The idea of going to Ukraine is perhaps “indecent” at a time when the world remains suspended from what is happening in Gaza. But to undertake this kind of journey, programmed for weeks, has the main objective of meeting these Tunisians who preferred to stay in this country undermined by war rather than return to the fold.
Yes, Tunisians are still in Ukraine². They chose to stay there for several reasons specific to them. By going to “find” them in a country where war is in full swing, is a real challenge.
The journey begins from Paris, a city transit before going to Poland, a border country of Ukraine. Once in Poland, head to kyiv, to get to the heart of the matter. The first impressions are destabilizing or even contradictory with everything we can read here and there on war.
A kiosk in Bila Tserkva, a small city located 90km from kyiv | CP: Webdo
In kyiv, life seems normal after more than twenty months of fighting at the heart of a war that still shakes Ukraine. People go about their daily business. That it is far away when the images of a capital on alert parade through the world.
The optimism and pride of Kiéviens!
The inhabitants keep their legendary optimism by proudly showing the symbols of Ukrainian independence when they have the opportunity. The flag, the trident (here in our photo), the statue of independence, the sunflower and the I tréma are the great emblems of Ukraine.
The trident remains one of the most emblematic symbols of Ukraine. Its history dates back several centuries. Volodymyr the Great, one of the most revered personalities in the country, had it engraved on the currency at the time when kyiv was under his direction, from 980 to 1015.
The trident became the coat of arms of Ukraine for the first time during the 1917-1921 independence war. The country again included it in its coat of arms from 1991, when it voted for its independence.
kyiv proud of the inhabitants with the famous trident | CP: Webdo
At the beginning of August 2023, Ukraine replaced by this trident the Faucille and the Soviet hammer carved on the immense statue of the motherland in kyiv. The government also plans to rename the statue “Mother Ukraine”.
Russian attacks, expected!
Kiéviens know, however, that it is only an illusion and that Russia can knock at any time. Yesterday, Saturday, November 11, 2023, they fell into the atmosphere of the beginnings when the sirens suddenly resounded, after two months of calm.
Then, two strong explosions were heard, in the center of the Ukrainian capital, where we were present. Indeed, around 8:00 am, the inhabitants of kyiv were again seized by this concern which forced them to take shelter following the explosion of two Russian missiles destroyed near the airport by the Patriot air defense system, according to the testimonies collected on the spot.
If the sirens sounded late, it is because these two ballistic missiles have been sent mobile stations near the borders and cannot be detected only after the flash issued by the launch, as confirmed by experts consulted in kyiv.
The military administration of kyiv has also confirmed on Telegram. “That it was very likely that the enemy thus tests kyiv’s defense system.” Ukraine is expecting an upsurge in this winter attacks this winter, after the strikes of last winter, which had targeted the Ukrainian energy network, leaving thousands of people without heating or electricity for long periods.
“After a long break of 52 days, the enemy resumed his missile attacks on kyiv! Added the head of the kyiv military administration.
