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Lviv lives its life. Some go to work, some to the market. Slow-running trams and their cheerful bells resemble the measured life of the pre-war period. However, war is everywhere – in paramilitary patrols on the streets, in nervous conversations in trams, in alarm sirens, and, finally, in the air.
The centre of urban history has now also been reformatted. I used to love drinking coffee and smoking a pipe in the centre courtyard under elegant plane trees at white tables. Now, refugees are hosted here and the entrance is locked.
I call art historian Bohdan Shumylovych who works there. In the big hall on the floor, there are mats and sleeping bags. Shumylovych says that now the Center is at war as well as the whole country because it would be meaningless in this time to simply write scientific articles.
«It would be absurd if I just wrote articles now, we all do what we can. We write letters to the front and to foreign partners, submit petitions, coordinate people. My colleagues and I made a shelter in the centre. Our people are constantly changing. On average, there are about 50 people left in the Center. Among the refugees were three international soldiers who will go to war. One arrived from Australia and two others from the UK. They flew to Poland by plane and from there, they were brought to Lviv by volunteers. All of them, without prior agreement, found themselves in the Center for Urban History. We thought they were tourists. And they say that they came to fight,» – says Bohdan Shumylovych.
Volunteers must register with Lviv Regional State Administration, then they will be taken to the training ground in Yavoriv, where they will be trained with the Ukrainian military.
James is a tall young man dressed in dark camouflage with a balaclava on his face and a British chevron on his jacket. He flew to Poland from Liverpool, Great Britain. The Beatles were also from Liverpool, and we’ve immediately found a common ground in this topic.
James says he is here to keep the Russian military from capturing our cities and families.
«We are all here for one reason – not to allow Russia to seize cities and families. I have no relatives in Ukraine, they are all in the UK. I have a child and I am sure that if Russia invaded Great Britain and we needed help, many countries would help us. Everyone was shocked by the first news of the war. This should not have happened in Ukraine. I decided to go to Ukraine almost immediately. All my friends were against me leaving, but in the end, everyone made their own decisions,» – says James.
Steven from Glasgow is not tall, just over 160 centimetres, a soldier with a Scottish chevron in military uniform. He is 19. He speaks English with a specific accent, like the Transcarpathian dialect compared to the Ukrainian language. I can hardly understand him, and the soldier does not hide this specific accent and jokes that it would be worthwhile for him to improve his English. Steven has been living in the Croatian capital of Zagreb for a long time and flew to Poland from there, used to work as a baker and had no combat experience. He came here alone, without any friends. Steven says he saw footage of the war in the news and realized he had to come to Ukraine now.
«I feel I have to be here now. If no one joins Ukraine, we will not win. I believe that any small movement in the river will create inertia that will reach the sea. So any small help is a big help. In Croatia, I saw with my own eyes a huge number of Ukrainians fleeing from Russian troops. Ukrainians have really suffered a lot. It’s depressing and sad to see. They do not receive any support, they just left their homes and all their property. That’s why we feel obligated to come and help,» – says Steven.
Loyalty to Europeans who want to fight for Ukraine and economic aid are important elements of Ukrainian support, Steven claims.
«Even economic help is still help. And although NATO countries are not currently entering the Russian-Ukrainian war directly, it is important that they are loyal to their citizens who travel to Ukraine. NATO is now in a position where the Alliance cannot join the war in Ukraine directly. They can only support Ukraine. That’s why we’re here. If NATO had not been involved at all, we would not be here. However, I am absolutely convinced that the war will spread to Europe. When it reaches NATO, world war will break out. Therefore, everyone must be prepared for the worst. If a NATO country intervenes, it will be the biggest war in history,» – Steven said.
The third volunteer is an Australian. He asks not to take pictures of him and refuses to give his name. However, I assure him that if he has crossed the ocean to join the Armed Forces, it will be important to talk to me.
A volunteer came from the Australian province of Victoria. This is the metropolitan area where the capital is located – Canberra and the largest cities – Sydney and Melbourne. He says he decided to volunteer because he wants to stop Russian aggression now that it has not reached other European countries.
«Several months ago, relations between China and Australia worsened. Then, I enlisted in the army. I was a cook, but I also have military experience. If China invaded, I believed that foreigners would help us. Now, it’s our turn. If Russian aggression continues to develop, it will be bad for all of us. Therefore, it is worth stopping them now, until it has grown,» – Australian volunteer says.
«Our people love Ukrainians, and the government allows us to go and fight legally. So Australians can come here or send money. If there are volunteers, they should help. I don’t think the UK can send troops here. This is difficult from a political point of view. It is possible that if Russia starts attacking Poland, then NATO may be involved. However, I am convinced that Ukraine should gain NATO membership in any case.» – he adds.
The Russians are cruel people who have demonstrated this many times in history, so it is the duty of the international community now to protect Ukraine, says the Australian.
«I love history and I know that historically Russians are cruel people. They were brutal in Chechnya and Yugoslavia. I am irritated by Serbia, Belarus and Chechnya, which support Russia. Even if they simply give military advice, it contributes to Russian aggression. I have heard that the Russian military that has invaded Ukraine is very angry and cruel. They kill innocent people. That’s why I feel it is the world’s duty to protect you,» – the volunteer summed up.
It will be recalled that the International Legion of Territorial Defense is currently being formed in Ukraine from foreigners who want to join the Armed Forces. The relevant decree was recently issued by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Thus, foreigners received the right to join the Armed Forces for military service under a contract on a voluntary basis, including in the ranks of territorial defence. Read our article about how to join the international legion.
Roman Tyshchenko-Lamansky, Vyacheslav Korbut, Iryna Stepanyak
Translated by Vitalii Holich
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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.
