EL PERIODICO in Ukraine: Kiev prepares without panic for a possible Moscow attack

One clumsy portal cry for one coat of paint, and a large black metal door leading to the basement of the building. Boulevard number 58 Taras Sevchenkoin the middle of Kievis one of hundreds of points marked on a interactive map created by the mayor of the capital of Ukraine and intended to “protect the civilian population from emergencies of a human or military nature”, as explained on the same website.

The place has already been identified by the Ukrainian civil defense as possible shelter in case of an air strike Russia. But the installation is far from ready for the military events which may occur in the coming days or weeks: the door is tightly closed with a double padlockand in the telephone number indicated, which belongs to the person presumably managing the installation, no one seems to be in control.

Ukraine lives the times of greatest uncertainty since it gained independence with a certain dose of schizophrenia. While the official institutions scatter pamphlets aimed at the population where things are explained as pack in an emergency bag or how much drinking water accumulates in case of siege, while the citizens do food storage or plans to run out although without knowing very well which direction to gono external sign appears to indicate imminent armed conflict with the almighty neighbor: the traffic on the streets of the capital continues to generate the jams of all times, and the morning congregation in the kievite metro they retain their usual pulse rate. “People around me are worried, but there is no panic,” he said. Yulia Tsibagraphic designer of 39 years.

Dmytro Shynkarukcommunication consultant 31 years, explains that he will start packing his emergency bag next weekend. “I will post copies of my documents, energy accumulator for my cell phone and some clothes; on television they tell us it must be light Y easy to carry“, he explains. With his partner he still has to discuss what they are both going to do in case of an attack, although he admits that it is difficult to devise a plan due to the impossibility of predicting which of the multiple war scenarios what has been considered in recent weeks may end materialize. “Kiev is very close to the border with Belarusand the attack can `come from the north, although it can also start from the east, ‘he points out anyway, he says he has been following the news” carefully “for days now so that no event ends him on the catching wrong foot.

fiery defender of a Ukraine firmly anchored in the West and looking to Europe, Dmytro will not stay with crossed arms if the country is forced back into the Kremlin’s kraal. Although he does not rule out fighting, he believes it could be. “more useful “ in communication issues thanks to his experience as journalist.

Volodymyr Nazarekin front of a cell phone business in one of the posts of the huge network of underground passages that cross the Plaza de la Independencia (Maidán), where it took place collisions who forced the pro-Russian president to flee in 2014 Viktor Yanukovychtake things with you calms down. “If they invade, I will go to Poland with my wife,” he jokes. “No man, I will stay here, because they are not going to do anything to us; they will put them Pro-Russian government forever they will leave us in peace“, he continues in a distant tone. He also has not studied the recommendations of the authorities in detail, and he does not even know what the nearest refuge is:” But this underground is already a refuge! “, notes he sarcastically on.

Man pragmatically and barely politicized, his feelings towards Russia are more ambiguous as that of Dmytro; although he strongly criticizes the president Vladimir Putin and condemning the Russian annexations at the expense of the territory of his country, he also longs for the times when the grivna, the national currency, was strong and traded well against other currencies. “Now we are poorest“, he remarks.

small militarized country

To be a leading country eight years in war, which in the near future may suffer a new attack from a power with many more military resources, Ukraine is at first glance an area sparsely militarized. On the subway, the ads offer the same cheap adsthe same discount, bargains or travel than in any other European city. There are no demands that encourage citizens to enter, or pamphlets. patriotic slogans. From time to time one comes across posters showing the soldiers face you accompany officers phrases of acknowledgment or thanks. “She will be at war for victory”, indicates one of them, presiding over the face of a woman with a helmet, called Olena Mokrenchuk. In the Plaza de la Independencia, at the foot of the statue crowned by an image of Berehyniaa Slavic deity, arranged popular cost calculations for wounded army where they are distributed colorful bracelets in exchange for a donation.

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“Most people are restless, they are trying to guess what is going to happen”, Yúlia sums up. “But we have been conducting military activities in the east for eight years, so we are already somewhat prepared,” he continues. In the event that the Russian army finally occupied part of Ukraine, this woman plans to “do everything possible to defend her country”. “I am not going to flee abroad and I will try to be useful to my government in fighting the enemy,” he continued.

Regardless of the degree of commitment to the independence of this former Soviet republic or to the current authorities, and perhaps confusing wishes with reality, there is a certain belief that blood will not reach the riverthat there will be no one military occupationfully: “What are the Russians going to occupy!” exclaims the merchant Nazarek in disbelief. Yes indeed. Everyone takes it for granted that the country will continue to suffer harassment and bullying from Moscow.