Nataliya Gumenyuk
@ngumenyuk
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Journalist specialized in conflict reporting, human rights. Co-founder Public Interest Journalism Lab @PIJLab, The Reckoning Project
Ukraine
Joined May 2010
This article is based on a few dozen testimonies of UA local authorities,volunteers, teachers persecuted under the Russian occupation. With @anneapplebaum and @TRPUkraine team, we explained not just why Ukrainians fight, but why the occupation can't last
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The head of Motyzhyn Olga Suhenko, her husband,son were tortured,killed by Russians.The family was delivering bread,medicine,evacuated their people.300 ppl walked after the coffins:”They could leave,they stayed to help us.They were killed for us”.Literally—died for their village
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Ladies greet 🇺🇦 soldiers in liberated Balakliya after 6 months of 🇷🇺 occupation. “Boys, we have some pancakes left, would you like?” “A bit later, please, better still hide, shelling is still possible”. I can watch endlessly
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The best of us dies. Famous 🇺🇦activist Roman Ratushnyy was killed in the Izium battle. Roma was THAT 17 year old student beaten in the Maidan, which led to the Revolution of Dignity. He saved his neighbourhood park in Kyiv from real estate builders. It should not be his memorial
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Southern town of Kherson now. The fact the Russian troops are in the town doesn’t mean the city is occupied.
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Our beautiful Kyiv comes back to live. Subway is to run, restaurants to open, least important check-points are removed to make traffic easier. Mayors asks ppl not to come at least for a week, but they return. Border police confirms more ppl come back then leave Ukraine now
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A professor from Uzhgorod university gives an online lecture to his students having a moment
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In a moment of crisis Ukraine turns to be an incredibly functioning & effective state.Volodya&Igor job is to restore internet connection in the most destroyed street of Bucha - their “office”.They’re so determined,that even don’t mention there’s something unusual in what they do
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I unfolded this camp-cot to sleep in the corridor due to air raids threat. My father,military doctor,brought it from his peacekeeping missions to foreign wars.I’m relieved he,who served in the Soviet army and in Russia since he was 18,passed away, and doesn’t know why I need it
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I’m tired,so easily triggered,but I ‘m getting annoyed by articles on why Ukraine isn’t yet defeated. For us it’s simple: Ukraine is a functioning democracy with active pluralistic society. This is our strength.The world didn’t experience total wars against democracies to compare.
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My best friends house near Kyiv was robbed by the Russian soldiers as every single house in their village. Apart from stealing PlayStation, creating a mess searching for money,they destroyed Hanna Arendt’s “The Banality of Evil”. They might not know what’s the book is about.
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Zelensky in Russian addressed Russian soldiers 1) promised to follow all rules regarding POW 2) not to reveal whether a person surrendered or was captured 3) not to give back a prisoner if he doesn’t want return to Russia.
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I have seen thousands of photos, this by .AP Photo/Andrii Marienko from Kharkiv is in particular strong. The father of 13 years old killed by the Russian airstrike today was praying for two hours, the policewomen all this time stayed with him holding the hand or supporting
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The closest friend in Kharkiv tells of deliberate attacks on civilians, like in lines to the shop, dozens killed. Down town destroyed.The scale is such that emergency can’t handle. Kharkiv has no strong air defence system. Closing the sky is critical for saving civilians lives.
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Phenomenal.🇺🇦 soldiers tear down “With Russia for a long time” billboard in liberated Balakliya, and unexpectedly find under it Taras Shevchenko iconic poem “Battle on – and win your battle! God Himself will aid you; At your side fight truth and glory, Right and holy freedom”
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In Kyiv territorial defense just caught Russians with the guns who were hiding in a basement. It works. So many people I know, incredible amount of artists, writers, famous singers joined territorial defence.
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There is something meditating in the way those ladies clean debris in front of the university just one hour after the shelling this morning in Mykolaiv
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The governor of Luhansk region Sergii Gaidai is a tough crisis manager, ex-businessman. Busy & confident. When I asked how he feels about his native Severodonetsk he cried. He can’t comprehend why Russia destroys schools, parks, the swimming pool his mother taught swimming. (RU)
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Today RU animation company SoyuzMultfilm blocked 1973 Soviet cartoon where pioneers undergo underwater trip and find a sunken warship with letter Z. “It’s clear, this is a fascist destroyer. I read about it,”- a kid say. After “Moscow” cruiser it’s hard to invent such an irony
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Talked to the people dealing with #Mariupol.Energy facilities, emergency services,pipelines, firefighters brigades,rescue teams were targeted the first.The RU tactics is to keep ~300000 as hostages of atrocity,pressure the UA govt to surrender.The hostage-taking of inhuman scale.
