A day and a night in Kharkiv (First published 18.05.2024)

Thursday was Vyshyvanka Day, the annual celebration of the traditional vyshyvanka embroidered clothing.  Despite the grim situation in Kharkiv and region, following Russia’s new offensive over the past week, some people were out in their vyshyvankas, e.g. in Schevchenko Park above. And nowhere were they seen more than in Hell's Kitchen...

The situation in this region is said to have “stabilised,” according to President Zelensky, who recently visited Kharkiv. Russian forces advancing in Kharkiv region are, supposedly, creating a “buffer zone” to protect Russian border regions. Putin says that capturing the city of Kharkiv is not part of Russia’s current plan but who would believe anything he says? In the meantime, the plan seems to be to terrorise the city. Thursday, day and night, saw the longest air alarm in Kharkiv and region, thus far: 16 May 08:15 - 17 May 00:48 - 16 hours, 33 minutes! It was, as we say, a "noisy" night. A couple of loud bangs were frightening, and I still haven't learned to distinguish between "good" and "bad' bangs. Those I heard that night were good bangs: Ukrainian forces shot down all 20 drones that Russia dispatched in an overnight attack on 5 regions, according to the Ukrainian military. But unfortunately, the following day, Russian guided bombs killed at least 3 people and injured 28 others in Kharkiv - all civilians.

Recently, as result of the worsening situation, the couple who run Hell's Kitchen made a "huge request," to mobilise and get as much fresh food as possible to where it's needed. So there have been long days for everyone, but still opportunities to laugh. One of the Ukrainian volunteers is a nurse in a maternity hospital (still functioning well) and brings "scrubs" for kitchen staff to wear if they want. Some of them are a little on the large side!

The other night we went out for a meal to say goodbye to Luis, an amazing 19-year-old Irish guy, who is going to offer his technical skills in really important areas, elsewhere in Ukraine. I had a conversation with the couple who started Hell's Kitchen, at the beginning of the full Russian invasion, in February 2022. Liuda made an interesting comment, effectively: "I wish I wasn't a volunteer." I understand what she means. She and her husband were ordinary people, running a successful IT business, probably never realising that what they started would become the important organisation it is today, which it's necessary to continue. I had a conversation with the couple who started Hell's Kitchen, at the beginning of the full Russian invasion, in February 2022. Liuda made an interesting comment, effectively: "I wish I wasn't a volunteer." I understand what she means. She and her husband were ordinary people, running a successful IT business, probably never realising that what they started would become the important organisation it is today, which it's necessary to continue.

I have a similar feeling: I wish this unjust, brutal war would end so that I no longer need to be a volunteer. It would be easy to say, it's not my country, I can just go home now that it's becoming more dangerous. But, for one thing, having volunteered in Ukraine for over 18 months, I feel more attached to this country than I do to England. Far more importantly, I think this war is about more than the freedom of Ukraine - it's a fight for democracy, justice, human rights, etc., for future generations in Europe and elsewhere, long after I've gone. Which is a rather grand way of saying that, for now, I feel that what I'm doing is worth the risks. 


Yesterday evening, when there were just a few of us finishing off in the bakery section, Liuda presented us with a posy of flowers as we left. She said that she saw the remaining volunteers were all women and thought it would be nice...it made my day!


If you wish to make a donation, please use PayPal: sunflower_house@hotmail.co.uk

Working in Ukraine since June 2022. At present, coordinating international volunteers and baking in Hell's Kitchen, Kharkiv. 

Location: Hryhoriia Skovorody St, 42, Kharkiv, Kharkivs'ka oblast, Ukraine, 61000

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