Natalia’s escape from Kiev: “I told my daughter that there is no danger”

«We left Thursday at four in the morning: we took the money and the documents. Now we find ourselves hidden in the countryside, outside the capital ». In that huge snake of cars leaving Kiev there were also Natalia and his family. An endless journey, ten hours to cover a few tens of kilometers. All with the same anguish, disguised so as not to frighten the children.

“On Thursday, after the first bombings, my mother called us saying there was no more time to waste. The war was breaking out and the Russians were invading Ukraine ”. Natalia’s family has a dacha in the countryside. “We took a few things, especially money and documents, and with my husband, my parents and my 7-year-old daughter we fled the city ». For two days the sound of bombs over their heads: it is difficult to explain to children what is happening.

“Let’s try to keep our nerve: I told my daughter that we are going to the countryside to be more relaxed, but that there is no danger.” Natalia and her family feel almost privileged. “We have a dacha where we can take refuge, many of our friends don’t. And they were crammed into the bunkersall together, with constant anguish and bombs overhead ».

During the voyage the skies were crossed by Soviet military aviation planes. “We hear the explosions from here too, but for the moment the situation seems calm to us, perhaps suspended.” Natalia, despite the fatigue of an unpredictable situation, she thanks her for having a place heated with running water and some food. Something not taken for granted today in the Ukrainian capital.

Thirty-two years, a love for Italy born during exchanges with the “second Italian family” in Abruzzo. So Natalia began to tell the Italians about Kiev by revealing the secrets of an ancient capital of great beauty as a tour guide. “Today our city is in danger. The population does not want war, does not look for wrong or reasons but believes that civilians should not yet be victims. I wonder what will happen, the news is that the Russians will soon have taken Kiev. We pray that this does not happen ».

Finally, Natalia explains how all Ukrainians are hanging on social media waiting for the government to make a new speech to the nation. «Our President Volodymyr Zelenskii is not leaving. We are a resilient people, he is giving us great strength and enormous courage. I believe our most powerful weapon now is pride. But we don’t know if it will be enough ».

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Source: Vanity Fair

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