A Ukrainian schoolteacher shared his experience of the Russian invasion, detailing how it was still okay in the morning and as the day went on, things started to turn awry.
Here is his live update
I just heard the explosions, I am in Kyiv. I don’t feel scared yet but I am shaking to be fair.
7.25 am: I had my emergency bag packed, but didn’t put my photo albums there. Now I did and I feel like crap. I am crying, I am a mess I am a teacher though and we still have our lessons online, so I have to put myself together and be a teacher for kids who will come to the first class in 30 min. At least two will.
Thank you for every comment, I treat this thing as a public diary at this point because it helps me to stay focused. So it makes me feel better just to be heard.
11.45 am: so in Kyiv it’s ok right now. We have water, electricity, there are no sirens. People are evacuating, there is a lot of traffic, but it’s fine. If it interests you, I had anywhere 10-50 % of my classes present online (it’s 5th period). It’s not the case for every city though. Cities closer to the border are getting attacked. I am not the beat updater right now because I can’t watch the live news, so I am telling what I can see
1:45 pm: they broke through the border in Kyiv region
2.55 pm: no one showed up for the last class, so I can finally monitor the news
4.30 pm: so Ukraine was hit by 4 ballistic rockets around an hour ago. At this point, they say it’s from Belarusian direction. I waited to get at least some clarity, because of how many fakes there are. Governmental portals are continuously being hacked, so it takes a lot of time to confirm things. South of Ukraine is getting hit the most right now. My grandparents don’t respond and they are in the north. I think that’s the lost cellphone connection, but I am still really worried.
5.15 pm: grandparents are ok, they were in the hideout
7.20 pm: they took the Chornobyl’. If they do anything to the covering there will be no protection from radioactive waste.
9.05 pm: right now Kyiv is ok, we have a curfew. We are waiting for the rough night, Russian planes flew out in our direction. I will try to sleep a bit and I’ll update you afterward. If you can, help Ukrainians. Go to support actions for Ukraine in your cities. Check your information really carefully
9.20 pm: they are threatening one of our functioning nuclear plants… not the Chornobyl’. The one that is still working.
9.30 pm: I can’t sleep. Today there were 393 bombings and shootings. 169 are wounded, around 57 Ukrainians are dead. Rest in peace
10.30 pm: For those who want to help with money. Be careful, there are a lot of frauds.
11.55 pm: we’ll spend the night in the hideout to be safer
12.25 am: the hideout we were aiming for is closed right now, unfortunately. So we’re back home.
Netizens’ comments
- I’m Russian and I’m really sorry. Putin messed up Russia, and now he is trying to mess up Ukraine. I’m not religious, but God bless Ukrainian people and soldiers. I hope that NATO will finally help Ukraine.
- Myself (Ukrainian) and my two young sons are here in Canada, heavy hearted and feeling devastated for all of you.
Only a coward starts a war in the dark.
I cannot believe we are here at this place. Now. In 2022.
May you be kept safe. May you find courage when you need it. May we see you on the other side, dear stranger in the dark somewhere in Kyiv… Regardless of what comes.
Our thoughts are with you <3
- I’m so sorry this is happening. I have family in Ukraine. I was born in Ukraine and lived there until I was 7 years old. This is a terrible situation. I hope you are able to stay safe. I’m on the phone with my relatives now…
*expletive withheld* Putin