[POV] War in Ukraine

[icopress]

[...] They recently made law whch let them to send people who are against Russian government for 15 years jail. Russian repression machine is turning country into North Korea.

This is one of the reasons why not a single Russian-speaking Ukrainian presents his region as part of Russia.

We Ukrainians cannot stand weakly characteristic people, and it makes no sense for us to condone the seizure of our lands, since we all value freedom very much. Honestly, I also don’t quite understand why Apple and Google have not yet intervened, since it is precisely the shutdown of the appstore and the play market and all related services that would entail the most acute protests in Russia.

My wife is just smart ^{[Continuing to cook food for the guys at the nearest checkpoint]}

p.s. To be honest, she is not my wife yet, but just a partner, but I think I will fix this when everything is over.

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[Betwrong]

I think and speak Russian, but that doesn't stop me from feeling like a Ukrainian.~

Same here, brother. I live in Kyiv, and speak and think in Russian, and I've never had any problems with that. Even on Euromaidan no one ever asked me why I speak Russian.

Putin and his propaganda are lying to their people.

Have no more time to write rn.

For those who are interested, watch this Yuval Noah Harari video

https://youtu.be/yQqthbvYE8M

He explains it all really well.

[tvbcof]

I think and speak Russian, but that doesn't stop me from feeling like a Ukrainian.~

Same here, brother. I live in Kyiv, and speak and think in Russian, and I've never had any problems with that.

Just FWIW, I can confirm from personal contacts that a Ukrainian (born) being 'Russian speaking' does not make a (high functioning) Ukrainian be particularly fond of Russia, and certainly not fond of the Soviet Union in which they grew up and were educated.  I myself am guilty of using 'Russian speaking' as short-hand for Unkrainians who might have some affinity for Russia, but it is too simplistic.

Even on Euromaidan no one ever asked me why I speak Russian.

Putin and his propaganda are lying to their people.

Have no more time to write rn.

For those who are interested, watch this Yuval Noah Harari video

https://youtu.be/yQqthbvYE8M

He explains it all really well.

The vid (which I skimmed due to lack of content) confirms to me that Harari is basically A) a pseudo-intelectual celebrity-academic who is focuses what intellectual ability he has on saying what wealthy elite and their globalist useful idiots want to hear since it is a good way to make money and get free plane tickets (e.g., an evolution of the Jarred Diamond grift), or B) reasonably bright and informed, but a flat out propagandist playing to his globalist useful idiot base with nary a shred of intellectual honesty in his content.

[icopress]

Aside from the warning sounds of a missile strike, the day was great as we managed to do some shopping at the wholesale food depot (the only disappointing thing is that the prices at the wholesale depot are the same as they were in grocery stores before the war). I ask what the problem is, and the manager refers to the fact that suppliers are raising prices (I'm not sure if this is true). Also, for the last couple of days, my civilian wife has been sitting at home, as she and her friends cook for the military in turn. Btw, I was also intrigued by the news that Washington will allocate $ 50 billion to Ukraine and I am shocked (if this is true). Since this is a quarter of the annual budget of Ukraine.

• https://imgur.com/8mUMEjO
• https://imgur.com/LhRiWc6

In addition, my sister and her child successfully reached Poland, many thanks to the volunteers who met her in Lviv, provided her with an overnight stay and escorted her to the border, at the moment there are almost no queues at the border crossing points, so everything went very quickly.

p.s. A bill has also come into force according to which I and any civilian have the right to use my personal weapons against Russian troops, so now I will probably look for a way to acquire some kind of sniper weapon.

[coolcoinz]

Good luck to you and your family. Keep telling us how the days go by!
Great idea with food, keep resisting, they won't break you. Share photos of the gun if you obtain it, although I hope you won't have to use it.
Still, get it and teach your wife how to use it, you'll both feel better knowing that you have the means to repel looters and rapists.

This made me laugh today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxNu0UlasjI

Stay safe!

[icopress]

The current situation in the Nikolaev region leaves much to be desired ... since the Russians, under the cover of chaotic artillery attacks on the regional center, are moving their troops in a northeast direction. Does anyone else really believe that the MLRS "Grad" can hit the city's military facilities in the evening?

• https://imgur.com/GfM7M5X (these shots are only a few hours old / I didn't take the photo)

If it were not for the evening, the day would have been tolerable, since for almost the whole day I did not hear any signaling sounds and was in a good mood doing important things, and my wife cooked food again, (I think I'll have to devote a couple of days to family and work, so I'll see you in the middle of the week).

By the way... from VERY good news.

