BOOTS ON THE GROUND 7

SEPTEMBER 2022.

Sunflowers and spent shells-

Life in the Ukraine war zone.

Ukraine is bursting with fields full of beautiful sunflowers. It's such an uplifting sight, swathes of golden yellow, gently swaying in the breeze. It's a landscape worth fighting for. On the tree-line behind, there are burnt out Russian tanks. They were sent to take this beautiful land. They came in numbers, but they didn't take it. It's a deep contrast.

'Z' tells us it's Russian, a troop carrier. The area is littered with combat clothing, boots and looted supplies. In one 'fox hole', I found boxes of English breakfast tea. I'm sure they aren't standard Russian army rations! Further along, yet another tank with the turret blown off. This battle site is just 5 miles outside the Kharkiv city limits. The fields have dozens of bare patches, just soil, where tanks burned in the fierce heat from anti-tank weapons and their own ammunition.

Up until now, I have tried to blend Ukrainian culture and history with the war here. Since I arrived in Kharkiv though, I have only seen war and the devastating effect it has on ordinary people like you and me. This is the truth that you can only know by being here and I want to show you the reality of this existence. This is why I came here, for this truth and to live and work with it.

As with Kyiv, I arrived here with very little knowledge of the area and the status of the city. I suspected there would be a lot of volunteer work, but where to find it? So, how incredible was it then, that the apartment I booked just happened to be in the same building as a large volunteer organisation! Synchronicity. Things moved quickly, I started work the next day with another group called Turbota, which means 'care' in Ukrainian. They have military and civilian projects in the city.

My first job was making camouflage webbing, for vehicles and buildings. It is regularly collected by the military and is made by thousands of people all over the country. Here though, they also make 'sniper' camouflage, to blend in with the abundant grass and crop fields.

Well, I just had to try one! They are incredibly heavy and hot, but you can tell just how effective they are. It takes two people to get you in and out, so a team effort. To get the feel of it, I utilised a long brush handle as a sniper rifle, much to the amusement of my co-workers!

The same day, a regular soldier came to collect some of the supplies that are made there. Ukraine as a country, is huge on social media and propoganda. It keeps morale high and everyone involved in the behind-the-scenes war effort. Front-line soldiers can't be recognised though, especially here. There are still Russian insurgents operating in the city. Bizzarely, they usually use cartoon faces in the photos, it's a strange balance between the deadly serious and the absurd!

Turbota also organize baby supplies and medical supplies alongside the miltary work, for the local community and refugees. These central distribution points are essential to maintaining health services in the war zone. All of it is supplied by donations. I made one to them on behalf of our UK/USA aid fund and that money is now working for the welfare of everyday Ukrainians.

An ingenious idea that we work on, is a home-made paraffin burner. We cut cardboard into strips, roll it up and fit it into a small can. A wick is added and then the heated liquid paraffin, which is soaked up by the cardboard and sets. They are taken to the front-lines for soldiers to use as simple heaters for food and drinks! They last about 2 hours; we have done 1,000 so far.

On a lighter note, the group have adopted a kitten. They call him 'Team', I call him 'Combat kitty.' I like mine better. He is a pest though, when you are trying to tie webbing, he's always after the strips of cloth, he thinks it's a game. It's a lot easier when he's like this!

Back at the apartment building, I was arranging some work with the organisation there. Their registered civilian charity is called Pekelna.kitchen and it's associate group military.kitchen. They prepare meals and supply other essentials for soldiers and civilian refugees alike. Military clothing is also made here, as well as more camouflage webbing. I made a donation to this charity on behalf of the UK/USA aid fund. Being a charity collecting donations abroad, they have to record and declare their income and itemise expenditure. They do a huge amount of humanitarian work in and around Kharkiv.

