Invasion of the Russian army: This is how nine Ukrainians experienced the attack on their country

history repeats itself

At 4 a.m. the explosions woke me up.

explosions!

In Kiew!

I couldn't believe it at first, turned on the news.

And saw: Peaceful cities across the country are being bombed.

The night before I had slept normally, I wanted to go back to work in the morning as a social media manager at a marketing company.

But instead I realized: I have to flee again.

In 2014 we, my family and friends, packed our bags and fled our hometown of Luhansk.

Those unable to walk remained under fire.

History is now repeating itself, and in that moment, when I turned on the TV, I couldn't take it anymore: I fell on the ground and cried.

But I also knew that I wasn't safe here in my high-rise apartment.

So I quickly packed my bags, documents, water, necessary things.

My friend picked me up at home as I couldn't go by myself.

We drove to a bar where I used to work, it's safer there, there's an air raid shelter nearby.

It's a nightmare.

I appeal to everyone: there is war in the middle of Europe, please don't be silent!

Many civilians could perish.

Russia is killing us!

It has to stop

I was woken up by my cell phone ringing: "Kharkiv is being bombed," the caller said.

At the same time I heard explosions and shelling here in Kiev.

Outside, about half an hour from downtown where I live.

I'm still at home thinking about what to do next.

Either I disappear into a bunker or I join the Ukrainian army and take up arms.

I work here as an engineer.

I don't want to give up my home and don't want to give up my country to the Russians.

Putin thinks he is an emperor.

I've dreamed of him dying for a long time because then it would all end.

I am afraid for my relatives, they live between Crimea and Donbass.

They also consider escaping.

One thing is certain: we won't give up that easily.

People are nervous

At 5 a.m. Putin declared war on Ukraine, at 5:20 a.m. we were attacked with rockets in Odessa.

Since then, Russian missiles have been flying at our Ukrainian bases every hour, huge clouds of dust are forming.

And civilian targets are also attacked, civilians are hit.

In principle, there is no great panic, but people are nervous.

Many ask in chats where they can help or donate blood to the military hospital.

Because there are already dead and injured.

Some banks have closed, and there are long queues in front of gas stations and ATMs.

I am a deputy from the European Solidarity Party and I live here in Odessa, but I also have contacts in other cities, such as Kharkiv and Kherson.

There are relentless battles.

artillery fire.

However, there is also a lot of disinformation from Russia:

alleged paratroopers over Odessa.

The fact is: many men in Odessa join the Territorial Defense Forces.

I hope that I can report from here for a long time.

Until the connection breaks down.