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The Basement Diaries 29

[b]Kyiv - 21 January 2023 [/b]

On leave but busy. Much to do over weekend, before joining my training courses.

A patchy day, bouts of hectic activity interspersed with frustrating times waiting for others (not necessarily the others) to sort themselves out.

As I am going to be away from my apartment - away from Kyiv for much of the time - I have rented a secure storage unit for stuff that would not go into the bank. Books and papers, my desktop and printer, Papa's CDs and my hi-fi system, clothes, my Converse collection, some items of what I believe is known as "sentimental value", though I am not at all sure what that actually means.

I got Serhii to help me bring the stuff down from my apartment and load the car. At the other end, he did most of the lifting and carrying, while I sorted out the paperwork with the manager of the storage unit. I paid for a year's rental in advance.

I would normally have worn civilian clothes to do this but I thought the sight of an officer's uniform, and my personal sidearm, might encourage the guy to treat my property with respect while I am away. No, I don't entirely trust him, but there was not much choice at short notice.

I took Serhii for lunch afterwards, gave him one set of keys for the unit, told him he can change over the CDs when he wants, as long as they are all available to me when I return. If...

It won't do any harm to have someone going to the unit regularly.

This afternoon, I had a couple of guys come to board up the windows in my apartment, disconnect the electricity supply and shut off the water. It won't help if a missile strikes the building but it should reduce the damage from a near miss. Anyway, it makes me feel better.

While I had the car out, I did some shopping. A few things I want to take with me, but also stuff for the basement. Then stowed it safely in the parking garage, remembering to get the guy there to disconnect the battery leads. Rental there is paid monthly from a company account, so I don't need to worry about that.

Walking back to the basement, I phoned and spoke to Papa, Mama, just to say hello, goodbye. They are both well, though getting more frustrated at the isolation and lack of activity. Depending on the strategic situation, I think they might move back to the house near L'viv in the spring.

Now, early evening in my cell. I have packed what I need to take on Monday. My transport is arranged. I will be collected from the pick up point 06:00 that morning. And the fun will begin.

There is an atmosphere of anger and despondency here at the outcome of Ramstein. It is as if our allies have decided for us, that we will end this war by conceding territory to Russia. So what will have been the point of fighting it? If we concede territory now, we know that Russia will be back for more in two years time, and will continue until we cease to exist. Greater Russia will extend to the borders of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova. To the borders of Nato and the EU. Who will fight your war for you then?

And if Germany will not approve of Poland sending us Leopard IIs, will it approve our joining Nato? We should die laughing at the suggestion. But too many of us, children, women, old men, as well as soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, will die crushed and bleeding, for this to be funny. We are not ungrateful, but the western allies know our needs are beyond what they have done so far. And if they do not meet those needs, everything they have done so far will have been wasted.

Did I say at the beginning that these diaries would not be about the war? What a fool I was! How naive! What else could they be about?

Anyway, I have a party to go to. I will write more later. Or tomorrow.


[b]22 January 2023 03:15[/b]

That was fun... I suppose. But I am too tired to write about it now. Tomorrow, later today, will be soon enough...

I must post this.
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sarabee199526-30, F
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