The incredible delivery was later shared on Twitter by Chairwoman of Democracy in Action Conference Hannah Hopko, where she revealed the baby has been named “Mia”.As bombs and missiles rained down on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, a young woman went into labour and gave birth at an underground shelter. Now, the image of the newborn girl is being hailed as a ‘beacon of hope’ in the war-torn country.
As Russia continues to attack Ukraine, citizens have been using subway stations as make-shift bomb shelters. One of them, a 23-year-old expecting mother, soon began experiencing labour pains and delivered a baby amid the extraordinary circumstances.
The Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security announced the news on Telegram and Facebook. “Two hours ago a baby was born in the Kyiv subway. This is the kind of news that gives hope!”
An image going viral across social media platforms showed the newborn wrapped in a blanket nestled at her mother’s bosom, as people sat on chairs at the station.
According to Daily Mail, the child was born around 8.30 pm on Friday “as she hid protected from the onslaught in a shelter in the city as gunfire raged outside.” The report added that Ukrainian police heard the mother’s screams and rushed in to help. “One officer Mykola Shlapak said they helped her deliver the little girl and called an ambulance which took them both to hospital.”
The incredible delivery was later shared on Twitter by Chairwoman of Democracy in Action Conference Hannah Hopko, where she revealed the baby has been named “Mia”. Commenting about the “stressful environment” in which the mother gave birth, she wrote: “When Putin kills Ukrainians, we appeal to mothers in Russia and Belarus to protest against the Russian war in Ukraine [sic].”
Mia was born in shelter this night in stressful environment- bombing of Kyiv. Her mom is happy after this challenging birth giving. When Putin kills Ukrainians we call mothers of Russia and Belarus to protest against Russia war in Ukraine . We defend lives and humanity ! pic.twitter.com/qsBDcfc1Q9
— Hanna Hopko (@HopkoHanna) February 25, 2022
However, it wasn’t just Mia’s birth story that went viral. Ivan Korol, whose Facebook says he works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said his wife gave birth to their child amid the Russian attack.
“Last night, to the roar of Gostomel and the howling of sirens, my wife gave birth to my daughter! Like a star in the dark at such a difficult time .. Vikusya, you are incredible!” the man wrote, sharing a few images from the maternity centre that is also acting as a bomb shelter for many expecting women.
There have been other reports of how a neonatal unit had to rush in with all their medical equipment and babies to a makeshift shelter when airstrikes were launched. A viral video showed the tiny infants being taken by brave doctors and nurses to the basement of the building in Dnipro.
As the story of the little babies went viral, heartbroken readers and viewers across the globe urged world leaders to “make Putin stop”. Many women joined the conversation to say they can’t imagine what these mothers must be going through while trying to ensure their child’s safety.
Life…finds a way. https://t.co/DjgmbGaQrb
— Antonio García Martínez (agm.eth) (@antoniogm) February 26, 2022
This hurts my heart. This should not be happening. https://t.co/JTiemkukco
— k e l (@meus_mama) February 26, 2022
God in the midst of this horror for the Ukranian people this poor woman gives birth to her beautiful baby girl I can’t imagine the fear she feels right now. https://t.co/F5qTgbnBLZ
— Jackie Foley (@foleyjackie823) February 25, 2022
Born in what must have been some of the most stressful circumstances ever… In an underground metro station/bomb shelter in Kyiv, during the Russian invasion…!!
Baby Mia 💞 A little shining beacon of hope during some of the darkest times. pic.twitter.com/9PUV96Hq8E— The London Chatter (@TheLDNChatter) February 26, 2022
🇺🇦‼️‼️🙏This little Ukrainian girl Mia was born in Kyiv this night in a bomb shelter.
May the world see the birth of this little angel.
May God give health to mother and child.
STOP THE WAR, STOP PUTIN!
SUPPORT TO UKRAINE!!!#StopPutinNOW pic.twitter.com/ZckiQB9jOC— Oksana Lyniv (@LynivOksana) February 25, 2022
I gave birth to my daughter Mia while Covid-positive, hospitals overwhelmed, no vaccine available, and thought it was the worst context possible. It was nothing compared to this. My heart is breaking. #ukraine #kyiv https://t.co/47xH0jIqsA
— Ioana Teleanu (@uxgoodies) February 25, 2022
Children bring us a piece of heaven on earth. #Mia was born in subway shelter last night in #Kyiv. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/0AotUzURpX
— Anirban Bhattacharya (@aanirbanbh) February 26, 2022
I’m 24 weeks pregnant. I cannot imagine having to have my baby in a shelter. I pray for the safety of this baby and all the people who will have helped this incredible lady. And all who are going through this absolute atrocity 🇬🇧🇺🇦
— Emma Bowman (@EmBow1986) February 25, 2022
I wouldn’t have survived my own birth without medical intensive care 42 years ago. I always think of the courageous women who are able to give birth in a bomb cellar 😭😭😭 They are the real silent heroes nobody cares although we should mention them in novels!!! ❤❤❤❤❤
— Bernadette Nemeth (@BernadetNemeth) February 25, 2022
When Mia is older and Ukraine is safe from threats, her mom is going to tell her about how difficult it was to bring her into the world, but also that millions of people all over the world celebrated when she got here.
— Amanda Kohut (@AmandaKohut) February 25, 2022
As a mother I can only imagine and speculate how this is for you. You are your newborn are in my thoughts.
You are so strong. You are brave. You are a Ukrainian mother.
May your strength and resolve keep you and Mia through this time.
❤️🇺🇦🌻❤️
— 🚺 (@And_Richelle_) February 26, 2022
Welcome to the world beautiful Mia. You don’t know the terrible circumstances of your birth, but you have the love of your amazing mother and the love of thousands of strangers to keep you warm and safe ❤️
— Jem (@JemJemma) February 25, 2022
may god bless this little warrior, they are a symbol of hope 🙏🕊 #Ukraine #PrayForUkraine
— Ⓐ⍟NiceB⎊𐋀 🌸🎋 (@hasepshutneqbet) February 25, 2022
A reminder that innocence and new life is precious and love triumphs over hatred no matter the situation
— Twinkletoes (@karen_shelters) February 26, 2022
Welcome to life, Mia! I hope we could give you a better world as soon as possible.
— Themildcloudygirl (@Themildcloudyg1) February 25, 2022
Welcome Mia to this world, your country is fighting for you to have a bright future in a great Nation.
— Alєlí Liguria 🇦🇷🇺🇾🇺🇸 – 🐾♻️✈️🖊 🏡 (@AleliLiguria) February 25, 2022
Welcome to the world Mia! I’m so sorry you were born in this terrible process. But you brought great hope to your family. There are hundreds of people all over the world who support you and your family, don’t forget that honey 🤍
~ one of your sisters from Turkey 🇺🇦 🇹🇷— Miss Mükemmeliyetçi (@MMukemmeliyetci) February 26, 2022
Best of Express Premium
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.
