Local's Update: Letter from Ukraine

I left Lakebay May 14 to return to Ukraine for the fourth time to continue my volunteer work as an animal rescuer for K9 Rescue Ukraine.

Flying into Krakow, where a colleague was waiting, we made our way to Przemysl, Poland. There I picked up my vehicle, loaded supplies, and entered Ukraine May 18. Traveling through Lviv and Kyiv, I arrived at my safe house in Kharkiv May 20. Five days later the Russians launched a deadly missile attack targeting a large retail store in the north of the city.

This was no ordinary attack. It was meant to kill as many civilians as possible. The name of the store is Epicentr K. Not much different from the Home Depot and Lowes stores in America. Only larger. It was a nice spring day with people buying things for their gardening and home projects.

A UMPB D-30-SN glide bomb was launched from near the Russian city Belgorod, about 58 miles away. It hit the roof of the store at 4 p.m., killing 19 and wounding 54, including children and the elderly. This is the third Epicentr K store to be targeted in Ukraine and the deadliest attack on one so far.

Another large missile struck Kharkiv June 22, this time at a traffic intersection in front of the main bus terminal. People were in their vehicles stopped at a traffic light. At least three civilians were killed and 42 wounded. Shrapnel flew as far as half a mile away. I was at the bus terminal a few earlier waiting for a friend. As I was sitting in my vehicle I watched a mother bird fly down from the nest to feed a juvenile that had found its way to the ground. They are victims as well.

As frightening as it is, this is why I’m here. Russia has become a terrorist state waging war on ordinary people. People need food as well as their pets. People need evacuation as well as their pets. People are the victims as well as their pets.

I am a founding member of K9 Rescue Ukraine, a charitable foundation dedicated to helping the citizens and the animals of Ukraine. My community of Lakebay is a large reason I am able to continue these missions. Your support has provided food, fuel, and many other needed supplies. Thank you all for your care and support during this terrible time for the people and animals of Ukraine.

For more information, go to the K9 Rescue Ukraine Facebook page, or email me at k9rescueukraine@gmail.com.  

Tom Bates, Lakebay