September 25, 2023
By OFP
My fourth trip to wartime Ukraine brought me a mixed bag of insights about Ukraine in its epic fight against wickedness. There are many aspects that haven’t really changed from my previous three visits, except for a few, which I will elaborate on. I will also touch up on what has remained the same and which are worth to elaborate on.
In general, Kyiv Looks pretty much like it did the other times, with a population that still is a bit larger than what it was during peacetime. The Streets, stores, subways, and every aspect of public life are filled with people. I’ve also noticed more tourists than during the last three times that I was in the city, which was a good thing to see.
The stores are also still well-stocked. There are no shortages of anything. This includes not only the giant supermarkets with hundreds of thousands of items in stock, but also those many tiny Soviet-era magazins (small mom-and-pop-type of stores) peppered throughout the urban landscape. The building supply stores, too, are still well stocked. A small change that I did notice was the smaller supply of portable generators. There were many more being offered for sale back in December/January and in June.
Speaking of stores, even the car dealerships are open for business again. It was an odd sight one year ago, amid my first visit during this war, when the showrooms and car lots were completely empty of vehicles. No new cars were to be seen anywhere, and Kyiv has many car dealerships, and some quite big ones. Now, the showrooms and lots are full of new cars again, and offering the usual wide range of makes and models.
Another thing that I’ve noticed were an increase of military vehicles in the city. Most were pickups and SUVs of various makes and models. I even saw two British-licensed civilian pickups, standing together in the center of Kyiv, and, a British-licensed military pickup parked elsewhere, and another one from Latvia. I also saw a small military convoy on a major roadway made up of two tractor trailers with flatbeds. One was hauling two M-113s and the other truck had a wheeled military vehicle on the trailer.
Soldiers are also still a very common sight in the city. Sometimes they are alone and sometimes in groups. As a matter of fact, in sheer numbers, there were more military vehicles and soldiers to be seen this time around than at any other time that I’ve been to Kyiv.
There was one major air attack during my entire stay in the country, and it happened last week. Almost exactly at 06:00 in the morning, we were rudely awakened by a massively loud bang. A thunderclap is nothing by comparison. The explosion was soon followed by a few faint grumblings in the sky and then the typical staccato sound of automatic fire, perhaps from the Gepards, just audible in the far distance.
As we were ambling through the streets, parks, stores and subway stations, my eyes caught many more signs of patriotism than at any other time. Flags are on cars, either small ones in the window or as stickers, and on houses, too. One new and now common bumper sticker says, “Oko 3a Oko”, which means, an eye for an eye. Ukrainian flags, tee shirts and sweatshirts with Ukrainian flags and/or trizub printed on them boldly are a common sight, especially in the many small souvenir stores. Also, they offer a huge variety of military unit patches. I even saw a biker, riding his much too loud motorcycle through Podil with a much too big red and black flag that represents the “Chornozem” – the Ukrainian insurgent army.
Indeed, patriotism is strong in the city.
For me, the most important and interesting finding during this visit was the result of a small private poll that I conducted with people that I know in Kyiv. I kept the question and the possible answer simple; do you agree to surrender Ukrainian territory to mafia land in exchange for peace? Yes or no.
All the answers were no.
There were no exceptions and no hesitations to the answer.
Although I never expected to be given any explanations for why they say no, a couple of them told me anyhow about why this is not possible. All of us already know the reasons; mafia land will never honor any agreement, they will recover from their losses and start another war at another date, and this would be unjust to those who fell for a free Ukraine. The only acceptable ending for this war for them is a total defeat of the fascist crime syndicate.
I will make something clear at this point. This private poll is not an official one, and the number of people involved was far too few – 22 – to be representative for the city or even for the country as a whole. The people that I questioned were mostly civilians, with one soldier and one SBU. They were men and women, and the ages ranged from the mid-twenties to the early seventies.
There are real polls with the same results, in which the vast majority refuse a territory for peace deal, thus, my little private poll is a substantiation to them.
The Ukrainian people are no fools, and they are quite aware what a longer war means … the many sacrifices that must be made, the increased number of dead, the destruction. But, despite all of this, they know that they simply have no other choice.
On the same note, there was one person who said yes. She just wants this horror to stop at any cost. After 20 months of war, it might seem the best choice. If mafia land wasn’t the evil, lying, backstabbing shithole that it is, many more people would think like that. But, mafia land is what it is, and its defeat is a prerequisite for a lasting peace that’s worth being called that.
My visit was much too short, but the next one is but a few months away, and I’m looking forward to it already.
Thank you for the insights. You never get the real perspective reading the media. Your poll was not a surprise. When I ask the diaspora in the states I get a similar reaction granted the diaspora isn’t as involved or suffering as our brothers and sisters are but I assure you the diaspora I know and met feel every fuckin bullet, blast, missile, death, etc.
СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ
Thanks for the interesting feedback, Sir Cap!
Surprised the car dealerships are open for business, not sure who can afford to buy new cars during a war.
I remember seeing a Lamborghini dealership in Kyiv, and was thinking, that’s asking for trouble on Ukrainian roads, even in the city.
Lamborghini in Kyiv??? That’s weird. I’ve never seen a Lamborghini on any street or road in Ukraine for as long as I’ve been going to the country. You are absolutely right. Any such car won’t be fun to drive in those conditions!
Anyway, there must be a demand for new cars, and I did actually see some new cars in the streets and even new motorcycles.
