I am still in Kyiv. After the second siren I went down into basement, because the subway is in 15 minutes walk from here. Then, my hubby and I went to check out the nearest point of local defense unit. But they are closed for visiting. We were stopped and ordered to not approach. The building is surrounded with barricades and armed soldiers.
The next unit is in 35 minutes walk, so we returned home to got a water (I was nervous and simply forgot it). And now I see in the news that the vehicles of the National Guard of Ukraine were seized by the russians. Now it is used by sabotage groups to penetrate our rear. They also are dressed in our uniform and move fast toward Kyiv center. They are close, so it's more safe to go back to basament. I hear shots and explosions, air defense is working.
Upd 9:52am.
- Three bridges near Kyiv were blown up to stop the enemy
- Russian troops seized two vehicles of the Armed Forces, but they have already been neutralized.
- Our guys show fantastic heroism!
- None of the Ukrainians welcomes the "liberators". Neither Russian-speaking nor Ukrainian-speaking, no one. Yesterday, civilians in the north of the country saw an russian tank on the outskirts of the city, which stopped at the roadside. They pulled the soldiers out of the tank and set the tank on fire. The prisoners were handed over to the police.
- The spirit of the Russian military is weak. They surrender in whole detachments, or run away, leaving the equipment. Locals (and I too) are learning to make Molotov cocktails. I never thought I would be able to do that. But I'm ready.
- The one thing I don't know is how to tell my mom and daughter, which are in 600 km from Kyiv in western Ukraine, that we are not going to stay in a shelter and do nothing and wait until someone else will fight for us. I do want to resist too, to do something, anything I can. Nat has lost her father already, and I can understand her. Says she's okay, but keeps vomiting since yesterday all the time. I wish I can hug her and calm down. None of us wish this happen. But now we have to be strong and brave.
Ukraine calls to the world: Shelter our sky - we will handle the rest!
- Good news from Konotop. Yesterday there were about 500 enemy tanks (!!!), and my husband's cousin is fighting there, he is a border guard. So they report that the city is repulsed.
UPD 12:00
- At the captured Chernobyl nuclear power plant (the same one from HBO mini series), due to damage to the ground cover, the radiation level is increased. It is difficult to control, as it is under the control of the occupiers.
- Occupiers put painted labels on our roads to mark their tracks. Ukrainians are called to erase or cover with sand or dirt or whatever.
- We went out to find some food like milk and bread and potato, but rows in supermarkets are very long, 2 hours estimates.
- Municipal transport in Kyiv works and it's free. Mobile and TV operators took off all restrictions for calls, traffic and your balance.
- Nick left to Territorial Defense Forces. Love you! Come back alive!
- The Ukrainian government is disallowing males aged 18 – 60 from exiting the country at this time.
A few words about yesterdays battle on Zmiinyi Island from press service of the Ukrainian Navy. "It is an island belonging to Ukraine located in the Black Sea, near the Danube Delta, with an important role in delimiting Ukrainian territorial waters." (wiki)
Russian troops shelled the island from the cruiser "Moscow" and the patrol ship "Vasily Bykov". A Su-24 bomber also struck the island. The aggressor used combat aircraft against border guards and UAF fighters on Zmiinyi Island, and fired from ship weapons. As a result of the shelling on Zmiiny, not a single building survived. Despite this, the Ukrainian Marines fought together with the State Border Guard. Then our soldiers were offered to surrender. Quote:
"I am a Russian warship. I offer to lay down your armour and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unjustified casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed," the enemy repeated twice. Literally the answer of Ukrainian soldiers: "Russian warship, fuck you!". All 13 of our heroes died.
Upd 15:00
- Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has published an appeal to residents:
"The city entered a phase of defense. Now in some areas of the capital shots and explosions are heard. Ukrainian military neutralizes Russian sabotage groups.
We must hold the capital that the enemy wants to bring to its knees and destroy! Everyone who can defend the city must join. And help our soldiers.
The Ukrainian army is defending Kyiv. The situation is complicated. But we believe in our Armed Forces. We support them and help in every possible way."
The Russian army bring fire to housing estates, bomb shelters, and kindergartens. There are victims, including children.
President Zelensky called on Putin to start negotiations. There is a hope, although hope for what? Is it possible to trust Putin?
I just make a coffee for myself when the siren started again. I stayed in the basement for a while. We even have a toilet there. Nick sent a message with the number of his military unit. So, he has already received a weapon. I try to stay calm, but without Nick I'm worried. Someone's little boy is crying all the time and asking where his mother is and when she will save him. I couldn't stand it and went out to breathe. Some people walk slowly, without bags. Someone is walking a dog. There is a lot of civil transport on the streets, considering the danger. Military hardware also rides, I recognized only Buk missile system. Unlike in peacetime, their number is higher and they ride very fast and noisy. But it's calming.
Every time I write here, I have the same thought: what if this is the last message in my life? I know I shouldn't say this.
Kiev TV Tower is a 10-minute walk from my house. That's why I watch the channel that is broadcast from there all the time. After 3 pm, the broadcast is sometimes interrupted, but resumed. So, they are still doing well.
The blood center in Kyiv asks volunteers NOT TO COME. The queues of people willing to donate blood are very long, in all cities, and they simply do not have pace with processing it. It's unbelievable!
Kharkiv was bombed twice today by russian BM-30 Smerch. They also aimed at other airfields across the country, even those that are in 200 km from EU border.
Upd 19:00
- Explosions in Odesa. Street lights are turned off. But they are okay.
- Our president and ministers are now in Kyiv. Unlike the liar Putin, who recorded the declaration of war two days before its publication to have a head start. He still assures that Ukrainians are happy to welcome the occupiers and calls on our soldiers to overthrow our government. Are you serious?
- Anyone who wants to evacuate from Luhansk region (east) can do so. Railways has launched free trains to Lviv (west). They pick up people also on the way. But they said it's fill for 300%.
- Our Minister of Health reports shelling of hospitals, blood centers, and peaceful villages where there are no military facilities. This is a violation of the Geneva Convention.
- They fire Hurricane missiles, which are imprecise weapon and are banned because they hit civilians. There is a danger of damaging the main gas pipeline of Ukraine.
8:40 pm
- The last message from the mayor: The situation now for Kyiv - without exaggeration - is threatening. The next night, in the morning, will be very difficult. Russian troops - close to the capital. The sabotage groups in the city are being neutralized by the military and law enforcement officers.
- The team of the TV channel, which is located in the TV tower nearby, is already broadcasting from the bomb shelter. We are preparing for an air strike. Maybe I shall go to a safer place too.
- Spent most of the night in the basement of my appartment building. There were some attacks on the city, they were stopped, thanks heaven. It's quiet now here where I am, going to take a nap, if I can. See you soon!
To be updated. I apologise for my English, it's not my mother tongue, and I am stressed. Stay tuned and thank you so much for your support and prayers 💛
P. S. This information is taken only from official sources and personal experience. Because the amount of fakes are huge and it is a part of war.
I started new post from Feb 26th. Stay tuned, @StayWithUkraine