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I remember some people were surprised @ZelenskyyUa is in Bucha, then in Kharkiv, then in Odesa. But a week ago I wouldn’t ever imagine Ukrainian president would be personally in Izyum. It tells a lot about how strong is Ukraine’s control over the liberated areas.
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We need a bit of humor as it helps to pursue. "Russian warship, go f**k yourself,"- a quote from the 13 border guards in Serpent Islands now on of the road from Boryspil to Kyiv to 'welcome' unwelcomed foreigners
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Billboards all around Kyiv: “Russian soldier, stop! How can you look into your kids eyes? Remain human”, “Do not kill your soul for Putin’s oligarchs. Leave without blood on your hands”, and the UA MOD’s call to receive 5 mln rubles in case they lay down arms
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🇺🇦 LGBTQ ppl in the army call for legalizing partnership for a reason: they want their beloved bury them. It won’t take fast, I write it mainly to tell that we have lost many in LGBT community, they’re killed by 🇷🇺 on the battlefield fighting for others to live in a free country
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I find it smart. There is no way not to celebrate the Independence Day. But being on the central street of Kyiv could be dangerous at that day, and 🇺🇦military should be on the frontline. So the parade of the destroyed 🇷🇺 military equipment looks like a perfect way to mark the day
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137 Ukrainian soldiers died today in order not to let Ukraine be conquered. And 20hour long battle against a mighty state showed they succeded. 316 wounded. – Zelensky said. 57 civilians were killed by Russia, 169 were wounded according to Health Ministry.
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A new Ukrainian meme. If the shelf in Borodyanka is holding up, every Ukrainian should be able. (Picture by Oleksandr Grekhov).
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Energodar, a town near Zaporizhzhia. The local population is protecting Nuclear Power Plant from the Russian troops. I'd like to give a credit to the mayors across Ukraine who're with their people, that's the reason why the people are with them @RebHarms
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Ukraine's National Operetta Theater wrote today that their ballet dancer Vadym Khlupyaanets died in the battle near Bakmut. We salute artists when they join the army, and write about them. The cruel reality of the war has its tall on them as well. Thank you for the service, Vadym
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Scattered street fights took place in Kyiv at night, there was RU attempt to attack military unit. The city, the airports are under full govt control. There weren’t severe air strikes, power plant wasn’t damaged (was reported earlier). It’s advised to stay at home.
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Belarus troops have crossed the Ukrainian border in Chernihiv region. Confirmed by local journos and UA military. Should be more pressure on Lukashenko. 2 states, 2 dictators, who for years spent citizens money on their armies, wage fulls scale war against democratic Ukraine.
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Talking to family after family from Mariupol here in Zaporizzhya my fear is that these stories of shelling,basements,death,burying people on the street are so massive and similar,that people won’t be ready to listen to them thinking “I already know it”.No,every tragedy is unique
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Not one of the best, but the best of us all here. Killed in Kramatorks by a Russian missile. A day before she told me how hard it was for her to leave Ukraine for a fellowship in a month, but she finally has to devote the time to family. Can't be worse .
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Wish us all clear sky over our beloved Kyiv. View from my balcony now.
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This thread - cellphone footage from Kherson and villages around, icl. Mykolaiv region on how people celebrate the liberation. How could anybody dare to abandon these people? #Kherson 1/14
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Ukrainian soldier (@shuravi96 in TikTok) from the most dangerous frontline town Bakhmut. Text: “Look, I didn’t graduate from a music school in vain”.
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Kharkiv down town. We walked here a month ago. The strongest and the only emotion we have now with my Kharkiv friends: WE WILL REBUILD! It will be even better. While we will be even stronger.
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We were told about executions and what’s happening in Bucha still in early March from people escaping. We hoped they exaggerated. But we can’t say we didn’t know. My reporting from Bucha, Motyzhyn and Kyiv area
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Sailors,engineers,foreign affairs students,driving instructors, IT-specialists - the list of those coming to a privat shooting range in Odesa to learn how to deal with arms when they need to defend their land.The lesson starts with the anthem. Like in a church many take hats off
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While Kyiv prepares for another night, the drones over Dnipro river make the signs for the Russian troops “Russian war ship? Go f*ck yourself”.
