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February 26, 2022

Discussion in '"Today in History", Literature & Media Review' started by Martin Antonenko, Feb 25, 2022.

  1. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    My History Of War

    February 24, 2022

    For most of us, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a TV news item or talk show subject, with the usual suspects brawling with the usual arguments.

    Not so for me!

    As you know, my beloved Tanja comes from the (now not quite so) beautiful Odessa in the Ukraine.

    We got married on January 5th and on February 1st she had to go to the German embassy in Kiev to apply for her permanent visa. Processing takes between four and 16 weeks. This is because the relevant immigration authorities (in our case in Bremen) have to be involved.

    Normally you have to leave your passport at the embassy - and then get it back with a visa.

    Since the Russian deployment was already in full swing at that time, I wrote to the German ambassador personally and managed to get Tanja to take her passport back with her while it was being processed.

    Otherwise she would not have been able to leave the country legally!

    Since then she sat in Odessa and waited while the Russian deployment continued.

    Unfortunately, even then it was clear to me that there would be war, because nobody in their right mind would transport 180,000 men with all their equipment west from the Siberian military districts so that they would not be deployed.

    And there's a lot that can be said about the Russian tyrant, but one thing for certain: he's not an idiot, the KGB didn't promote idiots to colonels!

    However, Tanja and her family - like probably most of us - did not believe in war - if at all, then in the Donbass, a limited Russian intervention.

    But for this giant army? I had a different opinion and we actually had a fight.

    I said the same thing almost every day: Get out while you still can! And Tanja could have done it: I got the plazet from the embassy that she can enter here as a tourist for 90 days without a visa, as long as she doesn't have her visa yet. And she will get it, because they can only refuse in marriages of convenience!

    I finally managed to convince Tanja's older daughter, who flew to Barcelona on February 22 with her husband and eleven-month-old baby. That looks like "vacation" and not like "escape". And I know people there who want to help them.

    Tanja's younger daughter didn't want to go at all, she just didn't believe in a war! And Tanja didn't want to be without her daughter either.

    After endless back and forth, I was able to book Tanja a flight to Berlin, which would have gone on the evening of the 25th. Her daughter wanted to stay in Ukraine, she couldn't be persuaded!

    The day before the flight, the 24th, at exactly 4:09 a.m., came the Russian declaration of war. They were finally convinced and BOTH wanted to leave - only there were no more planes and flights, everything was closed and cancelled!

    Fighting raged throughout the day in Odessa - a Ukrainian naval base near the port was razed by Russian warships - and in the city itself savage gunfire broke out between pro-Russian militias and Ukrainian police. Five dead officially. So at least. Was there in 2014 before. At that time 49 dead.

    Russian Attack on Ukrainian Navy Base, Odessa...:




    We then agreed together (thank God the FSB hasn't shut down WhatsApp yet) that they should get away with the car.

    Not over Kiev, there was total chaos, plus air raids and ground fighting nearby, and especially not to Poland, because half of western Ukraine converges on the border there.

    Instead we decided they should make their way through the Carpathian Mountains on back roads to Moldova at night! Two frightened women - and another woman with a child who has joined them.

    Above all, they were not allowed to take the wrong turn in the dark and on unfamiliar streets, because in the area there is still the so-called "Djnestr Republic" or "Transnistria" with the "capital" Tiraspol, which has broken away from Moldova - and that's also where the Russian army is located , which on the 25th also shelled targets in south-west Ukraine. Then they would have fled into the jaws of the lion, so to speak!


    February 25, 2022

    00:05 h after a four-and-a-half-hour drive (to be on the safe side, on small side roads!), Tanja is standing in a six-kilometer queue with the car and companions at the Starokasatche ("Old Cossack") border crossing somewhere in the middle of nowhere on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. It's progressing, but (for me) excruciatingly slowly!

    She writes: "We're fine, don't worry! Everyone helps each other."

    But if even a single Russian military vehicle shows up, the just-ordered line will turn into a roaring mob of panicked people. That's what I'm afraid of at the moment!

    At 12:53, Tanja sent me an SMS that she had finally crossed the Ukrainian border and was in Modawi with her companions - so she was safe.

    Incidentally, the long waiting time was not due to the Modawians, on the contrary, they were extremely helpful! Normal people cleared out their pantries and carted the contents to the border to take care of the refugees.

    Chapeau!

    However, the Ukrainian border guards searched every car before it drove over - and took all the men between the ages of 18 and 60 out of the car. General mobilization, ban on leaving the country for all men who can carry a weapon. They have to go to the front, whether they like it or not!


    Reminds me of the "Volkssturm" - and I'm afraid that will be just as useless as it was in 1944/45. There will only be many victims.

    There was a small or larger drama with every car - hence the long waiting time.

    At 5:20 p.m. my sweetheart, her daughter and her companion with the child were finally in Kishinev. Her Route is shown in the following map (blue pointed line). The airport is still closed due to the close fighting.

