings Day protest…
McDonald's worker shoots customer in neck during 'McMess' altercation, Florida sheriff says

Florida McDonald’s Incident: Employee Allegedly Shoots Customer Amid Dispute, Reports Sheriff

A recent incident at a McDonald’s in Polk County, Florida, took a…
On is sued over running shoe's allegedly "loud, embarrassing" squeak

Running Shoe Company Faces Lawsuit Over Annoying Squeaky Noise

The popular running shoe brand, On, is facing legal action from several…
Amazon Prime offers holiday gas deal: How to redeem the perk

Unlock Amazon Prime’s Exclusive Holiday Gas Discount: Step-by-Step Guide to Redeem Your Savings

Amazon is bringing some relief to its Prime members with a special…
Rapper D4vd claimed he 'trained' Celeste Hernandez -- who joked about 'raping kids' in resurfaced Twitch video: 'Delete everything'

Controversial Twitch Past: D4vd’s Connection to Celeste Hernandez’s Shocking Comments Revealed

Recent attention has turned towards rapper D4vd following the discovery of a…
78-year-old man missing in Oregon may have fallen in hole; police ask for help

Urgent Search: Oregon Police Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing 78-Year-Old Man Feared Fallen in Hole

In a bid to locate a missing elderly resident, Oregon authorities are…
Foster Farms expands corn dog recall

Foster Farms Expands Recall: Corn Dogs Pulled from Shelves Nationwide Over Safety Concerns

In a concerning health alert, injuries linked to pieces of wood found…
'No Kings' protest in St. Augustine

St. Augustine’s ‘No Kings’ Protest Draws Attention: Citizens Rally for Equality and Justice

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Protesters gathered in St. Augustine on Saturday as…