October 21st, 2023

Hello All,

Once again I am not sure where to begin. First, a quick war status update. In Avdiivka the Russians continue to their massive counterattack by once again throwing untrained troops and vehicles at Ukrainian positions hoping to overwhelm the defense. Russian casualties are estimated in the thousands and equipment losses are over 200. Reports say that fighting is still foerce but Russia continues to be incapable of taking additional ground. In the south, the Ukrainian Marine Corps, and my buddy Maurice are confirmed to have crossed the Dnipro River and are attempting to establish a beachhead on the Russian-controlled “left bank.” If this action holds, it will be a significant change in the battlespace in favor of the Ukrainians. Missile and drone attacks have been focused on the city of Krivvy Rih, about four hours south of us. I remain surprised that we have yet to have a siren or attack. Kyiv is getting more back to normal and several tank barriers have been removed around the Maidan, and sandbags are no longer piled up around statues and moments.

Following our day with Anna at the orphanage, I posted two packages to the front. They contained medical gear I purchased and the knitted hats and scarfs that Gloria Brown and her group made for the soliders and citizens on the front in anticipation of the fast approaching winter. Mail in Ukraine is fascinating. We take our items to the Nova Poshta, (post office) loose or without packaging. You give them the address and phone of the recipient and your number. They take your stuff, give you a receipt and box, tape it and label it themselves. Two day delivery is almost guaranteed regardless of destination in Ukraine. NP turcks will dodge artillery to deliver their cargo.

Today the items have already been recieved by my friends in the east and they appreciate our efforts and your contributions. There is a significant problem with the quality of tourniquets here. Ukraine has been flooded with cheap $9 Chinese knockoffs from Aamazon or other “tactical medicine” companies. An actual American TQ is $31. Many posts and notices have been made by the Defense Ministry and medics. Well meaning people are unfortunately causing a lot of issues with these. In many cases it is difficult to tell the difference. The only trusted source for medical equipment from the US is North American Rescue. Ukraine has developed very good domestic TQ companies but NAR is the gold standard.

Anyway, we then met up with my friends Olena and Olga. I have known them since the start of the war. Last year I was able to help them procure encrypted radios for Olgas boyfriend’s unit. In turn, Olena opens her flat to me and my friends and actually leaves while we are there and stays with her friends. The first time she did this she had never even met me in person.

We met at a local place we go to every time. Another friend, Sofia was supposed to be there but she has just reproduced a small human, so her husband Alex joined us instead. Alex is an artillery solider home on leave. He has been fighting in the east since 2014 and was very open about the injuries he has sustained and the fact that he has to regularly see a psychiatrist for his PTS issues. He was fun, jovial and had a great sense of humor. But under it, you could see fatigue and an intense sense of loss and sadness that is common with every soldier I know here.

We said our goodbyes and Sam and I headed for the вокзал, the train station, for the seven hour ride to Kyiv. We ordered a sleeper car for next to nothing. Essentially our train trips double as hostel or hotel stays.

Our first stop in Kyiv was at a school where my friend Sasha Avramenko works as an English teacher. She met us after the usual Uber fiasco and we entered her warm and bright classroom. It was full of kids of all ages seated on colorful beanbag chairs. The kids had prepared questions for Sam and we were very impressed by the depth of thought they put into them. She was asked how she deals with stage fright, how long she has been a musician, what is the hardest thing about performing.

Sam played for about an hour. The kids sang along, made requests, and were totally engaged. A couple of the kids were actually in awe of meeting a “real American” singer.

Later we had lunch with Sasha and she told us how important it was that we came all this way, how brave Sam was and how much they appreciate our work and our country.

We said our goodbyes and headed to meet “Little Tania” for tea and updates on the tiny school project and other ideas she has. The first of the schools has been delivered and fundraising for the next is underway. She and her brother are evaluating the process, mistakes and ways to streamline the next one as well as save money.

We also discussed an idea that I have been looking into to plant hemp in the flooded and contaminated fields in Kherson. This isn’t my idea. It came from one of our more colorful and eccentric contacts here, a British guy named Andy. Apparently hemp pulls toxins out of the soil as it grows, and its strength and durability as a fabric is well known for hundreds of years. Once the hemp is harvested, the fields can then produce food again and the hemp can be sold as well. I still need to research it more, but if anyone can make this work, it is Ukrainians. They remain the most resourceful people I know. Tania was very enthusiastic about this idea. Like the old saying goes, “she has more ideas than a Christmas goose.” And if it really works like Andy has pontificated, she will make it happen

More to follow

Mark and Sam