At the rear of the food stores, there is a hoard of used Russian tank shells, rocket launchers and helmets, all collected from this area. I have got used to these kind of contrasting scenes, there are so many, it's become 'normal'. So has the sound of sirens and explosions. Being only 15 miles from the Russian border and hence the front-lines, these are daily occurances. Some days it will be a few, other days it's dozens.

This one landed in the city centre (again), where there are only apartment blocks. No-one was hurt. A few nights ago, one landed about 500m from my apartment. The sound of the explosion is bone shaking, even at that distance. The damage is usually just from the shock wave, that shatters every window in a 300m radius. The worst ones are in the middle of the night. Nobody heads for the shelters any more, there is a palpable philosophical tone to proceedings these days. If it's my turn, then it is what it is. Life goes on the same, just with a lot more loud bangs! Another new 'normal'!

I got a contact that hiked things up to another level and the chance to work with the Ukrainian military! We were taken to a secure military compound, where they repair 4x4 vehicles that are used in a number of different roles by the Ukrainian army. Apart from the reconaissance vehicles used on the front lines, we were allowed to take photos around the garage. Phone location off!!!

Many of the vehicles are donated from other countries. I saw 4x4's from Britain, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic. They are fixed if needed and strengthened for the hammering they are going to receive! Some are adapted, like this Jeep Cherokee for extreme off-roading. The life expectancy of the front-line vehicles is two tanks full of fuel!

There is a continuous stream of vehicles in and out, many brought by soldiers from their front-line positions. They are essential to the war effort and the working days are 12 hours long, 7 days a week for the mechanics and volunteers. I have a basic knowledge of cars, having had my head under the bonnet of old bangers for many years. It's enough to assist the mechanics.

They make sure they look after everyone who works here though; there is always fresh coffee, snacks and meals. These field rations are regularly brought in by soldiers and yes you can request the vegetarian option!

Thank you U.S Department of Defense!

They also pointed out that the site had been hit four times in missile attacks and the hole in the roof is where a cluster bomb came in! It's a legitimate military target and two days ago a missile hit another part of the compound 300m away.

They have been living with it for so long, they are matter of fact about it. The cluster bomb rocket hangs on the wall like a trophy. "Don't go in that shed" they said, "there's still one in there, unexploded, we haven't got round to doing it yet". Ok!!! It's inspiring to see the dedication and effort of this team, who have a superb reputation across the region. I gave a donation from the UK/USA aid fund. They always need money for new parts and the basics for the mechanics in the garage, which is like home to them.

You can't help but admire them though. The garage is run like a professional company and they are good at what they do. Sometimes, it's like a movie set, with rock music blasting out and the growl of a V8 being put through its paces. This really feels like you are front-line with the war effort; soldiers with jaw dropping accounts of their fighting experiences and vehicles peppered with bullet holes. They even have their own car stickers,

courtesy of movie legend Gerard Butler!

One day, Yuri, a soldier, asked me if I wanted to go with him to help an elderly couple living outside the city. Of course I jumped at the chance to do some humanitarian work. After numerous checkpoints and a very windy country road, we arrived at the village of Vil'hivka. Zina and Vladamir have lived in the village all their lives, it's a tiny house and simple life.

They are retired now and were ready for an easier life. Then the Russians came and bombed their house and garage. The back of their house was destroyed, the roof is leaking and they have no money. The local council has started to provide new windows and other help, but they have had to claim refugee status to survive.

Zina has health problems and can't travel. We took them into Kharkiv to process their claims, which they did. On the way back, I cleared it with Yuri and I used money from the UK/USA aid fund to do a huge shop for them, get ice creams and give them cash to help out. It was very emotional, Zina cried and gave me a giant hug and a big bag of their home grown tomatoes and cucumbers! A moment to treasure and an opportunity to say thank you to all who donated and to be able to represent you and help the people who really need it here in the war zone, Ukraine.

