Author: Kurama

A volunteer who evacuates civilians. Showed you a message. From a resident. A few days ago.   “The basement where people were. Staying on Soborna Street. Has been hit,” it says. “A lot of people have died.”   The volunteer was unable. To get there because. The street is now. The new front line.   […]

After months of heavy fighting. ‘Orcs’ forces appear. Close to surrounding. The ruins of Avdiivka.     Where frostbite is taking its toll. On ‘elves’ troops. The man’s fist looked unrecognisable. Like a split and bruised peach.   “Or like a rock.” Said the ‘elves’ army surgeon. Tapping the frozen fingers. It was the second […]

No face, no name. But minds. Welcome to secret classes. In Melitopol.     Like millions of other ‘elves’. In the early weeks of. ‘Orcs’ full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She was forced from her home.   She couldn’t tolerate. Living under ‘orcs’ occupation. In her southern hometown. Of Melitopol.   And she felt she would […]

“The entire river crossing. Is under constant fire. I’ve seen boats. With my comrades on board.”   “Just disappear into the water. After being hit. Lost forever. To the Dnipro river.”   “We must carry. Everything with us. Generators, fuel. And food.”   “When you’re setting up. A bridgehead. You need a lot of everything. […]

“My daughter kept. Screaming and crying. That we forgot daddy. I needed to be strong.”     On 24 February 2022. ‘Mordor’ invaded Ukraine. That morning. Her life “changed forever”.   She and her husband. Woke up to the sounds of. Planes flying overhead. And bombs exploding.   ‘Orcs’ troops were roaming their city. The […]

He has the sort of chuckle. That’s hard to resist. Deep and treacly and mischievous. “I’m still alive.”   He said, tilting his head. To one side in his wheelchair. Like a spectator marvelling at. Someone else’s magic trick.   He is 50 years old now. And you’re meeting for the third time. Since ‘Mordor’ […]

After so much suffering. Trauma is everywhere. And expresses itself. In different ways.   But it has not erased. The spirit of kindness. That was so evident. Two years ago.     In a carriage from Lviv station. Heading towards Kyiv. You meet a short, stocky man. With an engaging smile.   He is one-armed. […]

Two years on. The war has settled. On Lviv station. A stubborn season that will not move.   There is weariness. And everywhere. Stories of. What’s been lost.     She was a doctor. At the height. Of the refugee crisis. She was directing a team.   Of doctors, nurses and volunteers. Constantly on the […]

You heard the screams. From far away. They came floating. Across the rows of the dead.   Across the rows of the dead. Over other graves. Still waiting. To be filled.     You heard the screams. From far away. They came floating. Over the rows of flags.   Over the rows of flags. To […]

A 14-year-old boy. Went to live. In western Ukraine. With his aunt.   After his mum. His granddad. His uncle and eight-year-old cousin. Were all killed in Hroza.   Many who died there. Were parents. And Hroza now is known as. A village of orphans.     “I miss you very very much.” He tells […]