Emergency kits and a backpack: Ukrainians consider fleeing or staying

Emergency kits and a backpack: Ukrainians consider fleeing or staying

Emergency kits and a backpack: Ukrainians consider fleeing or staying

kyiv (EuroEFE).- The Ukrainians are preparing for a possible attack against their country. Everyone is crossing their fingers that a new escalation by Russia does not occur, but some are already preparing their suitcases and emergency kits, and others are thinking of sending their children to the care of grandparents.

The woman adds that she had her travel bag "ready since 2014" when the war in eastern Ukraine began between the army and pro-Russian separatists, and now she just needs to "buy some dry food to take away."

Iryna, like many Ukrainians, has been following the news of Russian military build-up on Ukraine's borders with increasing anxiety. This Kievite is thinking if she should leave her home if a new invasion starts.

FEARS RISE

As diplomatic efforts cool, fears of another attack are growing. Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in kyiv that Russia may invade Ukraine "in a very short time."

This Monday, the US embassy in Ukraine announced the start of evacuations of the relatives of its diplomatic staff. Non-essential employees may voluntarily return to the US, but will not be required to leave.

Emergency kits and a backpack: the Ukrainians consider flee or stay

The State Department explained that the move is taken "out of an abundance of caution" due to "continued Russian efforts to destabilize the country and undermine the security of Ukrainian citizens and others" visiting or residing in Ukraine.

In an attempt to calm things down, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called the US decision "premature" and a "manifestation of excessive caution."

RESIST OR TAKE REFUGE?

Iryna Yosypenko, surgeon. EFE/ Iryna Yosypenko

Yuliya Smirnova, an NGO worker and mother of two boys, ages 4 and 5, says she has doubts about whether she should leave Kiev. Smirnova also does not know where she might flee in the event of a large-scale armed conflict.

Her elderly mother and grandmother live in Kalanchak, in the southern Kherson region, just 20 kilometers from the Crimean peninsula, annexed by the Russians since 2014.

Smirnova's concern is shared by many Ukrainians, who are now deciding what to do in the event of a possible large-scale Russian attack. And while some prepare to flee, others are determined to stay and resist.

Tanchuk ensures that the local population is not afraid and continues with their daily lives.

The woman says the Ukrainian army is much stronger now than it was at the start of the war in Donbas, "when they were literally fighting in slippers."

"I WILL NEVER LEAVE HOME AGAIN"

Yevhen Spirin is a Ukrainian journalist who had to flee his hometown of Lugansk to Kiev in the spring of 2014, after Russian forces and separatists Locals will take control of the city.

"I'm trying to stay calm because I think it's part of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's plan: to make Ukrainians nervous. I'm not packing my bags, I just have some cash, documents and medicines ready," Spirin told Efe.

FROM DOCTOR TO LAND DEFENSE MEMBER

In 2014 Yosypenko volunteered as a doctor during the Maidan protests and helped treat injured protesters. Then, when the war in Donbas began, Iryna joined the National Guard of Ukraine as a medic.

Due to deteriorating health, Iryna had to leave the Army in 2018. But when Russia began amassing troops on the Ukrainian border in late 2021, she decided to join territorial defense units to support the resistance in her city .

“I started going to some drills and realized that I can still do a lot of things. Now I am in reserve, but if Russia attacks, I will return to the front line as a doctor, "she says.

Edited by María Moya

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