Oleksandr From Mariupol

I arrived in Warsaw, Poland today. Before being granted permission to enter, I stood in line to show my Covid-19 vaccination document. Next to me, I noticed a man carrying a Ukrainian passport. He looked anxioius and tired from travel and as if he wanted to speak. I asked if he was Ukrainian and if so, could we speak Russian? He told me he was, agreed and immediately showed me pictures of bombed and burning Mariupol and told me his story. 

Oleksandr is married to a Russian woman from Rostov and they live in Mariupol, Ukraine with their 18-year old asthmatic son. Oleksandr is a seaman and has been away from home for months. Since March 1st, he has been unable to reach his family on the telephone and has been at sea on his ship. He told me several times that he does not know if they are alive or dead.

Finally a couple of days ago, he jumped ship in Brazil and flew to Warsaw. From Poland, Oleksandr will make his way to try to find his family as best as he can. Warsaw is a long distance from Mariupol and there are many hazards, with soldiers between and a Russian encirclement if he reaches the city. 

He told me that he knows from other contacts that the city is out of food and water is hard to get. I was not clear where, but he said there are outdoor water sources. Oleksandr says that Russian soldiers wait to shoot and kill civilians when they try to retrieve it. He has heard there are now thousands of dead civilians in Mariupol. 

Oleksandr doesn't know if his apartment building still stands, if his family is alive, or even how he will find them. He doesn't know if his son has an inhaler or where to get them in his ruined city. He has only a general idea how he will reach Mariupol. Another worry for him is that some Ukrainians have been evacuated, but the Russians have taken them to Russia. No one seems to know where they are or under what conditions. All Oleksandr knows is that he will do anything, including face death, to find his family. 

I offered a ride to the train station and we exchanged information. I didn't know what to say- all I could manage was a weak "good luck to you" in Russian and that I would do what I could to help, which really is nothing. He promised to stay in touch and send photos.