• I found about 10 tons of free potatoes 400 kilometers from me.
• I found in the neighboring region baby food, diapers, etc. at prices much lower than wholesale prices.

But the catch is that in my tiny car I will not take either one or the other, so on top of everything else on the weekend I will also look for drivers with my trucks!

Good luck to everyone and a peaceful sky above your head.

[Ultegra134]

The current situation in the Nikolaev region leaves much to be desired ... since the Russians, under the cover of chaotic artillery attacks on the regional center, are moving their troops in a northeast direction. Does anyone else really believe that the MLRS "Grad" can hit the city's military facilities in the evening?

• https://imgur.com/GfM7M5X (these shots are only a few hours old / I didn't take the photo)

If it were not for the evening, the day would have been tolerable, since for almost the whole day I did not hear any signaling sounds and was in a good mood doing important things, and my wife cooked food again, (I think I'll have to devote a couple of days to family and work, so I'll see you in the middle of the week).

By the way... from VERY good news.

• I found about 10 tons of free potatoes 400 kilometers from me.
• I found in the neighboring region baby food, diapers, etc. at prices much lower than wholesale prices.

But the catch is that in my tiny car I will not take either one or the other, so on top of everything else on the weekend I will also look for drivers with my trucks!

Good luck to everyone and a peaceful sky above your head.

I honestly hope for the best, it's been 16 days or more since the start of the invasion, if I'm not mistaken. It's depressing to live in such conditions and from the bottom of my heart, I wish you good luck, it seems like there's a long road ahead.

However, I've been reading that Putin has opened negotiations again, "offering", more like demanding Ukraine to meet his demands, or he'll fiercely attack Kyiv and Ukraine in general.

[n0nce]

But despite the complexity of the situation, I am quite optimistic, and I'll explain why:

• Over the past 8 years, the Ukrainian army has felt real support from the state and the world community. The Ukrainian army is very motivated, since we are on our own land, + the salaries of military personnel have been raised four times. As a result, in just 4 days, on a voluntary basis, 100k people with real combat experience were at the disposal of the general headquarters, (there are currently about 400k reservists in ukraine with combat experience).
• We have problems with aviation and navy, but this is compensated by the fact that our ground forces are the equivalent of Russian ground forces (let's be objective, Putin cannot afford to expose his eastern flanks, on the border with China).
• 15 million people are engaged in logistics support for military personnel, this is probably the main reason why Russia never managed to capture almost a single major regional center. I think such cohesion is also connected with the fact that for the first time in the history of Ukraine we have a president who, even before the war, was able to unite both the Ukrainian-speaking population and the Russian-speaking people, (previously, the president has always been a person representing only one of the ethnic groups).

Thanks a lot for your first-person insights into this war, icopress! I am fascinated by the Ukrainian population's combined effort to effectively fend off such a supposed 'world power' as Russia, huge respect.
I am wondering: did you guys always have this conviction that your neighbour's army wasn't as strong as has so far always been asserted or did this awareness arise during the first days of the war? To me it always appeared that Russia had a comparable military as the United States; a huge superpower that a single smaller country couldn't compete with. While now it doesn't seem like that at all (not meaning to downplay your great achievements in the war!).

[coolcoinz]

and my wife cooked food again,

Mmmm I love pierogi.

By the way... from VERY good news.

I also have good news:
I've read some transcripts of communication between Russian troops and their command and it looks as bad as it could be. They're starting to joke about shooting their commanders, ask what to do because they lost almost all tanks in the company, and asking what letter to sign to be moved back home. You guys are wining, Russians came in hungry with expired rations, so make sure they don't leave with empty stomachs. Those idiots apparently had a new communication system but it required functioning cellular towers, but they destroyed too many of them and can't use it. Now they have to use old systems that Ukrainians can tap into.

But the catch is that in my tiny car I will not take either one or the other

At least you have a not so tiny speaker in the back
You can drive around blasting "bayraktar song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk3IbKsNVpw

[suchmoon]

You can drive around blasting "bayraktar song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk3IbKsNVpw

This could annoy the orcs too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqVCQEthhOU

[n0nce]

You can drive around blasting "bayraktar song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk3IbKsNVpw

This could annoy the orcs too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqVCQEthhOU

That's so fitting (compared to other recent uses of the song like disco versions and similar), since it was used in anti-fascist resistance in Italy!

I also found this one the other day about the Javelin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LlJOZPkK94

Whatever helps keep the mood up, I guess.

