A woman whose image has become one of the faces of the war in Ukraine has spoken of her ordeal, saying she is “lucky to be alive”, writes Yahoonews.

The picture of teacher Olena Kurilo with her head bandaged and face covered in blood has become synonymous with the horror of the crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The 52-year-old survived a shelling by Russian forces in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, but her home was completely destroyed.

Kurilo, whose image has appeared on a number of newspaper front pages, told Sky News she was “very lucky” to have survived.

Speaking outside her destroyed home after returning from hospital, she attributed her survival to a “guardian angel”.

She told the news channel she “never thought that this would truly happen in my lifetime”.

The teacher added: “I will do everything for Ukraine, as much as I can, with as much energy as I have.

“I will always only be on my motherland’s side.”

Kurilo’s image was among dramatic images and video footage to emerge from Ukraine on the first day following Russia’s invasion.

The moment a TV reporter ran for his life as shells began falling on the area of Ukraine where he was reporting was also captured on film.

Sky News’ Alex Rossi was filming in the city of Mariupol as the crisis unfolded, talking to residents and soldiers of an area that has come under fire in recent weeks.

While recording a piece for the camera, Rossi was forced to run for cover as more shells suddenly began descending on the area.

After finding shelter, Rossi said: “It just shows how quickly things can change here.

“We were outside filming, really calm… but we’ve just had to take cover because there’s been incoming mortar fire.”