Against All Odds

Our news: Wednesday, March 2, 2022, Kyiv, day seven

Thanks to your prayers and support, we were able to survive last night. This night was the most terrible and tense for all the days after the invasion of the Rashists. For the first time, I saw rockets and explosions with my own eyes and very close. Yesterday the invaders fired two powerful rockets at the TV tower. The TV tower did not fall, but repeaters and digital broadcasting equipment were destroyed. Ukrainian TV channels stopped broadcasting. However, they are still available from cable operators and on the Internet, which is not yet available. Now we are in information chaos and there is no reliable information to make the right decision. The data that comes from the warring parties is radically different and there is strict censorship.

Unfortunately, I have lost confidence in the information of the Ukrainian media. There is a rather tense situation in Kyiv now. It is very difficult for residents who have stayed to decide whether to leave. Many cannot afford it. Without any particular order, they now began to organize the removal of children and women by buses and evacuation trains. However, at the railway station the situation is like in India. Hundreds of people sit on the platform for days and days and wait for any train to the west of Ukraine. Trains are stormed and stuffed into carriages like in India.

International charity organisations also began to form organized car columns to leave Kyiv. However, they take a very long time to form, as there is no gasoline and food to provide people on the road. My friend has been waiting for more than a day for the convoy to leave. Naturally, with all this chaos, my trip with Roxy and Corrie will be quite risky. While Roxy and I are at home and we have electricity, water, gas and even the Internet. All this will not happen on the road.

I learned about the help of the army and participation in the resistance. So far, only men with combat experience are taken. Everyone else is denied and told to wait. They have no weapons and no plan of action. At the same time, men are not allowed to leave the country and even the city. They all feel guilty that they cannot help their country. I have the same thoughts. But for now I have to take care of Roxy and remotely my father, Corrie and sister. They all live separately from me and we communicate by phone.

On Roxy's condition: Yesterday was a very difficult day, but Roxy proved to be a very sweet bird. We did not go to the bomb shelter and she sat on me almost all day and night. She already understands everything. She never screamed, drank water and ate porridge straight from the spoon. When the shelling began, she clung to me and clutched my arm very tightly with her paws. I calmed her down and she was even able to fall asleep afterwards. I remember that a week ago she was very moody and had problems with screaming, throwing food away, etc. Now she is very quiet and obedient. I was pleasantly surprised when she sat on my shoulder and came up to my ear and clearly said: "Let me eat." After that I gave her porridge and her granules. She ate very calmly and carefully. At five in the morning I brought Roxy to the cage and she is sleeping there now. She is fine and I think she has already adapted to this horror. She retained her aristocratic manner. She remains a lady in any situation.

About my condition: I only managed to sleep for 3 hours yesterday (from 5 am to 8 am) as the air raid alert was only canceled at 5 am. Feeling a little better, but I think I should start taking antibiotics for pneumonia. Hope I can get them. Just sleeping and reading your kind and warm messages helps me. They give strong energy and joy. I am very grateful to all of you. I apologize for not replying to everyone right away.

What's next? Yesterday I refused any help except antibiotics. I am very grateful to everyone who offered me help, including material. However, today I begin to understand that I have enough food for another two weeks no more. Nearly every store in my area is closed. Some work several hours a day and there are huge queues. During shelling, they also close. Supply and assistance to poor people is practically non-existent. I read about this state in the Facebook group of our district. I have not seen it with my own eyes, perhaps the condition is not so terrible. While I'm sick, I won't be able to shop. Maybe next week I'll be able to leave the house. I understand that if nothing changes, then soon the products will cost more than money. I don't know which option our government will choose. Will they surrender Kyiv like Paris, without a fight, in order to save the civilian population, or will they arrange Leningrad or even Stalingrad.

I don't know if I can get ration cards, as the status of men under 60 is not defined in any way. Therefore, if you can give us a stock of products that can be stored for a long time, then I will be very grateful. I understand that we must be prepared for a long blockade. I also need a plastic carrier for Corrie to take her out in a more comfortable environment.

Once again I want to thank all my new and friends, as well as separately Nancy, for being so supportive and helping us. I will try to answer everyone. We love you all!

P.S. I apologize for the grammatical errors. From excitement and illness, I have already lost many of my abilities."