Because of a late start, we drove only as far as Rzeszów, Poland on day 1 of our trip to deliver aid to Tarashcha. So we were anxious to get an early start facing two border checks (Poland & Ukraine), and a long distance yet to our destination (just south of Kyiv) on day 2.
The GPS gave us a southern route, so with Ternopil on our route, we chose to pull in here to fill up with diesel and grab a bite to eat . We first heard it when we exited the van - the air raid siren. It went on for 1-2 minutes as I looked around to see how the “locals” were responding to the warning. They weren’t.
It might have well have been a loud car stereo or the jackhammer from a construction site - virtually nobody changed their behavior because of this (to me) very new and very alarming sound.
Victor was his name - in line at the gas station behind my friend Milan. And as Milan ordered some food, Victor took note of his accent and our speaking English, and came up to chat with us after he had paid. His English was excellent having lived in the UK for 20 years. Victor explained that he is a member of the Ukrainian army. He was on leave in Ternopil for a few days, having just come back from the front lines in the east, but he was still in uniform.. He, like many other Ukrainians, returned this year to help defend his country.
When asked why nobody reacts to the air raid sirens, Victor explained that Ukrainian air defenses don’t necessarily know where a missile is headed when it is first launched. So most large cities are notified and use this warning until more data is issued. Many times the missiles are shot down. On this day, two missiles struck the area of Zaporizhzhia.
Because of bad roads, we chose to take a more northerly route back on day 3 - our longest day (22 hours). We heard air raid sirens along the way on this day too. And it wasn’t long after that we found out missiles had struck Vinnytsia. No words … no reason … senseless … heartbreaking and tragic.
Our Ukrainian team member (Nastiia) asked me if it felt like this country was at war. And despite the experience with the sirens, I said “no”. That I felt no fear … a strength … a resolve … and peace in Ukraine. She agreed. Nastiia is one of the millions who are just that.
Air raid sirens and missile strikes 70 miles south of our day 3 route. And yet we were all at peace, knowing God is good … and was surely watching over us.
Please remember Victor (and Nastiia’s family who work to distribute the aid we delivered) in your prayers. Ukrainian strong.