[icopress]

Please do not be offended if I did not thank someone in a personal, I really appreciate all those who put an emotional message into the assistance provided, the help that I was able to convert into food, gasoline and other necessary things. Thank you very much.

• I found about 10 tons of free potatoes 400 kilometers from me.

To be honest, I did nothing today and got busy with my forum questions, but yesterday and the day before yesterday I closed two important points at once. Btw, nothing has happened with free potatoes yet, since there is nowhere to put it yet, since the place where food for checkpoints is prepared is now overflowing with food (which is good news). I am only a pawn, but as far as I understand, without exception, all the surplus will go to those nearest villages in which there is a shortage of food (this is what people brought in one day).

Now, getting back to the point, I want to say that I have never bought so many cigarettes before 
But, I understand that smoking is harmful, but I try to buy what I need and not what I want, (more precisely what they ask to buy).

• I found in the neighboring region baby food, diapers, etc. at prices much lower than wholesale prices.

With this point, everything is not so simple ... everything seems to be fine, since I managed to take care of those who needed it to some extent, but at the same time I feel like a nonentity ... because the photos taken only aggravate the already deplorable situation, emphasizing the misfortune of these people. As if with every request for a photo, I remind them of how unhappy they and their children are (with the fact that they are all in acceptable safety). I don't want to experience this feeling again. Therefore, this is the last time I ask people to take pictures (nevertheless, there are about 40 photos here).

• https://imgur.com/a/XEyRg6E
• https://imgur.com/a/tAi5Vft
• https://imgur.com/a/u7Cc0DU

Peaceful skies overhead to all ... btw, our army near Nikolaev threw the Russian troops back 15 miles. 

[tvbcof]

...
Now, getting back to the point, I want to say that I have never bought so many cigarettes before 
But, I understand that smoking is harmful, but I try to buy what I need and not what I want, (more precisely what they ask to buy).


...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6q_2zZXHMg

[icopress]

Hello everyone, there is good news and not so good.  

Firstly, the grouping of our Nikolaev region threw the enemy back almost 80 kilometers, and those Russian military formations that practically propped up my city were completely destroyed. Starting Monday, the wife will have to look for a new volunteer job, as the checkpoint for which she has been cooking food for the past three weeks will be disbanded and forces will be transferred to where they are needed. On the map, you can clearly see how far the enemy was thrown back from my current geolocation.



Bad news is that one of the stationary military bases of my region was destroyed. Unfortunately, more than 40 servicemen were killed because of the rocket, and about 80 were injured - military personnel who were in reserve.



Some photos of my wife made by my wife .... I am very proud of it ^{[although we are not officially married, but we are both with the wedding rings]}.



Btw, if someone can send or deliver personally three Bulletproofs vest to the border to Ukraine, I would be very grateful. I or my relatives are ready to come to the border. The problem is that I recently tried to order them on the Internet for Father and Uncle but my two attempts were not crowned with success (I lost $ 30 prepayment). I wish you all a peaceful sky above your head.

[derBowler]

Hy @icopress,

very very good Job, thanks for your commitment.

Take care and stay healthy.

[icopress]

Bump / Hello everyone 

• Started working with a local volunteer who is closely associated with a pharmacy ready to provide the necessary medicines to those who are in dire need of them and who cannot afford to buy them. We also created and distributed a Google form.
  
  
• I found a used freezer that is needed to cool the donated blood, I will pick up 2 or 3 more freezers on the weekend. I got these freezer for temporary use, after which I will need to return them to local entrepreneurs.
  
  
• The wife started working, but in her spare time she still cooks food with other women, with the only difference that the school where the kitchen is located also serves as a reception room for temporarily displaced people. The school serves as an overnight stay for such people until they find housing or move. In addition to buying food for cooking, we men, in turn, brought to this school a sufficient number of donated mattresses and blankets.
  
  
• Btw, this post is no longer relevant, since I have already found bulletproof vests for my relatives.
  
  
• A week or so ago, I again did the delivery of baby food and diapers, as I did last time.
  
  
• Among other things, we collect glass jars so that women can preserve pork. I have no experience in butchering a pork carcass, but I can boast and say that I personally butchered about 150 kg carcass.
  
  
• Among the immediate plans is to go to another region for a wholesale food depot. Plans to buy construction timber to renovate several destroyed premises. I'm also looking for leather to make gloves, but these are all things I'll be doing at the end of the week as I plan to spend time with family and work.
  
  
• If anyone is interested, this is the everyday life of Ukrainians reflected in photographs, (little known telegram channel).

