Things are getting worse in my neighborhood and more and more actions are taken in an attempt to stop this madness. NATO has activated the response force for the first time in history and this is huge. It is unprecedented, has never happened before in 70 something years, since NATO exists but it is needed.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the U.S., Canada and European allies have deployed “thousands of more troops to the eastern part of the alliance,” with more than 100 jets and 120 ships operating on high alert in more than 30 locations. The United States has already deployed or repositioned roughly 15,000 American troops to locations in Germany, Romania and Poland. source
So far Russian troupes are far from the NATO border on land, but it doesn't seem Russia wants to give up, so further preparations are needed, in case things get worse. At the time of writing, the latest news is there will be talks tomorrow around 3 or 4 pm at the Ukrainian - Belarus border, which is something, but don't expect much. People are skeptic.
The Situation In Romania
Refugees are coming through the checkpoints, according to official sources, there are 46,000 in total and a good part have already left Romania to go to other European countries, where they have family, relatives or friends. The rest are still in Romania, waiting for ... well, no one knows what to wait for as this mess won't be over soon. Around 40 Ukrainian citizens have applied for refugee status, the rest are either undecided, or hoping to go back or out of the country to another destination.
According to the latest measures, civilians are not allowed to host refugees anymore, authorities want to handle the operation themselves.
Unfortunately the line on the Ukrainian side is getting longer and longer, people are staying in line for more than 24 hours now. One of the Romanian reporters is trying to come back home and he's been in line for more than 2 days now. Shops, petrol stations close to the borders are empty and the little food that is left is rationed. Fuel is also rationed and only cash is accepted. Locals and volunteers from Romania are crossing the border to ring them water and food. Looks like the Romanian border control has the capacity to process around 2000 people per hour but only 500 are passing as the Ukrainian border control is slow.
Are You Ready To Leave In 10 Minutes?
Ever since this nightmare started, I can't stop thinking about what would I do, how would I cope with the situation. The answer is no one knows, till you are in that situation yourself.
Romania doesn't have a mandatory military service anymore, it was abolished in 2006, which means the last batch of men having military training are now 35 years old or so (I hope my math is correct). So all men between 35 and 60 would be called back to serve, plus the younger generation between 18 and 35 will be enlisted and trained for war.
In Ukraine civilians can also fight, as far as I know those willing are given firearms. Even for someone with military service completed is scary, let alone for civilians who have never held a firearm in their hands.
I had part of military shooting practice years ago, in pouring rain, with a high ranking officer shouting at us, giving orders when to get down, charge the rifle, aim and shoot, then recharge and do it again, all that as a teenager. There were guys almost sh*tting themselves out of fear, although it wasn't war. My rifle jammed, I had to notify the officer about it, without getting up as the others were still shooting, time was running out and I didn't know what to do as no one told me how to deal with a situation like this. That was only a drill but still stressful. It's not easy at all, trust me, let alone when you know the enemy you are fighting against is military or special forces.
The other choice you have is to leave and as it happened in Ukraine, people had a very short time to get out of their homes, with a backpack and many with two or three kids. You can't take the whole house with you as only one or max two bags you can carry, so what would you take with you?
The most obvious answer people give to this question is that there's peace, there's no need to leave,they are safe but is it? It is peace in most of the countries. It was peace four days ago in Ukraine as well and look where we are now.
How about in case of an emergency, an earthquake, flood or fire. Would you be able to pack in 10 minutes? Would you know what to take with you?
We tend to take everything for granted, then when things happen, we have no idea what to do.
Hey @erikah, I live in Poland and, like you, I am very stressed about what is happening with my neighbors - in Ukraine. In my lifetime, there has never been an armed conflict near my country before. World War II seemed to have provided people with enough suffering ... and here are such terrible events. It is similar in Poland today - very long queues at the border, many arriving Ukrainians.
May the war in Ukraine end as soon as possible and may we never have to pack a backpack with our belongings in 10 minutes due to a dangerous political situation 🕊️☮️✌️
If you live in Poland, then you must see the refugees flooding every country, those that can obviously.
There are no words to describe the situation and what is worse, I don't think it's going to end soon. Fortunately neighboring countries are welcoming refugees, but how many there are still stuck in Ukraine.
Amen to that.
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Of all I just hope everything return back to normality in due time and honestly it is not all about be prepared right now,it Is all about putting an end to a circumstances that is making humans to start killing each other
Agree to disagree. Putting an end to it depends on others, while being prepared depends on me, so all I can do is be prepared.
I hope everything goes well. Is there any way us Hivers can do something to help?
I'm not in danger, but there are Hiveans in Ukraine, you can support zirochka, priyanarc and blind-spot, as they are in the war zone. Thanks for offering though, very nice of you. This community is amazing.
Well said. Friends of mine start with a van of supplies this week. Not sure if they make it as gas is getting short in Poland too. But better trying. I follow prianarc on Twitter now. It's easier access for her than Hive right now. She needs every support possible.
Good luck to your friends, I hope they will make it and fingers crossed for the others.
It is serious, very much like it is not getting better soon. Nobody knows what will happen next, but we should be prepared. You are right, we took for granted so many things. This is the worst nightmare for Europe and I don't think any country is safe. I wish I am wrong.
Here, in Bulgaria we accept refugees from Ukraine and many people offer free accommodation. Basic supplies are collected to support them, jobs are offered.
Every one can help, but how to make the fear and uncertainty to disappear?
You can't. Imagine those women and kids have left their family home, dads, grandparents, sons. They have left with a suitcase and have no idea what they are going to do.
It's terrible 😞
Thank you for caring 🤗
It’s good you have prepared yourself for an emergency situation… But I really hope for you it won’t be necessary! I feel for you
Thank you, I really appreciate it. I hope so too because if they touch the NATO border, that will mean the third world war, all hell will break lose.
It's a very good question and honestly earlier this week it has crossed my mind, what if? What if our country decides to interfere and Russia starts attacking here too, I mean like you said, several days ago the people in Ukraine didn't have the situation they have now either. So yeah I've thought about it but I haven't made an emergency list yet. I will do so next week though, as it's a good thing to be prepared in uncertain times.
The emergency list is always a good thing even if you don't need it. Better do it and not use it then regret not doing it. Better safe than sorry, right?
Yeah I agree. And while I'm already making tons of lists for our upcoming move ahead, which may be sooner than later if we're lucky, I might as well take care of this one too!
I have a grab bag with extra clothing and camping/emergency supplies, and a few smaller bags/containers I'll grab if I need them.
I recommend vinyl bags and maybe a plastic container or two. It keeps stuff like cash and passports dry.
Cash is the biggest one. It's surprising what people will trade for money when there is a 4 hour line up at the bank and card payment networks are down.
You are right and as I see you know exactly what to do, which is good.
Yes, cash will be a problem.
I never paid much attention to survivalists until seeing something like this. Even though I'm in Brazil, far from any treat, I feel like inflation is gonna hit us hard and those not prepared will be caught with the pants down. I need more preparation, like selling shit (car, useless stuff, etc).
Stay safe out there.
I've never thought it could be war in Europe and here we are! There's a real war in the neighboring country.
We keep saying we're safe as we're not in danger but can you trust a criminal that has already given order for the nuclear weapons to be prepared?
Selling useless stuff is always good by the way.
Abso-fucking-lutely not.
Please, take care.
I will, thanks.