An account of the last international journalists to leave Mariupol, extracted by Ukranian soldiers.

[femmedem]

Names on a list: Fleeing Mariupol one checkpoint at a time
by Mystyslav Chernov

MARIUPOL, Ukraine (AP) — The Russians were hunting us down. They had a list of names, including ours, and they were closing in.

We had been documenting the siege of the Ukrainian city by Russian troops for more than two weeks and were the only international journalists left in the city. We were reporting inside the hospital when gunmen began stalking the corridors. Surgeons gave us white scrubs to wear as camouflage.

Suddenly at dawn, a dozen soldiers burst in: “Where are the journalists, for fuck’s sake?”

I looked at their armbands, blue for Ukraine, and tried to calculate the odds that they were Russians in disguise. I stepped forward to identify myself. “We’re here to get you out,” they said..."

More: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-edf7240a9d990e7e3e32f82ca351dede

TRIGGER WARNING: Some of the photos are graphic.

[dhol82]

1. Gut wrenching.

[NewHendoLib]

2. Putin is holding humanity hostage because of the risks

Nuclear war, chem or biologicals. Risk is leading to annihilation.

Dark moment for our species.

We've said "never again".

But if course it is "again"

[Lovie777]

3. People who strongly feel that it's their way or no way . ...

what can you expect. I grew up in a Christian household and still remain one, and was taught about love than neighbor, respect for other beliefs and GOD wanted us to all get along. The current GQP Christians believe in the opposite. Putin and his so call religion believes in the opposite as well. Wonder how so much hatred can be defeated.

Never again, but humans are so vicious, but humans can be quite loving towards others. Hopefully we can overcome the first part of this paragraph.

Dark Ages vs. Renaissance. That is where we are at this time.

[NewHendoLib]

4. exactly. I also grew up in a Christian household - sang in the choir, taught Sunday school,

ran the youth fellowship. I've now settled comfortably and confidently as an agnostic. Too many examples of my way or the high way organized religion, too much senseless killing.

So - for us, it is simple - treat others as one wishes to be treated - period. We now worship nature, by kayaking, hiking, gardening, and focus on the wonders of this gorgeous earth, while it is still here, or not totally melted, or polluted, or drowned, or burned up.