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Check the bio. Current Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov is one of the best and first privat lawyers in the country. In 2000s his firm was named the best law firm in Russia and the CIS by a British financial magazine. He could be elsewhere. Today in Kyiv at MOD HQ
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A Russian independent journalist called me for a quote after Russia launched airstrikes all over Ukraine. She started begging for forgiveness for what her country is doing and may do to mine. We talked, and cried. My articles on how it started @guardian.
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6/14 Kherson square again, the National anthem and the word “Ukraine” on the cinema
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The most important article I wrote recently. 4 months of visiting every region, talking to hundreds, I testify that democracy, freedom, right to choose are the key values of the Ukrainian people on every level. That's why Ukraine is attacked @TheAtlantic .
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The Russians didn’t really understand where they turned to be. Huliaipole - is the birthplace of Ukrainian anarchism, of Nestor Makhno and infamous century ago self-governed villages. Those ppl are tough, and it all feels incredibly ironic.
#Ukraine: The Ukrainian Territorial Defense fighters captured a Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carrier in Huliaipole, #Zaporizhzhia Oblast. As expected, the APC was recovered with a tractor.
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One of the best Ukrainians pilots died during his 100th combat flight. The military successes have their tragic toll. Last year Anton Lystopad headed the aircrafts at the Independence Parade. He received numerous awards, the last one 3 days ago.
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I took an uber in Kyiv(it’s back), rushing to the train station.The driver didn’t know the bridges are closed.A week ago he escaped Mariupol,sent family to Poland,started to work right away using same car.His friends survived,yet many missing.The tragedy is too close and ongoing.
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In Severodonetsk after every explosion 4-years old Lilia rushes to hide behind the door. Knowing me for 3min she drags me yelling:”Natasha, come with me,hide”.Read this report on impact of first month of the war on the children made by trusted colleagues
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Northern Kharkiv. The shelling is coming from the Russian border, but also Russian positions nearby. Non stop fir 18 days. Some people are still live there
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The whole New Year night till morning 🇷🇺 was attacking 🇺🇦 with Iranian drones.Out of 45 32 sent to Kyiv.All were shot down by the Ukrainian air defense. This attack on such a night has no military sense, just terrorizing people celebrating despite hardships. It’s like pure evil.
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The war crimes are not like natural disasters, they can be prevented. Our concern - the West looks at Russia as the irreversible force which it isn’t: people throw bombs on Mariupol. Grief is important, but we need actions. My Op-Ed for @washingtonpost
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Legend of Kyiv queer scene, an artist, a musican, a stylist, and amazing human Artur Snitkus died, fighting in the Donbas defending Ukraine. He was always shining, radiant. He died so we live. RIP. Thank you for the service
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Important! We do not know where exactly @Hromadske journalist is now. Allegedly near Berdyansk. But at this moment it’s critical that she is in the spotlight and before we understand what had happened there is some attention.
Our journalist Victoria Roshchyna is held captive by the Russian occupiers. She was reporting from hotspots in Eastern and Southern Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war. On March 12, we couldn't contact Victoria 1/3
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A town of Okhtyrka near Sumy blocked the gateway to Poltava and pays high prices. It’s bombed, the railway station, electricity plant, city council are destroyed. On my photos the mayor stands on the crater of the bomb. There are 8 of them at least. Many, many people died
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Ultra cool Yourz Space Bistro in Odessa prepares at least 600 lunches for the Ukrainian army in Odessa. Vileness - that’s how the owner Olexandr Yourz describes the Russian war against his country and his city. Soon in @rollingstone
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Ukraine’s first president Leonid Kravchuk died after long illness. He was 88. We, in Ukraine, have our ups and downs with our presidents,yet in the end there a lot of credits to give. This photo I made in April 2019 when Kravchuk endorsed Zelensky after the 1st round of elections
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If you want some optimism from me. In Odesa Putin has already lost. He wanted destroy Ukrainian Odesa, but it has never been so united and so Ukrainian. From poets to developers, chefs to sailors,and museum workers. Jews, Greeks, Ukrainians. @RollingStone
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I live in not the nicest area of Kyiv, I like my town, but I am not sentimental to miss it. Now I don’t remember being so happy to be back home
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There are still sirens, but less.There is a feeling of victory in the battle for Kyiv with Bucha, Irpin, other town paying the price for Kyiv.What’s important:1) it’s clear it happened not because of any pressure to Russia, but UA military.This could be the case for other towns.
