What’s Going On in Ukraine? A View From the Inside

I’m situated in a small city near Odessa. I’ve heard a few sounds of explosions throughout this horrible time of the incursion. But, from what I’ve gathered, it was shelling in Odessa and the nearby Gribovka.

There are not a lot of signs of war outside. People are strolling on a sunny day, and everything is as usual. Except, if you’ll listen to the people’s talks, you can hear that they all chat about the situation and discuss where they should hide in case of shelling. There are also long queues near ATMs and in supermarkets.

I’ve read news in English, but the information is more general and not as detailed as the one that I can get from Ukrainian YouTube channels, Telegram channels, and their comment sections. People observe everything with their own eyes and report what they witnessed to others. You can also come across propagandistic bots there who are spreading disinformation, but I believe I can say whether it’s a real person or a fake.

Kyiv is under attack. The population of the cities that are the first target for Russian occupation is ready to defend their homes. In Keiv alone, the government issued more than 13 thousand Kalashnikov assault rifles to every male and female who wants to join the Homeland Defense forces.

In addition, the government advises civilians to craft Molotov cocktails and use them whenever they can. The point of this total resistance plan is to cause the Russian army heavy casualties when they assault the city.

We have to view the situation realistically: the Russian army is stronger and larger than ours. In that manner, our hope is to cause maximum damage to the enemy in order to discourage their morale.

At this point, we have to believe in our victory, but it does not depend only on the combat clashes. There are antiwar protests in Russia, and we hope that Russian citizens will urge the government to negotiate.

As became known Putin’s initial plan was to invade Ukraine, especially Kyiv, by blitzkrieg. Thus, any resistance that the civilian population can offer against the aggressor is valuable and may turn the war outcome.
Our experts are skeptical about the sanction program launched by our western friends against Russia.

A pro-Ukrainian YouTube blogger, Andrey Luganskiy has found the picture of one of the captured Russian officer’s houses where he was born and lived all his life. He has shown his dilapidated shack to his audience and commented, “do you really think that the sanctions can change anything for this man? He has nothing to lose.”

This is how our experts view the sanctions program offered by our western friends in order to make Putin pay for his decision. It’s unlikely that it’s going to work in short term.

On the other hand, everyone understands that our only hope is our army, volunteers, and population rallying. We are the descendants of fearless warriors, Cossacks. They relied only on their sabers and God.

But, personally, as a simple guy, I have my thoughts about it. I’m thinking, do Western leaders indeed do everything they can in order to stop Putin? I understand that there’s a line they should be careful not to cross in order to avoid WW3 being started. But, is it only that, or is there financial expediency taking place? I dislike being needy and whining, but, you know, when it’s about your physical survival double-check on your friend’s intentions won’t hurt.

Besides, there’s another dilemma on my mind. Ukrainians express different political opinions. The wast majority dislikes Russia, doesn’t want it to be our partner, and doesn’t want to have anything to do with them. Pro-Russian sympathizers are a minority.

Nevertheless, among pro-independent political camps, you can find those who adore Europe, democracy, Western values, and so on, as well as those who are skeptical about all that.

There are parties who want to team up with Europa and the U.S. only because it’s necessary to fight off Russia. However, they are also critical of democracy, and the Free World. You know whom I’m talking about… right-wing fellas.
Well, I’m just an observer. I don’t hold to any idealogy firmly.

I just want to figure out for myself who’s right among them at the end of the day. I mean, if Germany and France are not so enthusiastic about resorting to full-fledged economical sanctions against Russia, can it be that it’s merely because they are trambling about the possibility of WW3, or are they just being pragmatic regarding not losing their comfort?

And in case the second is true, why do we have to consider them as our true allies, and a stronghold of democracy? Maybe it’s all bullshit?