In Ukraine's Kharkiv, ballet offers 'rebirth' after bombs and bullets

Ballerinas practise for the revival of 'Chopiniana,' the first since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, in the underground area of the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre amid ongoing attacks, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, April 26, 2025. "In spite of everything - the fact that bombs are flying, drones, and everything else - we can give a gift of something wonderful to people," said ballerina Antonina Radiievska, 43. "They can come and, even if it's just for an hour or two, completely immerse themselves in a different world." REUTERS/Marko Djurica SEARCH "DJURICA UKRAINE BALLET" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

KHARKIV, Ukraine (Reuters) -In the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, it's hard to escape the war with Russia.

On some days, when the wind blows in the right direction, residents of the historic city can hear the boom of artillery fire from the front line, some 30 km (20 miles) away.