I was looking at pictures and videos of what’s left of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel. I get chills every time I see the dead bodies that are scattered around Kyiv’s suburbs. Bucha is around 15 kilometres from where I live. The reason why we left is because of the stories of what the russians were doing to these peaceful little towns. And now I see the consequences of their actions, and I can’t help but feel my blood boil.
Last year my class went to Bucha after our graduation ceremony. Here is a photo of me and my former classmates (their faces covered) in the local municipal park from around July. I can’t imagine what’s left of it, but judging by the pictures of destroyed houses and dead bodies, probably not much.I’m so tired of this happening. I’m so fucking angry. I’m glad these monsters left Kyiv, but I still feel uneasy knowing that these monsters kept stealing from houses, raping young women and killing those who dared to stay there. And now we have to deal with the consequences of russia’s actions. I have absolutely no remorse for the russian army and those who are still stupid enough to support it. Thousands of lives have been lost. Millions of Ukrainians are traumatised for life. russia’s army can’t be forgiven nor justified. I used to believe in peace and forgiveness before this, believe it or not. Now I just want all of them dead. War criminals deserve no remorse.
Other than that, the weather here in Chernivtsi is unusually cold and stormy. I was almost ready for Spring, but it suddenly snowed today. A nice beginning to April, I suppose. I put on my beanie (picture also attached) and went outside to get my brother’s birthday gift from the post office. For now I’m trying to spend the last day before my university classes start (which I’m very anxious for). But with all the news, I’m having a hard time trying to relax.
I don’t want to say that I’m completely giving up, but I’m slowly losing hope. It’s getting hard to hold on when my country is still actively being destroyed and some people still choose to believe that russia is in the right. I probably won’t see my friends in months. Nothing will be the same anymore. russia won’t be held accountable because everyone is more bothered with the #notalrussians bullshit. And Ukrainians are constantly targeted and harassed. I just realised that there isn’t a single generation of Ukrainians for over three centuries that hasn’t suffered from oppression coming from russia. Why is everything like this? When will this end for good?
Take care,
Paul
I just feel, that we in teh west, are so helpless. i mean yeh we can give to charity but it barely touches the sides compared to what people are suffering in ukraine right now. I actually approached two guys on the bus in london today, by asking them where they are from (i kind of thought central/ eastern european) and one of the men asked me why i was asking. I sense his guards were up, but as i said to him, i was just being nosy. So i try to disarm him with a friendly smile and he tells me they're from poland. I said to him right then, something like, these days when i hear central/eastern europeans talking, i kind of feel really warm towards them. And i said that war tears people apart but at the same time people pull together. i then went on to say that it's a shame in a way that we don't have this kind of pulling togetehr outside of war. and i kind of meant that from a subjective point of view because i do feel especially warm to central/eastern europeans right now.
After all the history of revolution in Russia, it's a sad time when they don't revolt at this point.
Just thinking, god forbid we are ever part of a country that go to war on innocents, then i hope whole heartedly that we would turn against our decrepid brutal government and put the bullet in the heads of who really deserve it.
love the beanie X
I am so sorry this is happening to you, your friends and family, and all of Ukraine. It is terrifying to watch from the US and must be unimaginable to live through. Best wishes for safety to you and your lived ones.
I agree with you Paul that Russia should not be forgiven. There was always an avenue for diplomacy but Putin chose aggression. He's a war criminal and, I hope someone, someday makes him pay for the brutality.
Try to stay strong and, let's hope this ends sooner than later.
You’re so brave! Be safe!
I know it is not easy to face this situation. I can’t even imagine it. But please be strong and have faith!!! We are together you in pray !🙏🙏🙏
We are angry with you. Putin must be brought up for war crimes as do the mindless soldiers that follow him.
Stay safe my friend. I'm from the north of Ireland so I have some kind of feeling for what u are all going through.
As a certain Mr John Lydon put it "Anger is an energy", and he is right!
It is right, and completely understandable that you feel this way Paul. Love the photo in the park; stay strong and keep the faith.
Paul....easy for me to say don't give up. I've been watching the press reports from Bucha with horror. It's clear that these are acts of the Russian military and they can never be forgotten. I can't speak for the whole world but I can't see this going unpunished.
It’s scary for us to watch from another country so heaven knows how you cope under these horrific circumstances. I wish I had a magic wand. 😔😔
Your anger is understandable It must be such a rollercoaster of emotions.
We continue to walk alongside you today and always.
On a lighter note I love your beanie hat.
Horrific times. Stay strong, even in these darkest of days.
It must be so hard looking back at pictures of you and your friends and not knowing when you will next see them. It's horrible what you and the rest of the Ukraine are having to go through. Great beanie hat!