Ihor Malcevski, a 69-year-old scientist, was inside the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine when a Russian drone struck the historic building in Kyiv on Monday.
The attack resulted in one fatality and injured three others, according to local authorities. The academy, constructed in the 19th century, is located near the German embassy, the National Opera, and St. Vladimir’s Cathedral, as reported by The Guardian.
While observing from his third-floor office, Malcevski saw dense black smoke rising from the building. “My thoughts were focused on one thing: how to save myself from this situation,” he recounted in an interview with Reuters.
Despite his fear of heights, he climbed out of the window and scaled a ledge on the facade of the building to escape the smoke and flames inside.
“In the first few seconds, you don’t understand what’s happening – then your mind kicks in and starts analyzing the situation,” he added, speaking from his home outside Kyiv.
Finally, Malcevski descended using a ladder that rescuers had placed against the building.
Grandchildren Compare Him to Spider-Man After Escape
Family members rushed to the scene after Malcevski contacted them shortly after his rescue. He is married with two adult children and seven grandchildren.
His grandchildren jokingly compared him to Spider-Man after watching the escape footage on YouTube. Malcevski expressed that Ukraine should continue its fight against Russia, despite ongoing U.S.-backed efforts to revive peace negotiations.
An American official stated that Kirill Dmitriev, a representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin, engaged in “constructive” talks with U.S. counterparts on Tuesday.
Malcevski dismissed these negotiations as “a senseless exercise.”
PHOTO: Vladyslav Musiienko | Dreamstime.com
