Terror in the night....

Last night was probably the most frightening experience of our lives. Following on from the previous night's shelling attack, here in Odesa, Russia mounted an even bigger one last night. Many missiles came down on Odesa, including the port area, thus damaging vital port infrastructure and  damaging the Black Sea grain deal even further. Many more will face potential starvation due to Putin's delusional behaviour. Putin has said that the attacks on Odesa are in retribution for the attack on the Crimean bridge. He really does throw his toys out of the pram. 

The night reverberated to the terrifying, loud explosions of the missiles near to us. This was combined with the noise of the missile defence system. Our whole apartment building appeared to shake. Think of the worst thunderclap you have ever heard, magnify it, and imagine it happening directly above your head. For an instant you are not sure that it's not your apartment block that has been hit. You are confused, disorientated.

Hate is a strong word. But I hate what Putin has unleashed. There's the physical risk, but possibly even greater is the psychological damage being done. I received a message from a young translator who we were wanting to use. She said that last night had broken her.....we hope not.

But it was bad. This is a quote from the military.....

Odesa bore the brunt of the onslaught; the attack on the city was “very powerful, truly massive”, Serhiy Bratchuk, a spokesperson for the Odesa military administration, said on his Telegram channel on Wednesday. “It was a hellish night,” he added.

We couldn't agree more.

We passed a building today which had been damaged by a missile. We saw the many shattered windows, the debris, the crater made by the missile. I have no idea how there were no casualties. But am thankful there weren't.

So, with very little sleep ourselves, we still had aid to deliver to Kherson today. Our alarm went off at 05:30. Not good!!

We got to Kherson and dropped the aid off at a community hub, where it was very quickly unloaded.

Ther was some good quality aid including electric drills and saws, food, clothes, etc. We were also able to drop a small amount of medical aid at a hospital.

But, for us  the best thing today was engaging with the children and volunteers and mothers at the UNICEF centres in Kherson. 

We played parachute, at both centres we visited which was wonderful. 

 

We were donated some books by Lviv Lion Publishing. It was lovely seeing how these youngsters, especially teenagers, enjoyed getting these books. People sometimes think books are are thing of the past....not so.

We also played hopscotch....

However, even here, at one of the centres we had to quickly scramble to safety as an air alarm went off, and you could hear the explosions. The children were visibly upset as we huddled in a corridor.

Yet, the abiding memory is of the resilience of these women and children. A lot of laughter. Yes, they are frightened but they go on. Their affection for us is lovely to sense. It's their story and we are ever so proud to be a part of it.