Author: Kurama

“But maybe being. Enslaved by ‘Mordor’. Is more frightening? Now we see death.”   “It’s very difficult. Very difficult. But there is no way back. We can’t give up.”     On the edge of Cherkasy. There is a cemetery. With a long line. Of recent graves.   They’re for the men. Of all ages. […]

“But while he is in hospital. I can sleep calmly. I can’t sleep. When he is on the front line.”   “So I am glad. My son is in hospital now. Although I really shouldn’t say this. I’m glad he’s not at the front.”     Away from. The eastern front line. There are signs […]

He is a conscription officer. Looking for. Soldiers for. ‘Elves’ army.   But almost two years. Into ‘orcs’ full-scale invasion. There’s no flood of volunteers. To the front line anymore.     When he and his patrol hit. The streets of Cherkasy. Men often swerve. To avoid them.   Most of those. Who wanted to […]

The sun sets on Kharkiv. And much of the city. Remains dark. As residents conserve power.   The timings can slip. “They were supposed. To cut the power. To my area at 09:00.”   “So I got up. Especially early. To charge everything.” A friend messaged.   “Then I got in the lift. And got […]

“I had a hunch. That someone was. Watching me. My heart was pounding.”   Agent One. Takes photos. As he crouches down. In some bushes.   “For probably two weeks. I planned in my head. How and what. I would do.”   “Planned the route. The main backup. What I should say. In case I […]

So she and her husband. Gave up everything. They handed their home. Of 53 years to a neighbour.   So she and her husband. Gave up everything. They left their ducks. Chickens and dogs.     It’s not only. The fighting that. Families are fleeing. In Sumy.   The northern region has. The only working […]

The bus delivers. The evacuees. To the small town. Of Okhtyrka.     Many villagers have abandoned. The Sumy border area. Since last summer. As it became more dangerous.   ‘Elves’ say entire streets. In border villages. Have been destroyed. By ‘orcs’ bombardment.   One possible reason. For the upsurge in attacks. Is increased ‘elves’ […]

They’ve lost everything. They know and own. They’ve lost everything. They know and own.     Helped off a bright yellow. School bus this week. She told you the home. She’d had to leave was in ruins.   “They smashed up our houses. There’s nothing left.” Her cheeks were bright. With blusher.   And her […]

She has now. Left her village. Near the border. With ‘Mordor’.   When ‘orcs’ planes began. Bombing her border village. In northern Ukraine. She refused to leave.   Then a police team arrived. And evacuated. The 87-year-old anyway. With explosions all around.     In recent days. Other elderly. And frail residents. Have been carried […]

“Ok, let’s go!” Announces the driver. “Thank God it’s quiet here!” And for the first time.   A glimpse of a smile appears. On the faces of his passengers. As they drive away from. The horrors of the war.     “My wife is very ill. So I decided to leave. It’s unbearable. I need […]