Vlad Poianski used to enjoy a free life traveling the world. He received his income from the film and game industry. Now he is helping the elderly at the risk of his own life in eastern Ukraine.
TŠASIV JAR 32 years old Vlad Poiansky meanders in a van through small roads towards Časiv Jar. It is a small town just a few kilometers from Bahmut.
Explosions are constantly heard.
Poianski is not startled by small things. He has made numerous similar trips.
– My old life has been left behind. I don’t make sound worlds or sit at a computer. There are more important things now, he says.
Together with his colleague, Poianski is looking for a house on the edge of Chasiv Jar. A day earlier, the neighbors had ordered an evacuation by phone from the Vostok Sos volunteer organization for the neighbor’s disabled elderly.
This is how Poianski gets the orders. Every day, he drives to the frontline settlements to pick up disabled people.
At one point, you have to cross the railway line in Chasiv Yar. That same morning, a civilian dies in this same place from Russian gunfire.
– We are trying to stay alive. If we are dead, we cannot help anyone, Poianski sums up the operating principle.
“I love the elderly”
Everything is done as quickly and purposefully as possible. It improves security.
When the house is found, the neighbors bring the old man into the van immediately. After a couple of minutes, the journey continues. Poianski is constantly in contact with his neighbors about his activities.
Poianski evacuated a total of four elderly people on the same day. At the end of the day, he takes them to the train to the city of Dnipro.
That’s where his colleagues are. The elderly can either go to the organization’s accommodation or to a hospital.
– I love the elderly and helping people, Poianski laughs.
He doesn’t seem to be down, even though the old life and traveling around Asia has been left behind.
– I just hope for peace. For us Ukrainians, but also for all the other countries that have this crazy neighbor, Russia. Muscovites only cause problems.
Soldiers fighting on the front in Ukraine and volunteer workers on the civilian side are a cross-section of society.
Almost everyone is involved in one way or another.
In the past, traveling and enjoying life were the salt of Poianski’s life. In a way, he still dreams about it.
– I dreamed of a calmer and happier time. Of course, I also dreamed about Crimea. I would like to land in the sun near the sea, says Vlad and a wide smile spreads across his face.
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