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Another journalist was killed in Ukraine. Pasha Lee died during the shelling in Irpin near Kyiv where he lived. TV channel DOM. Besides 8 civilians died during the evacuation from Irpin, as there was no real green corridor
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I don’t like blaming other media, but when I see UA civilians in South&East stopping Russian troops, I remember how often since 2000s I explained the Western media “language doesn’t matter here,we’re bilingual”. The binary “RU vs UA speakers” was still in most articles till now.
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Kyiv is under full control of the Ukrainian forces, curfew is lifted till late evening. Still transportation is limited.
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Zelensky press conference takes place in the subway station. The reality becomes even more surreal, yet it also shows - everything is possible if you want. There is no any reason not to held a president press conference because of the war.
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Zelensky in Russian speaking to the Russian mothers about the end of Russian humanity after Bucha.Foreigners might ask why he does so?Ukrainians knew Russia well,the neighbor.We understood the threat,but it’s inconceivable to accept what modern Russia and its society turned into
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New airstrike on Kyiv, a residential building caught on fire. 100 were evacuated who live there. Ukrainian air defense managed to destroy a Russian aircraft. Sirens in Lviv. Attack on the airport of Rivne. Pentagon says of 160 rockets launched by Russia against Ukraine tonight.
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The weird part of it that the pioneers in the cartoon use “Neptun submarine. Allegedly, the Moscow cruiser was destroyed by the Neptun rockets.
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My debut for @nytimes “As a frontline reporter, I’m used to seeing tragedy, pain, sorrow in people’s eyes, now I observe pure happiness. The world now has a vision of Ukrainian victory. Compassion is good motivator, but trust & belief are better ones
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The warship Moscow was the one which was told to fuck off by the UA boderguards at Zmiinyy island.Ironically it sank yesterday,when the Ukrainian Post issued this stamp. They line of ppl to buy it was like a sociological survey: from elderly to youngster,pensioners,professionals
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I spent last days with a group of 🇺🇦 journos:one–abducted,tortured in Kakhovka;another escaped Kherson threatened;lived under shelling in Severodonetsk;flats of 2 ‘re bombed in Chernihiv&Kharkiv. Today there’re funeral of another in Kyiv.Solidarity matters.Thanks @PulitzerPrizes.
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This is one of my favourite dispatches for @RollingStone from this war. About the Jewish community in Dnipro fighting back against Putin and his lies. Amazing city, Rabbis, military, scientists, historians, Holocaust survivals, including from Mariupol.
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“Yesterday we were still baking pies for our defenders, but because of the kid I need to move from Kyiv”, this lady says. “But I believe everything will be Ok. Everything will be Ukraine.” The daughters turns and adds “Everything will be Ukraine”.
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For 2,5 months residents of the Northern Kharkiv lived in the subway. The mayor urges them to leave the stations, so the metro will resume its work.Many are still afraid to leave hearing explosions outside the city. What’s remarkable - every corner is decorated with fresh flowers
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Another day, another morning. Kyiv is under Ukraine’s control. We expected Russian paratroopers to try to overtake one of the airports. It didn’t happen. Morning feels better. There were skirmishes at night. Curfew will last till tomorrow at least.
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The shopping mall Retroville in the Kyiv residential area was destroyed by the Russian airstrike tonight. 4 ppl died, the mayor says.That’s how it looked 2 months ago.The rest of Kyiv where millions live now is largely beautiful and ok,but you never know where the rockets target
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3) We know Russian troops are moved the Donbas,the battles there might be colossal. It’s tragic,painful but imminent. The West may partially admit: in Kyiv Ukraine has already won.We’re cautions. But demining,rebuilding,treatment in hospitals,investigations - are a new stage.
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My @RollingStone dispatch from Kharkiv –wounded, but strong. What's the most striking for me is how in today's Ukraine ordinary people like young guys from the suburbian areas bear huge responsibilities and make decisions that will mean life or death
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53 UA POW,evacuated from Azov Steel were killed by RU airstrike in famous Olenivka prison in occupied Donbas -UA intelligence says.Earlier GUR warned—RU collects HIMARS’ shells to blame Ukraine, that’s how they act now. Illogical. Why to target? UA knew our POW are in Olenivka.
