Donetsk... My native, proud and unbroken city. I live and work not in the center of the city, but in the very working area, where Yuzovka came from, right under the DMZ.
Two days ago, I wanted to proudly write that everything works in Donetsk: shops, from small ones to supermarkets, markets, museums, theaters, libraries, hospitals, the Botanical Garden, sports schools, ice arenas, music schools. That the factory horn - the symbol of Donetsk - is alive and at the appointed time signals the beginning or end of the shift.
Two days ago, I was sure that everyone who stayed in Donetsk and live here is tired of being afraid, hoping and waiting, so ordinary people just live, raise children and enjoy every new day, the approach of spring.
Two days ago, we were so happy with the whole school going out from a distance, meeting each other, our lessons, buns from the canteen, noise at recess. It seemed to me that during these few weeks at a distance my beloved ninth graders grew up and matured, that they are ready to continue preparing for the GIA, learn poems, participate in various competitions and olympiads. We congratulated our talented headman, who managed to participate in the next competition of readers, and applauded when he, embarrassed, accepted gifts from St. Petersburg. That was just two days ago!
Today, everything has changed: the city froze in anticipation of a new round of shelling, which, in general, did not stop during the entire eight years of the war. The educational process is again suspended, this time "until further notice", and we will again correspond on social networks and wait for a meeting, to believe that we will remain alive. A mass evacuation of the civilian population has been announced in the Republic due to the deteriorating situation every hour, everyone is leaving for the territory of the Russian Federation. All our friendly "cool" family is still in their hometown and is not going to leave it - we are constantly in touch!
Today I can say that not everything works in the city. Shops, yes, are open, Donetsk residents probably buy a little more than two days ago, but there is no panic or hysteria. The streets are not empty: cars are driving, people are rushing about their business, but ... the parking lot near Shcherbakov Park, usually filled with cars, was empty today, you can’t see children walking in the yards, and there are queues in pharmacies and gas stations.
The tension is very felt and grows every day. Everyone is tired of the war, of deaths, of separation from relatives, of the inability to go somewhere, to rest. Most of all, I feel sorry for my mother, who turned 85 in January, because her childhood passed in the fascist occupation and old age fell on the war, and also for my students, many of whom have not seen the train or plane with their own eyes, who do not go anywhere and rejoice the most insignificant, at first glance, gifts.
I sleep very uneasily, listening to every loud sound outside the window: to the noise of the factory, and to the clang of machinery going through the tram tracks, and to distant, not at all peaceful sounds.
And our city lives and breathes... So a couple of swans returned to Kalmius - this is a very good sign!
bbabo.Net