Kyiv McDonald's survives repeated bombings, serving as a refuge for locals
Ukraine's longest-targeted McDonald’s in Kyiv has reopened after multiple attacks, while actress Hayden Panettiere was reported dead at age 36.
The McDonald’s restaurant in Kyiv’s Lukianivka district, which has endured at least nine bombings since Russia’s invasion began, continues to operate despite extensive damage to its walls and windows. NBC News reporter Jane Lytvynenko described the site as an "island of normalcy" for residents, noting that the fast-food outlet repeatedly reopens after each strike and provides a place for people to gather.
"We’re unbreakable, and the McDonald’s is unbreakable," said a longtime patron who has visited the restaurant since its opening in 1997.
The establishment’s windows have been replaced with a mix of wooden panes and bullet-proof glass, and the interior bears shrapnel marks, yet it remains a symbol of resilience for the neighborhood.
In separate news, actor Hayden Panettiere, known for roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died at age 36, according to her father. The cause of death has not been disclosed, and a publicist said an investigation is ongoing.
"She was an incredible light and a force of nature," her father said in a statement.
Both stories were reported in a morning briefing covering a range of topics from the war in Ukraine to legal developments in the United States.