    [IMG]


    February 26, 2022


    My wonderful Tanja and her companions are currently sleeping in a small cheap hotel in Kishinev and are recovering.

    In the morning (Saturday) we will discuss how to proceed.

    If Kishinev Airport remains closed, the best option will be to drive to Bucharest (470 km) and from there fly to Germany.

    It doesn't matter where! I'll be at the airport to pick you up, no matter where it is!

    I've been sitting at the computer almost non-stop for two and a half days, looking at street maps, calculating routes, watching and analyzing the news, combing through flight plans and communicating with Tanja practically around the clock - and keeping in touch with her other daughter, who is with her husband and eleven-month-old baby escaped the fury of war to Spain on the last flight that left Odessa.

    From what we hear, the Ukrainian army is faring far better than all "experts" predicted. In the south (where the main attack from Crimea on the city of Mariupol took place), the Ukrainians gave the Russian bear a mighty kick in the tail! Likewise in the east, where the attack came from the Donbass.

    That's where the best Ukrainian formations are, that's where the main attack was probably expected.

    However, it came from Belarus, via Chernobyl to Kiev!

    There is fierce fighting in the city, with apparently individual Russian tankers who will stop at nothing!



    Civilians are said to be taking part in the fighting and throwing burning petrol bottles at Russian tanks from houses.

    The TV appeal by the obviously pissed-off Russian tyrant to the Ukrainian army to overthrow the "clique of drug-addicted neo-Nazis" (as Putin called the Ukrainian government) will not bear fruit.

    There are reports from Bremen that children of Russian origin are bullied and attacked by other children in schools. As if they are guilty...

    And don't tell anyone this article is too "political"!
    I'm only writing here what the war does to completely innocent people who have never harmed anyone in their lives!

    War is a crime - and whoever starts a war is a criminal! This has nothing to do with politics - but with common sense.
    Giwe, oldtrousers, valiant and 4 others like this.
  2. Tecumsea PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    England
    Hello Martin l can't imagine the pain you are feeling and sincerely hope that you manage to be united in the very near future. It seems that you are on the right track and it paints a vivid picture of the effect of the Russian invasion on the innocent population of Ukraine.
    I love way our politicians are standing behind Ukraine when of course they should be alongside them.
    The West has sleep walked into this and are risking the same with China.
    Please let us know that your family arrive safely.
    Keith.
  3. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Martín

    Nothing political just a heartfelt story which highlights the dangerous journey to a more safer place that Tanja and family , and indeed all those trying to escape this mayhem

    My thoughts are with you all , you will be there to collect her my friend

    Send my and all our best wishes and strength to them all

    Nap
    Martin Rohmann, Giwe and Tecumsea like this.
  4. Giwe Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Germany
    Hallo Martin,
    Alles Gute für dich und deine tapfere Familie! Meine Gedanken sind bei euch und allen Unschuldigen auf beiden Seiten!
    Martin Rohmann, valiant and Nap like this.
  5. Airkid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Martin, I share your grief and anxiety and I have total admiration for your dear Tanja and her family. All will be well my friend - tyrants all have the same ending.

    Phil
    Martin Rohmann, Giwe, Nap and 2 others like this.
  6. gazer Active Member

    Country:
    Israel
    Hope for peace soon for Tanja, her family, and all people of Ukraine. This is horrible. I am happy your loved ones are safe and that even from afar, you can help!

    Benny
    Giwe, Martin Rohmann and Nap like this.
  7. Martin64 A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Good to know that your wife and friends are safe. I remember my Ukrainian comrades from the misson in Kosovo 2008 and their worries when the same situation in South Ossetia came up. Already then they knew what might happen one day to their homeland. So much time lost since then to make a change and prepare for a day like this...
    Airkid, Giwe and Martin Rohmann like this.
  8. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    Update:

    My Tanja, her daughter and Svjeta, their companion with the child, are right now driving to the romanian border- I hope, there will be no problems!

    BTW: Svjeta is Russian, who lives for long in the Ukraine, and without her help (it's her car!) they would not be able to leave the warzone right in time.

    Never forget:
    The ordinary Russians are wonderful people, like the Ukrainians. They don't want any war, like the Ukrainians! But they are unlucky to be ruled by a dictator who doesn't shy away from murder and manslaughter or war, has his security apparatus brutally suppress any dissent in the country, and has been pouring anti-Ukrainian propaganda on the Russians for eight years.

    Not even every second soldier fighting for Russia in Ukraine might believe in a "just cause"! But they face court-martial if they don't cooperate...

    Personally, I wish this tyrant cancer - in an area where painkillers are far from available!

    Cheers
    Tecumsea and Giwe like this.
  9. Martin Antonenko A Fixture

    Country:
    Germany
    I'd rather not write anything about the behavior of our government here, otherwise I'll puke up all over my keyboard...
    Airkid, Giwe and Martin64 like this.
  10. Giwe Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Germany
    Ich kann dir nur zustimmen und ich hoffe sehr dass alles klappt an der Grenze!
    Martin Rohmann likes this.

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