Five Hours Becomes Thirteen Hours- And Frontline Adaptability Conquers Impact Of Missiles And Drones. Fossil Fuel To The Rescue. A Subterranean Christmas?
Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, received the first missiles in the early morning of 24 February 2022 when the armed forces of the Russian Federation invaded and invaded further into the territory of Ukraine.
That targeting, now including drones, never abated as Kharkiv is approximately forty kilometers (twenty-four miles) from the nearest border with the Russian Federation.
On Thursday, minutes after departing a café in Kharkiv, a missile strikes nearby, then a second. The distance is near enough for the pavement to vibrate, balance of legs ajar, ears re-adjust, everyone within view stops, looks about the skyline… then continues with their journeys.
At the University Metro Station in Kharkiv, a subterranean Christmas Wonderland has been created. There is also a stage prepared for holiday-themed performances. Think about the optics- some families, children, may have forever in their memories a day or series of days when they had to think about how Santa Claus was going to deliver gifts to them when they are hiding underground?
Some components of war have during the last 297 days- forty-two weeks, have numbed what would have in the early days of the war persuaded the most hardened citizen of Kharkiv to seek shelter. Does a war enhance a person’s bravery or make them numb to potential outcomes?
Eight days from today, on 25 December 2022, families in Kharkiv and other cities, towns, and villages in Ukraine will mark, not necessarily celebrate, Christmas.
Sixteen days from today, on 1 January 2023, families in Kharkiv and other cities, towns, and villages in Ukraine will mark, not necessarily celebrate, New Year’s Day.
Twenty-two days from today, on 7 January 2023, families in Kharkiv and other cities, towns, and villages in Ukraine will mark, not necessarily celebrate, Orthodox Christmas.
Eighty-one days from today, on 14 February 2023, families and couples in Kharkiv and other cities, towns, and villages in Ukraine will mark, not necessarily celebrate, Valentine’s Day.
Moving within Ukraine since 24 February 2022 is primarily by sedan, militarized SUV, armored SUV, or train.
Wednesday in Kharkiv were multiple emails and text messages- take shelter immediately. Followed by air raid sirens. Two hours after Thursday ended, Friday morning in Kharkiv began with an email and a text message- take shelter. Followed by air raid sirens.
Later Friday morning, the armed forces of the Russian Federation used missiles and drones to again target energy infrastructure throughout the territory of Ukraine. Kharkiv was impacted significantly. The city went black. Water ceased to flow from faucets.
At the train station in Kharkiv, darkness rules. There is a slightly illuminated snack bar. Tea beckons. The water heated in what must be the world’s largest samovar.
Train 725 from Kharkiv to Kyiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine to the largest city in Ukraine, is scheduled to depart at 7:15 am and arrive at 12:19 pm. A 482-kilometer (399 miles) journey of approximately five hours.
The route is west from Kharkiv, then southwest through the city of Poltava, then northwest to Kyiv. Up to six stops along the route.
Soon after Train 725 moved past Poltava, the electrical grid collapse from the missiles striking Kharkiv cascaded through Poltava. Train 725 has stopped.
For several hours there is no movement. Temperature outside of the carriage is below zero Celsius (below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit). The passengers are quiet, stoic. This is not unusual since 24 February 2022. The young woman managing the snack bar apologies that her impressive coffee machine is not working. When there is a purchase of snacks, the item purchased is written on a piece of paper and payment is only in Hryvnia, the currency of Ukraine.
Ukrainian Railways, which has been capable of operating much of its 23,000-kilometer (14,290 mile) route network since 24 February 2022 like an only-the-good Merlin of as featured in King Arthur writings does what every citizen of Ukraine has done since 24 February 2022- and some since 2014, adapt. A diesel fuel-powered locomotive is attached to the front of the eight-carriage train and the journey continues. For those supporting renewable energy infrastructure, this was an instance where fossil fuel rescued renewable fuel. Having a back-up is a prudent idea.
The next hours are slow, as in walking seems faster. Then numerous stoppages. The carriages have no electricity. Internet is intermittent due the damage to the electrical grid which impacts operations of cellular towers. Then, the electricity illuminates the carriage. Near simultaneous reaction from passengers- plug in cellular devices for a charge. Soon after the carriage stops and remains for considerable time. Then moves- picking up pace. Then stops. Electricity out again.
Passing the time now includes guessing when train will move, how far it will move, how fast it will move, and for how much time will there be electricity.
Eventually, the electricity becomes constant. The train stops and the diesel locomotive uncouples and goes onward to save another train. During the remaining hours in the journey to Kyiv, darkness adds to the uncertainty of the journey. The speed of the train is sometimes slow, sometimes fast. The blurring shadows of an increasing number of diesel locomotives move swiftly on other parallel railroad tracks- with some locomotives pulling similar carriages toward Poltava and Kharkiv.
A journey which first doubles in length and then nearly triples provides time for thinking and writing, though having to carefully watch the battery power on the laptop. So, pen and paper have a renewal.
The three letters that find the most repetition are “why” as in the question and “how” as in the means. Why is all of this happening to these people? How have they become accustomed to this “new normal” as economists often describe post-2008 Wall Street meltdown and post-COVID-19 pandemic (not yet abated) which altered the lives of many; and how will these people adapt again once the war is no longer what it is today?
Arriving to Kyiv at 8:20 pm, approximately thirteen (13) hours after departing Kharkiv, the station is bustling- and outbound trains are showing delays of thirty minutes to fifty minutes. Throughout the station are women in long orange down-filled overcoats. On the front is the logo of Ukrainian Railways. Printed on the back, in English, “I’m Here To Help.” Remarkable.
Kyiv A Day Later…
An overcast, dreary, damp, with intermittent rain. Visibility ranging from 100 to 200 meters, 328 to 656 feet.
In Kyiv today, images remind of the missiles and drones impacting the city yesterday. Some restaurants, cafes, and retail stores are open, though most with limited use of lighting. Yet, there are some which provide no reference point as to what transpired the previous day- they are full of customers and fully-illuminated and food delivery services are operating.
A Ferris wheel is operating, but passengers are absent. The Ferris wheel is moving counter-clockwise. A symbol of an attempt to turn back time? But, no takers.
Salateira, whose music from speakers mounted outside its location had continued despite its closure in the early days and months since 24 February 2022 is now silent. Primarily a victim of inconsistent electricity, gas, and water required for the preparation of its salads. The music had provided an important connectivity early in the days of the war- what song and what lyrics and how they would always seem to reflect the mood of the day.
Lviv Croissants, whose locations throughout Ukraine have remained operational since 24 February 2022, uses a generator placed outside and near the entrance. Unlike other restaurants, cafes, and retail stores, Lviv Croissants has constructed a wooden container for its generator. Reminds of a doghouse, but in this instance for a do that is unwelcomed and hopefully will find another residence as soon as possible.
In the lobby of the ever-resilient Fairmont Hotel, a large menorah to recognize Hanukkah, which commences on 18 December 2022 and concludes on 26 December 2022.
Two women in a Tesla driving the streets of Kyiv…. Interesting juxtaposition as missiles and drones delivered by the armed forces of the Russian Federation interrupt the electrical infrastructure of Kyiv… how does a Tesla remain charged?
From a friend who resides in Kyiv: “Once after rocket attack there was no electricity for more than one day, and shops near my home started working like this: They let people enter one by one. A shop worker walks with you around the shop with a flashlight and writes down the prices of goods you are taking in a notebook and codes of the goods. Then you come to cashier, who adds the cost of the items, and you pay by cash. All in total darkness. Like in a movie.”
In Ukraine, citizens adapt.