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Our dear and beloved colleague journalist Victoria Roshchyna died in the Russian imprisonment where she was kept since 2023. We worked for many years at @HromadskeUA Vika was the bravest, the most determined. She risked to tell the truth about occupation
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These black outs move Kyiv residents from sympathy & friendship we feel to our city, to pure love and admiration. So strong, that you feel touched, emotional and even dizzy while looking into dark and rarely bright windows; and thinking about the residents inside
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2) Most of the Ukrainians do not search asylum elsewhere. Refugee programs are important for the most vulnerable, people like from Mariupol who have no place to come back, but defense and help with defense on the ground is the most important.
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Leonid, 72, a retired miller from Kharkiv (North-East), Roman, 21, a former sportsman from Mykolaiv (South-West). The Russian invasion has touched everybody, but we are here for each other, connected as never before. Waiting for the evacuation. (The photo is mine)
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My great colleague and friend Anelina Kariakina @li_non made this interview with @ZelenskyyUa for 80 European broadcasters as UAPBC news-editor. “How do I feel? I feel sane, and I clearly understand what’s going on. And I for sure take my time to take decision remaining calm.”
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Mariupol. The mayor says bridges and trains are destroyed, so it’s hard to evacuate people. No water, no electricity. Authorities try to rebuild infrastructure but also organize “green corridor”.
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After the photo of a shelf & cockerel from Borodyanka became viral,Lera found them for dear friends.Occasionally she met @ZelenskyyUa & @BorisJohnson in Kyiv down town,decided to present them.Weirdly security let her do so.Sounds unbelievable. It’s Ukraine
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Journalists, experts, anybody who writes me.I’m reporting on the ground in Kyiv on what I see with my own eyes. There’re not so many of us. With other requests: assistance, contacts, etc. please, reach to those thousands Ukrainians who’re near their laptops in UA and outside.
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86 Ukrainian soldiers were freed after the POW-swap. Out of them - 15 females. With them vice-prime minister Iryna Vereschuk. We don’t see photos of the Russian soldiers welcomed home. I can’t even imagine how difficult is to negotiate such things at war, but relieved it happens
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If you have not yet heard this joke which applies Putin-Lavrov double speak, here it is: “These are not sanctions against Russia, this is a special operation for saving Russian economy.”.
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When any Westerner asks me about “why didn’t Ukrainians believe to the Western intelligence about bombing in Kyiv, I usually say the same, as I hear Ukrainians says that all the time. Now @olena_zelenska This is the key reason
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Ukrainian citizens requested the government to create a system to donate to the army. Today E-Support online system was created. In 5 hours Ukrainian collected $2,5 mln. Earlier National bank within 1 day collected $10 mln to UA military.
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A former teacher from Popasna (close to Lisichansk), Viktor Shulik who went to fight with his 23 old son, died in the battle near Bakhmut some days ago. He was earlier portrayed by @IKoshiw
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Russia isn’t trying to invade Ukraine any longer as it’s hardly possible. It punishes Ukrainians with airstrikes for not being obedient.”Democracy” gets its new meaning here,and gives ppl new strength,but they pay the highest price. My latest @PostOpinions
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Max Levin, Ukrainian photoreporter was killed. He was missing since March 13. He died north of Kyiv in the area where battles took place. In 2014 Max has survived Ilovaisk. He has 4 kids. He is well known in Ukraine media community. We grieve him
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Talked to the man who volunteered at the Kramatorsk train station during the attack.”If I wasn’t there at that day I’d give up volunteering. When I was carrying a dead body of a kid, I thought about my daughter,that somebody else would help her,so I returned to help next day”.
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Read the thread. The same atrocities in all the towns liberated from the Russians.
The Ukrainians have liberated the town of Trostyanets in the Sumy region following a month of Russian occupation. The occupiers left behind destruction, dead civilians and a shaken populace. Please take the time to read this long and very powerful piece.
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After what Russia did I often read from UA pundits how impossible is to feel compassion for the Russian soldiers. On the ground, I often meet Ukrainian mothers saying:"We know those Russian soldiers are also boys, Putin shouldn't send them to die, there is no reason for the war".
You rarely hear from mothers of Russian soldiers. This lady came up to us at an anti-war protest in Moscow, desperate for the safety of her 22 yr old son. She told us there were only 10 men left in his regiment. If there are voices Putin fears, it’s these
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Working in Kherson region, and 🇺🇦South,talking to the people from liberated villages I feel like saying: there is nothing worst that the Russian occupation.Even shelling isn’t so devastation.On the photo - the house in a small village where local men were tortured, one killed
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Irpin today. That how it should look like and should be. Photo by Oleksii Tarabukin
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