Back in Ukraine...

I returned to Ukraine 4 days ago, after a 4 months break. I'm living in Lviv for now...back to the beginning of this journey. Bob is planning to travel here next month, depending on his health. Our last few months in Odesa, when we took aid to Kherson, and experienced missile attacks and shells, took its toll on our physical and psychological health, and relationship. Kherson is even more dangerous and I don't have the will to return, at present. Brave people continue to take aid to frontline regions and/or remain living there, enduring continued shelling that leads to deaths and injuries every day.

Two days ago (Friday morning) Russia launched a double missile attack on a residential area in Odesa, which killed 21 people and wounded at least 75. A paramedic and 2 emergency workers were killed in the second strike, after having rushed to the scene.

This attack coincided, cynically, with the start of the sham presidential election in Russia and illegal elections in the four partially occupied regions of Ukraine. There will be inevitable victory for the 'messianic mass murderer,'  (as described in a UK Observer Opinion article), Putin. 

Lviv is as beautiful as ever, especially when not raining! As before, it's a city that seems far from the war...there are still the street musicians and photographers, the fashionable people, and the busy shops, bars and restaurants.

But, behind these scenes, there are equally busy groups of volunteers - from Ukraine and various parts of the world - working together to support Ukraine's victory against this illegal, brutal invasion. 

One voluntary organisation makes camouflage netting, which I thought wasn't going to be anywhere near as easy as it looked...and it wasn't! I also found it quite physically demanding. I managed a patch of this large piece of netting in an hour or so, which was quickly and efficiently finished after me. 

Another project I'm involved with makes preserved food and drinks for soldiers, including chicken jerky (not so good for a vegetarian!)...

...also, a ginger, honey and lemon concentrate (to mix with boiling water)

...and energy bars, made from oats, peanut butter, honey and seeds, which I'm happy to both make and sample!...

I'm looking for anything else I can usefully do here, including, possibly, English teaching. And I/we will consider how best to make use of the donations that are still coming in from the Trawden community. It's very heartwarming, especially for people here, to know that Ukraine is not forgotten.

I also want to make an effort to learn Ukrainian, which I still speak very badly after living here for 16 months. Yesterday evening I attended a Ukrainian Speaking Club for foreigners - and realised just how badly!

It feels good to be back.