The dealership was in Ioanna Pavla II St, 4/6, Kyiv. It is now listed as temporarily closed.
I can imagine that potential buyers are thinking the same as us; how inappropriate such cars are in Ukraine and that’s why the dealership is closed, and not due to the war.
If I remember correctly, there was Porsche dealership just before you get to Boryspil. That highway going to Boryspil is probably the only road in Ukraine you could drive any supercar. 🙂
The one going to Zhytomyr is also a decent highway. But, it’s still not worth it, buying such expensive cars to drive just on two highways.
Or you could drive your SUV up and down Khreshchatyk at ‘I’m a cunt’ speeds all night showing everyone what a cunt you are, while Uncle Vanya still catches up to you at every stop light.
That may or may not have happened…….
There aren’t many streets in Kyiv I would want to drive any car with a low clearance, let alone a Lambo.
Unless it was one of their vehicles they are better known for, and they are probably fully employed towing moskali tanks.
Do they still make tractors?
https://www.lamborghini-tractors.com/en-eu/all
Zelensky will build a monument for the tatars. Islam will ruin Ukraine like Germany, France, Britain, Holland and Belgium. This guy is a trojan horse and i am glad i recognized it just in time. DEATH TO ISLAM!
Wonderful article Sir Facts! I read it twice back-to-back to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
One thing that struck me was your description of Ukrainians after already a long war. The Ukrainians that I know are probably the most mild-mannered people I’ve ever met. Even when my wife and I first got together she hardly even spoke bad about Putin. I think the worst thing she said about him was he’s an idiot.
Now all these mild-mannered friends now say things that shock even me. One of the dainties I know said, “They ALL must die!”
From “Idiot” to “they ALL must die”. I still have not found anyone to disagree with the “ALL” part. So be it….Oko 3a Oko…then off to the great Kobzan concert with them.
Thank you, Sir Red.
It’s no different for me, regarding the Ukrainians that I know. From youngsters to old people, females and males, it’s all the same; the hate for ruzzia and ruzzians runs too deep to fathom. If the entire shithole were to burn to the ground with everyone in it, the joy would be overwhelming.
If I remember right, you’re also a motorcycle enthusiast. That’s going way back to your old handle 🙂
New Harleys go for about $100,000 grand in Kyiv. You could ship the bike to Paris, drive to Kyiv and fly home with 50 grand in your pocket. What a nice job!
You have a good memory, Red. 😎 I thought about this before about 4 years ago, but the laws of the land makes this very difficult, at least for non-citizens.
I expected something like this facts and you did not disappoint. A vivid, moving and profoundly sad account of your visit. Especially the uncountable number of flags at the Maidan representing those who gave their lives to defend against the most vile savages that history has ever known.
Totalitarianism killed up to 120 million souls in the last century. Mao, Stalin and Hitler were the worst in terms of numbers, but many others had the same genocidal urges, such as Pol Pot. The common theme of all mass murderers is the cult of worship built around a supposedly infallible ruler. In Italy for example, women would queue up all day outside his official residence for the “privilege” of being fucked by Mussolini. He liked big girls with strong legs. If they met those requirements, his minions would usher them in.
Lavrenty Beria had the same predilections. Except in his case they had to be schoolgirls. His minions would be scouring the streets every day for suitable candidates.
The messiah complex is common amongst totalitarian rulers, in much the same way as religious cult leaders.
The alleged “comedian”, anti-Semite putler worshipper and Zel-hater Russell Brand is the latest example. Not quite enough women threw themselves at him, so his minions had to recruit more. When they did not succumb, he revealed himself to be a dead eyed monster. No surprise that he loves putler.
Putler’s revolting supporters and we are informed that they represent 70% of the entire population; (we will see about that eh?) will do anything for their tiny fuhrer. Even those who run away to avoid conscription still support the genocide of Ukrainians.
The core reason for RuZZian hatred of Ukrainians is that the retarded nazis that form his fan base simply cannot understand why Ukrainians don’t love putler and yearn to be serfs like them. There are lots of other reasons of course, including the pervasive, sinister and evil propaganda that is drilled into their brains.
But propaganda swallowers are the same as the subjects of hypnotists; you have to want to be hypnotized to “go under.”
Ukrainians are free people. They won’t “go under” and they won’t be slaves to evil.
The only question is how many more must die before RuZZia is stopped?
The recalcitrance of the liberal democracies in response to such evil is painful to observe.
With reference to your poll of citizens facts, I assure you the result would be the same if you spoke to a million. I recommend to all visitors to this site, the YouTube channel; Real Ukraine:-
Do Ordinary Ukrainians Want Peace Talks with Russia? Street Interviews:
What is striking is how nice, educated, brave and polite these people are when approached. An incredible contrast to the bloodthirsty scum encountered on a Moscow vox-pop.
Glory to Ukraine and a pox on the agents of Russia working so diligently inside America to cripple the aid budget.
Thank you so much for your detailed account, Sir Scradge. As usual, you’re spot on with your assessment. As I’ve said before, it baffles the mind how humanity keeps forgetting valuable lessons from the past. You’d figure that Hitler, Stalin, et al, would’ve been the last straw for all of us across this globe and that we would never allow such filth to emerge again. But, here we are, in the very same show again as 70ish years ago. To make things worse, we have only spineless creatures as leaders this time around. My faith in humanity is not very big, as you will gather from my words.