14 Feb: The Situation in Ukraine – American Perspective

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The café Fatsetka («dudette») in Lviv

The café Fatsetka («dudette») in Lviv

By Joe Lindsley, American editor of Lviv Now

For most immediate updates, please follow Joe Lindsley’s personal Telegram Channel, Ukrainian Freedom News.

Two curious things being observed earlier today: first, near eastern Ukraine:

– Russian tanks reportedly moving, not on trailers, but on their own, near Belgorod, which is the Russian city closest to Kharkiv (when I was in Kharkiv last week, taxi drivers at the train station offered rides to this city).

This could be notable because tanks are usually transported by trucks to protect the roads, experts say–unless it’s an emergency or they are ready for action or engaged in some active drill. 

The second thing, in Belarus, a few hundred kilometers north of Kyiv:

– A Russian military camp near the Belarusian city of Rechytsa, almost due north of Kyiv, has been «emptied» and that equipment is seen moving west, according to some respected watchers of the satellite situation and long-time Ukraine observers. How far west is not yet known.

We must mention any such info could always be psy-ops. But we share here to give as much perspective as possible.

Today Lviv Now reported on the increased traffic of private flights out of Ukraine. It seems several high-profile, super-wealthy pro-Russian members of parliament and others are leaving. You can read the story here

In Kyiv, there have been rallies in Kyiv of citizens proclaiming they are proud to be Ukrainian, waving the blue-and-yellow flag of their country as well as the red-and-black banner which is sort of «we’re ready to fight» battle flag of Ukrainians. Some Belarusian flags–the red and white banner of tradition, not the green and red flag of the Minsk regime–were also visible. 

Germany’s chancellor met in Kyiv with President Zelenskiy today. The German said his country stands «close by» Ukraine but details were unclear. 

I hear from people in Kharkiv, on the other side of the country, 20 miles from Russia: Some are planning to come to Kyiv this week, not to evacuate their city but to participate in the rallies for their country. IT people in Kharkiv, facing questions from American clients, are considering temporarily coming to Lviv. 

Like most Mondays, Lviv is fairly quiet today but with some added energy for St. Valentine’s Day: some places normally closed on Mondays are open. 

Finishing a run this afternoon, I passed the café Fatsetka (which means something like «cool girl» or «dudette,» across from its brother cafe Fatset («dude»). One of three Scottish friends, who proudly called themselves British and who have been in Lviv the past week was there, having a drink and saying goodbye to the owner. 

He was sad: It was his first time in Ukraine, he said he loved the people and the spirit and he just didn’t see why anyone would want to attack or hurt such a «lovely» place. 

Today I briefly attended two birthday parties, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon, both with wine; one with traditional poppyseed cheesecake, the other with pizza. The spirit was upbeat, optimistic, humorous, which is in keeping with the tone I have encountered here during these past two years.

During my run, I stopped at the outdoor gym in a park next to the medieval Gunpowder Tower. Today was unusually balmy, some 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and people were playing basketball, kids were on the playground, teenagers were at the skatepark, others old and young were doing pullups, many were strolling the adjacent promenade, and high up in the distance I saw many people taking photos of the city’s spires in the twilight from the observation deck at the hillside memorial to the «Heavenly Hundred,» those who died in the 2014 Revolution of Dignity at the hands of the now-disbanded secret police, the Berkut. 

And despite the headlines, the city’s life continues. You can find the live music schedule here

Here’s a video from last night at Mad bar house in Lviv’s historic centre:

Joe Lindsley, an American journalist (follow on Instagram or LinkedIn), is editor of Lviv Now

Follow Lviv Now on Facebook and Instagram. To receive our weekly email digest of stories, please follow us on Substack.

Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.


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