An Ukrainian journalist working with the BBC teared up on live television on Friday as she was shown footage of her house in Kyiv, destroyed in the Russian invasion. Olga Malchevska was discussing the latest developments in the war with her colleague Karin Giannione, when the footage appeared on the screen. "This building is my home," Malchevska told presenter Giannone at the studio in London. "I can't believe what I am seeing is where I used to live.” While speaking, Malchevska received a text message from her mother, who she said was taking shelter in the basement of another building. "I've just got a message from my mum," she said, picking up her phone. "She's been taking shelter, she's hiding in the basement. Luckily she wasn't in our building." View this post on Instagram A post shared by BBC News (@bbcnews) “When we agreed yesterday to come to the studio in the morning, I could not have imagined that at 3 am London time I would find out that my home is bombed,” Malchevska said. After the segment was aired, Giannione took to Twitter to say she and her colleagues did not know until the footage was shown that Malchevska had a direct link to the building. “Thankfully Olga’s family is safe,” Giannione added. The moment my @bbcukrainian colleague @Yollika sees pictures of her family home, partially destroyed overnight in #Kyiv. We did not know until that moment it was her actual building that had been hit. Thankfully Olga’s family is safe. pic.twitter.com/rglna1tvEA — Karin Giannone (@KarinBBC) February 25, 2022 The video quickly garnered a lot of attention across social media sites. Many were in awe of how Malchevska managed to keep calm. “This brings home the reality and pain of war and the palpable horror involved,” a Twitter user wrote. “In this day of 24 hour news and social media, it's easy to become a spectator and removed from the reality and destruction involved,” the user added. An extraordinary on-air moment… and so well handled by both @KarinBBC and @Yollika 🇺🇦 — Kamahl Santamaria (@KamahlAJE) February 25, 2022 What a moment. This is heartbreaking. Love and strength to fellow journalist @Yollika and her family: — Caryn Lieberman (@caryn_lieberman) February 25, 2022 good lord, poor Olga - so glad her family is safe. Really well handled, Karin. — Kate Bevan 🇺🇦 (@katebevan) February 25, 2022 Thank you for showing Olga such sensitivity and not pushing her. I was holding my breath for so much of this interview. Such a dire situation. — Rosa (@SirRosalot) February 25, 2022 So tragic for her. It takes footage like this to put the invasion into perspective. We are almost immune to stock ‘war footage’. This brings it closer to home — Ben Bull (@captainbully) February 25, 2022 This brings home the reality and pain of war and the palpable horror involved. My heart goes out to @Yollika and her family. In this day of 24 hour news and social media, it's easy to become a spectator and removed from the reality and destruction involved. — Daniel Rintoul (@danielrintoul) February 25, 2022 It's too easy - when you're not in the centre of things- to think of war as an abstract idea. Visceral moments like this really give me a much needed punch in the gut. Thanks, Olga. — Abel M'Vada (@AbelMVada) February 25, 2022 This was tough to watch but the world needs to see how devastating war is on everyday people. @Yollika I’m sorry this is happening to you and your country — Phil Jonas (@PhilSJonas) February 25, 2022 Calm and considerate. Ever the professional Karin. My thoughts are with Olga and her family. 😟 — Graham Witcher. (@grahamwitch1) February 25, 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “military operation” in Ukraine on Thursday. Russian forces have entered the country from several sides, and have advanced on the capital, Kyiv. Ukrainian officials warned of street fighting on Saturday, and urged residents to take shelter.
