Authorities here were not ready, either - they were more intent on building new roads than financing the much-depleted arms industry. My friends in both Kyiv and Lviv, however, dismissed the idea as preposterous, saying the Russians were only interested in eastern Ukraine. Personally, I was convinced that Russia would push further into Ukraine, as Vladimir Putin had declared his intentions many years ago. The government was in disarray Ukrainians were in shock, as most of them could not believe that their neighbour would ever launch an openly declared destruction of their country and people. All this has come true, unfortunately.ĭuring the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, general chaos and panic reigned in the towns and cities and throughout the whole country.
Others, though, will run and will soon be hammering at Europe’s doors, causing a devastating humanitarian crisis in the heart of the continent.” Over six months of war have passed. 29, 2022 I wrote, “If Russia pushes further into Ukraine, there will be a bloodbath here: most Ukrainians will stand and fight. But suddenly, the air raid sirens blare across the market square, Ploshcha Rynok loudspeakers warn people to head for the nearest shelters the cafés and shops close their doors … and we are reminded that no place is safe in Ukraine. This could be Prague, Krakow, or any other European city. I look around and see a young couple holding hands and kissing, a stern middle-aged man typing frenetically on his laptop, a group of teenage girls tapping their feet to music playing into their headphones. LVIV-I’m sitting in one of my favourite cafés in a beautiful historic city, just a stone’s throw from Poland.
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