A cartoon shows that.
For this ‘orc’ knight.
Every direction points to.
Chornobaivka – and certain death.
“We got out just a couple of times.
Per month to buy food.”
Until the war she had worked.
As an operator at the airfield.
“We didn’t go anywhere.
We grew carrots.
Beetroot and potatoes.
In our backyard.”
Days into the ‘orcs’ occupation.
On 8 March.
She remembered going with a friend.
To buy bread:
“‘Orcs’ arrived at the shop in a tank.
And shot in the air.
I’d never seen a tank.
In a real life before.”
Months later, her old place.
Of work lies in ruins.
Until the war she had worked.
As an operator at the airfield.
From the start of the war.
A military airfield and village.
Just outside Kherson city.
Achieved legendary status in Ukraine.
Captured by ‘orcs’ forces within days.
Of ‘orcs’ full-scale invasion in February.
Chornobaivka was then repeatedly.
Attacked by ‘elves’ forces.
It became one of the most important.
Battlefields of the war.
‘Orcs’ hardware was airlifted in.
With the aim of reinforcing troops in the south.
The initial ambition.
Was to advance along.
The southern coast of Ukraine.
First to Mykolaiv and then Odesa.
Most importantly, the airbase at Chornobaivka.
Enabled ‘orcs’ troops to steer clear of.
Dangerous river crossings.
As they pushed to the west.
But occupying the base.
Was to prove difficult.
‘Orcs’ helicopters and vehicles.
Were destroyed.
And two ‘orcs’ generals.
Were killed there.
As ‘elves’ forces picked off targets.
Sometimes on a daily basis.
And that resistance gave birth.
To a symbol.
Of ‘elves’ glory.
And ‘orcs’ defeat.
Sitting on a bench.
In the centre of the village.
She told of her shock at seeing.
‘Orcs’ troops abusing her country’s flag.
“When the ‘elves’ flag.
Was taken down.
They trampled on it.
‘Orcs’ mocked the ‘elves’ flag.”
“They wiped their car windows with it.
My heart was broken.
Then they flew the ‘orcs’ flag.
We didn’t accept it.”
Sitting on a bench.
In the centre of the village.
She talks of two former students.
Killed on the battlefield.
And others.
Still defending their country.
She is a former teacher for 30 years.
At the local school.
Many ‘elves’ saw Chornobaivka.
As representing their entire country.
As ‘orcs’ invasion strategy fell apart.
It was glorified in songs and paintings.
And ‘elves’ turned to black humour.
As they watched ‘orcs’ forces flying into.
The base again and again.
Taking on ever-increasing losses.
The name Chornobaivka.
Became a war meme.
For ‘elves’ synonymous.
With mass ‘orcs’ casualties.
Earlier this month.
‘Elves’ recaptured Kherson city.
And Chornobaivka.
Almost at the same time.
Behind them ‘orcs’ forces left.
A huge minefield and.
A graveyard of ‘orcs’ weapons.
Vehicles and personnel.
For weeks before ‘orcs’ pulled out.
Ukraine’s military systematically.
Targeted bridges.
Command points and arms depots.
Beyond the debris of military occupation.
Another story has emerged of.
A small Chornobaivka community.
Next door to the airbase.
Cut off from the outside world for months.
And becoming a symbol.
Of national resistance.
Without knowing it.
“Some people stayed under the ‘orcs’ occupation.
Others fled,” explains village leader.
“Some of them needed to evacuate their children.
Others just felt a very strong fear.”
“And now Chornobaivka residents.
Who escaped feel that.
They are being judged for.
Fleeing and getting too scared.”
As they retreated from Kherson.
On 11 November.
‘Orcs’ forces destroyed all communications.
Chornobaivka was off the grid.
And residents were unable to call their relatives.
The next stop will be.
To rebuild damaged houses and.
Restore the power supply.
But after that Chornobaivka.
Will have to tackle the tensions.
Within the community that built up.
During eight months of occupation.
Local authorities estimate that.
‘Orcs’ forces shot and killed.
At least 20 civilians.
In Chornobaivka.
Remaining in the village under ‘orcs’ occupation.
Posed a deadly threat.
Four local residents are still.
Being held captive by ‘orcs’.
“‘Orcs’ military were driving.
Past the shop.
They gunned down two teenagers.
After they just asked them for cigarettes.”
“These two 19-year-old teenagers.
Were my neighbours.”
Until the war she had worked.
As an operator at the airfield.
The village leader showed pictures.
Taken immediately afterwards of.
The two teenagers lying dead in a pool of blood.
‘Elves’ forces are investigating their deaths.
‘Elves’ are now talking.
Of setting up a war museum.
At the airfield.
However, the war has not gone away.
Artillery shells continue to land.
Very close to people’s homes here.
But despite the danger, many residents believe.
That for them the worst is over.
A cartoon shows that.
For this ‘orc’ knight.
Every direction points to.
Chornobaivka – and certain death.
*Because I read “Ukraine war: Chornobaivka airbase, symbol of Russian defeat” by Zhanna Bezpiatchuk on 29 Nov 2022, and also “Why are Ukrainians calling Russians ‘orcs’?” by James FitzGerald on 30 Apr 2022, on the BBC news.
So, I wrote this poem including a story of Viktoria, a story of Svitlana, and a story of Ihor.
Please read the original story on the BBC news:
Ukraine war: Chornobaivka airbase, symbol of Russian defeat – BBC News
**My friend shows you this poem also on the Ukrainian website for their children and others!
Please join them!