In addition, since international delivery to my address is currently unlikely, I am ready to donate my collectible items that are in stock with some of the regulars of the forum. If someone is interested in collectibles, write to me who wants to get them for free, (the shipping cost is also already covered).

[paxmao]

...

• Among other things, we collect glass jars so that women can preserve pork. I have no experience in butchering a pork carcass, but I can boast and say that I personally butchered about 150 kg carcass.
  
  ...
  

Good practice, unfortunately it seems that it will take a lot of butchering invaders before the Tzar starts thinking that invading a peaceful neighbour was not a good idea after all.

[/li]
[li]If anyone is interested, this is the everyday life of Ukrainians reflected in photographs, (little known telegram channel).[/li]
[/list]

Thanks, of course we are interested. I really hope you can keep up the work, it seems that it will get a bit worse before it can get better. All our support with you and soon a more practical delivery of aid and fighting means.

[icopress]

Over the past week, the situation in the Mykolaiv region has not changed significantly, but about 20 small villages are still occupied. In addition, all last week I went to bed to the sound of sirens, and Nikolaev himself continues to be subjected to rocket attacks (as a result of night attacks, one person died, two were wounded). But probably the main news of this week is the destruction of the Russian missile cruiser Moscow, which, ironically, was built in Mykolaiv.

Started working with a local volunteer who is closely associated with a pharmacy ready to provide the necessary medicines to those who are in dire need of them and who cannot afford to buy them. We also created and distributed a Google form.

I took the first batch of medicines from a partner pharmacy, and also, thanks to the Google form, received several more boxes of medicines as a gift.

I found a used freezer that is needed to cool the donated blood, I will pick up 2 or 3 more freezers on the weekend. I got these freezer for temporary use, after which I will need to return them to local entrepreneurs.

This question is now also closed!

The wife started working, but in her spare time she still cooks food with other women, with the only difference [...] Among other things, we collect glass jars so that women can preserve pork. I have no experience in butchering a pork carcass, but I can boast and say that I personally butchered about 150 kg carcass.

Again, women canned meat, but this time chicken! They also prepared many other goodies!

Among the immediate plans is [...]

I was tired this week so I didn't even have the desire to post anything on the forum, but still I solved the problem with the requested essentials (socks, underwear, t-shirts, chargers, flashlights). They also loaded the trailer with construction timber, which turned out to be much more than I expected (now I'm waiting for the tractor). I also bought some spare parts, a chainsaw and several electric generators. Also delivered cereals, sweets, spices, flour, salt and vegetables for cooking and lots of tomatoes ($1 per kilogram, a price that broke the entire vegetable sector ... LOL). There are 15 or 20 photos here!!!

In addition, since international delivery to my address is currently unlikely, I am ready to donate my collectible items that are in stock with some of the regulars of the forum. If someone is interested in collectibles, write to me who wants to get them for free, (the shipping cost is also already covered).

The offer is still valid!

All the peaceful sky above your head!

[icopress]

Some photos from Easter.

On this holiday, we also did not forget about our military and ordinary old people who were very happy with sweet surprises.

I apologize for the quality of the pictures, but I had to compress them to get a table.

In fact, May flew by very quickly, for the most part I returned to my regular work (the part-time work on the forum also turned out to be quite significant, which actually does not take much time, but gives a tangible increase in income), and volunteering was done only on Saturdays.

A week or so ago, I again did the delivery of baby food and diapers, as I did last time.

Done with baby food, this is the last batch received, and to be honest, individual delivery is not an easy task.

• https://imgur.com/a/DJCdPke

The wife started working, but in her spare time she still cooks food with other women [...]

Continuation, but on a slightly different scale ^{[True, due to the insufficient amount of glass containers, I had to improvise]}.

Periodically, people bring things and furniture for migrants and food (including home preservation).

In addition to the main grocery purchases, we bought materials for the girls who agreed to sew.
I think it will be fun, at least this is one of the areas in which I do not understand anything at all.

Btw, when I took away the boxes with fabric materials, I managed to try on a sniper camouflage suit.

I didn't buy it because it's not necessary, but now I know what it's like to be invisible.

Here are photos in good quality, besides, feel free to PM me, as I actually already have a ton of photos!

[icopress]

As for the immediate hostilities, the situation for the last month has not changed much (speaking of the southern front) ... now it is simply a frozen conflict. Although the situation on the line of contact has been slowly changing over the past few days (due to the counter-offensive actions of our troops), the fighting continues. With a black dotted line, I tried to show where the counteroffensive is taking place at the moment.

One way or another, there is some disturbing feeling in my soul, accompanied by pain in the lower back (although I am healthy).