November 27th, 2022

map of Ukraine

Hello all,

We departed Kharkiv yesterday and headed back toward Kyiv. I heard through the grapevine that ParaCrew, the organization I worked with the second time I was here was folding up shop and disbanding. Mainly due to a lack of funding. They are liquidating their assets and offered to sell me ( at a very discounted and reasonable price) the old Nissan van they have. I have some good memories of that vehicle, including leaving the oil pan on a road near Chernihiv. So we diverted off the main highway onto a typical Ukrainian side “road” to the town of Pryluky. I was able to say hello to some of my old teammates and take possession of the van.

It needs a few small repairs, a new headlight and winter tires, otherwise, it is perfect for what I need. The plan is to use it while I am here and then lend it to my teammates at ForceX Canada who can use it for aid deliveries, evacuations and logistics runs until I return. But having my own vehicle here is a game changer.

We arrived back to the apartment and took care of some administrative items by flashlight as there was once again no power. In the Kyiv region we have about six hours of power and water a day on average. But it is sporadic. My friend Mia who lives in the northern area of Kyiv has had neither for three days. One thing you realize is how much we take the basics for granted. Many of the other regions go days without any utilities.

Currently we are planning on making an aid run to Lyman and Siversk in the Kharkiv and Donetsk area. These are recently liberated villages in great need. Logistics are being worked out. More to follow. It has been snowing here for hours.