This is the local school, Yuri said to have a look. It has been completely destroyed. The clothes are left by local people for anyone who needs them. The Russians bombed it mercilessly then used it as a base, then the Ukrainians bombed it mercilessly to get them out! Yuri is an experienced soldier (with great English!) and talked me through the site. It is littered with spent shells, rocket parts and spent mortar bombs and grenades. I walked in his footsteps, like in a minefield!

There was so much spent ordnance lying around, it sent a shiver down my spine! The bomb squad had been and dealt with as much as they could find, but they didn't get everything. Some things are incredibly difficult to spot. Look closely!

This was barely noticeable in the debris, almost like camouflage. It's a gun fired grenade, there are dozens of empty cartridges lying around, about 5 inches long, but this was live. It had been primed, but had not exploded and even the slightest touch could set it off. The inside is filled with what looks like a coiled metal spring. In fact, it is a continuous thread of hundreds of very tiny metal segments that separate and fly out in every direction like little bullets when it explodes. Particularly nasty. Also here, an unused Kalashnikov bullet; rifle bullet casings and machine gun bullet casings. All picked up in a few square metres.

There's very little left inside to indicate it was even a school, another casualty of war. It was only built in the 1970's, but now it will have to be demolished and built again. Yuri has military I.D, so we were alright to look around.

This is a particularly striking image. There was nothing left in this room, apart from this globe. A message perhaps?. In a cupboard, we found this board. They are hand-grenades, the children learn the details, how to recognise them and even how to throw them!

Even the school bus didn't escape. This school served many villages, now the local children have no access to education and the social interaction it brings. The world doesn't see this. It needs to.

The focus is on the fighting in Ukraine, but the impact it has had on individuals, families and communities is massively under-reported. There is a large international presence in these critical areas, providing a wide range of support, but it is still summer. The effort will have to be ramped up for the long, bitter winter months. A lot of rural villages can still grow fresh food, but that will dwindle rapidly over the coming months. I think that there could be another massive humanitarian crisis on the horizon here.

Back in Kharkiv, we go to a place that was part of the Space technology centre. It's a Soviet-era building and it has a purpose-built nuclear bunker. Now, it is a safe- haven for local people who have lost their homes due to Russian bombing. Is there a greater irony?!

I have also seen people sleeping in the metro stations. They have homes, but are too scared to stay in them at night when most missile attacks happen. Unlike Kyiv, the only 'normal' is the war on your doorstep every day. Kharkiv is Ukraine's second largest city. It's population is usually nearly 2 million. Now it as about 500,000 - still sizeable and there will be casualties.

Despite the threat, there is a sense of resolve from the people who choose to stay here. Every time there is damage from an attack, an army of civilians turns up and cleans the whole area in a matter of hours. Construction and road workers board windows and repair roads and get the city back on track. It stops morale dropping and unites the residents. I've met hundreds of people and I'm continually empowered by their strength. I've also met a lot of soldiers, I would not want to fight them! Nothing is surprising me anymore.

** UK & USA AID FUND UPDATE **

I have adopted the policy of only donating to organisations and people that I have seen in operation and clearly need and can use the money immediately.

Furthermore, the money will be spread across a number of recipients in smaller amounts, rather than only a few larger donations. Everyone is getting enough to make a difference!

The total fund as of 3rd September 2022, is standing at

$1800/£1500. Total donations so far - $1040/£870. Recipients so far:-

Kharkiv

Pekelna.kitchen/military.kitchen - military/humanit. aid.

Turbota - humanit. aid/military supplies.

Sigma - Military vehicles/volunteer & worker supplies.

Zina & Vladamir- Humanitarian aid.

Wounded soldier - medical assistance.

Kyiv

Transform a street dog - war zone animal (all) rescue, medical care and re-homing.

* New donations - $200 USA; £60 UK *

Thank you again for your kindness and generosity.

Kindest regards and best wishes, Michael.

Click on 'All posts' top left of page to read more Boots on the ground from my time in the war-zone Ukraine with culture, history and of course, the war.

SLAVI UKRAINI.

michaeldbet@outlook.com