Russian invasion of Ukraine. Day 6 - 7. We are standing! 💪

It's a new day. We have nice fresh snow in Kyiv. I took selfie outside, and it was so nice to see a daylight and white snow 💙

• As I said, yesterday it was a very busy day. No time for fear, no time for checking news or posting news. In the night I got inside Nick's sleeping bag when he went on duty, as I was too exhausted to find a place to sleep and to unpack my sleeping pad and bag. When he returned, he took mine and lay down by me and fall asleep. I couldn't sleep, I am a light sleeper, it was aching all over, besides it was too noisy, someone was coming someone leaving, someone watching videos. But it was good to know he is by me and he is resting.
• At night there was an air raid, but I couldn't find energy to go to the shelter.
• When I opened my eyes it was 5:40. Actually, when I looked at the phone my sleepy eyes saw 6:40, and I jumped up quickly and rushed to "kitchen". Breakfast time is 7 am and I and a few more girls are responsible for it. There was no one there, so I had a coffee and finally saw my mistake. Anyway, now our guys are fed and I was send home today to return tomorrow for another 24h shift. And I am lucky, because there are few girls who are there for 4 days already. Some of them just live to far and have no transport to get home.
• The funniest thing happened yesterday. I got a call from a unknown number. I'm getting used to worried voices, or speaking fast or scared. What a great surprise was to hear an absolutely pleasant, peaceful, calm woman voice. She called to confirm my appointment with a doctor. A call from another life, to a completely different person.
• Some of you asked me about money. What I can say. The bigger problem now is lack of everything: medicine, gasoline, food, sleeping pads and bags, socks. And cigarettes! They are very hard to find and sell out quickly. Who know, maybe Nick will finally give up smoking. 😄
• My home is safe. One more family were getting out with large suitcases, they are leaving "as far as possible".
• I was so happy to have a hot shower as I had only cold water during last 24 hours, and it's winter now here, so it's really cold. The skin of my hands is like sandpaper.
• Call came in from my hometown. A nurse visited my mother and did a bandaging. She has medication. Nat is okay just worried. And finally, my daughter is interested in the history of the home country. 👍 "Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you."

• Some of you asked why Russian subversion and reconnaissance groups are dangerous and what they do. One their goal is to find out the spirit of the population and sow panic, because panic can be very dangerous. Or spread fake and divide Ukrainians from inside, and other nations. That's why we all have to be very careful, calm and check every fact and information, even if we very much want to believe it. Some pretend to be refugees, some pretend far relatives. What more. They leave backpacks with explosives in places where there are a lot of people. We all know what it's called. What else. Capturing ambulances and even a white cross vehicles, they try to get as close as possible and open fire to kill. They pretend to be volunteers who evacuate the population, and then a bus with people rides ahead of a column of Russian troops. There are a lot of such examples, they are official and documented for an international court.
• The enemy has not yet acknowledged his defeat. He just goes to "Plan B" and then has "Plan C". With our resistance, we embittered the monster, which already hated us to death. And questioned the invincibility of Russia. Now for Putin destroying us is not a willingness, but a matter of the regime's survival and, consequently, its personal survival. Enemies stop at nothing. They arrange an ecological catastrophe, destroy everything on their way. Perhaps the hardest part is yet to come or starting right now. And then, no one will be safe. World will not be safe. We are your shield today.
• Many people who do not know the real history of Ukraine (victims of Soviet propaganda, I was among them too as I grew up in USSR) said that Ukraine gained independence very easily. I often think about it these days. Let's skip and put aside that Ukraine willingly abandoned the world's third largest nuclear potential. In any case, it seems to me that now no one will say it was easily gained...

• Just now 3 bomds fail really close. I.can see it out of my window, and my hands are shaking. Cant upload photo. Hope I have internet
• Nick is alive too. Tele towers still stands.
• Television is still broadcasting in.Kyiv..We are not broken!
• You know, the sound of a flying /fallimg missile ... it sounds just like it movies. So I had a time to recall all my life ) This is for the first time. Yes, scary indeed. But while the third missile where flying I had time to fall on the floor. I knew what will happen in the next moment, and was ready to die. It sounds awful even to.me.. Don't know how I will sleep today home alone. I think it's better to spend the night in a basement.

8 am

• Night was relerively quite for Kyiv. At midnight air alarm was set off and I managed to get so sleep. Hallelujah. I need strength.
• Next alarm.notice came in the morning so I went down to basement. But I think I should go back soon to have some breakfast and drive to joing volunteers. Today is my next 24 h shift. Not sure if i have time to update but i will when i have somthing to say and get a minute. Curfew's finished.

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March 3th. 9 am

• Do you know how many hours in a week? 168. This is exactly the number of hours Ukraine has been resisting the brutal occupiers. They shoot cars with women and children, bomb our cities all over Ukraine, and we stand. Diid anyone expect this to happen and last so long? Did I ever think that 2 hours of sleep would be an inaccessible luxury? Sometimes we share with each other our memories about life before war. It seems so far in the past. But here I have my new family. They are incredible people.

• My shift isn't over. Nick is exhausted. There were three air alarms during the night. It's cold, but not so ..anxious, because when I am at home I'm listening to every sound. Hope to go home today and have a shower, and maybe some sleep.

Will update when possible.

Again, THANK YOU HIVEANS!! For staying with us and praying for us, for pressuring your government, for going to meetings, for not being afraid to spread information and tell the truth. It works and it helps RIGHT NOW.

Everything matters! You are incredible! 💖

War is very scary and cruel. We will stop it together.

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