Побег из Украины в Россию. Предлагали работать в ТЦК. 7 дней выживания в лесу. Переплыл Тису.Румыния

My Journey from Ukraine to Russia: A Personal Account

Introduction and Background

• The speaker, Vlad, shares that he has kept silent for two years about his experiences due to the oppressive environment in his country.

• He plans to reveal how he escaped from Ukraine to Romania and then filtered into Russia over a week-long journey.

• Vlad introduces himself as being from Dnipro, Ukraine, and describes his rural upbringing surrounded by nature.

Early Life and Interests

• Vlad expresses a deep love for nature, which inspired him to create videos about it since 2018.

• He is a welder by profession but also has creative hobbies such as music composition and video editing.

• His transition from music production to video editing began around 2015, where he started working with popular YouTubers.

The Build-Up to Conflict

• In February 2022, before the conflict escalated, Vlad was working at a factory while filming videos of building a cabin in the woods during weekends.

• He recounts the physical challenges faced while constructing the cabin in harsh winter conditions.

Health Crisis Before War Outbreak

• After intense labor in cold weather, Vlad fell ill with high fever on February 21st due to exhaustion and exposure.

• Despite feeling unwell, he informed his supervisor about needing sick leave; this coincided with rising tensions in Ukraine.

Escalation of Events

• On February 24th, just days after falling ill, Ukraine closed its borders for men aged 18 to 55 amid escalating conflict.

• Vlad reflects on how misinformation regarding border closures circulated; he emphasizes that restrictions were already in place before official announcements.

Work Environment Changes

• By February 28th, upon receiving an unexpected call from HR asking when he'd return from sick leave due to staff shortages at work.

• The HR representative revealed that many workers had disappeared or were drafted into military service following the outbreak of war.

The Disappearance of Workers: A Personal Account

Initial Abduction of Workers

• Four armed individuals arrived at the factory, referred to as "the three letters," and took all the men for what was claimed to be a one-hour meeting.

• It later became clear that 55 men were deceived; they were not returned after an hour but sent to Donbas, where many faced dire circumstances.

Aftermath and Realization

• The speaker spent two weeks on sick leave, contemplating how to avoid being taken by the armed forces again, especially since only elderly workers remained at the factory.

• Upon returning from sick leave, he submitted his resignation due to safety concerns despite pressure from HR to stay.

Escalation of Abductions

• The speaker describes how military recruitment intensified in April, with abductions occurring openly in public transport and streets.

• He shares personal experiences of witnessing friends being abducted while he managed to avoid capture by consistently using his car instead of public transport.

Public Reaction and Fear

• There is a stark contrast between the perceived unity in Ukraine portrayed on television versus the reality where people ignore abductions out of fear.

• The phrase "my house is on the edge; I see nothing" reflects a common attitude among citizens who choose not to intervene during these incidents.

Job Offer and Ethical Dilemma

• A friend offered him a job driving a minibus for military purposes, which included checking documents and potentially delivering individuals with irregularities to military authorities for rewards.

• The speaker felt uneasy about this offer, equating it with modern-day slavery due to its exploitative nature.

Moral Stand Against Exploitation

• Despite being tempted by financial incentives (5,000 hryvnias per captured individual), he firmly rejected participating in such activities as morally wrong.

• He confronted his acquaintance about the legality of their actions, emphasizing that exploiting people for profit was unacceptable.

Reflections on Corruption and Escape from Ukraine

Encounter with a Recruiter

• The speaker describes an encounter with a cunning individual who previously transported conscripts, highlighting the manipulative nature of some people during wartime.

• Despite the recruiter's persistent questioning about his job, the speaker declines the offer to join, indicating a desire to avoid involvement in military recruitment.

Concerns About National Direction

• The speaker reflects on the troubling state of their country, expressing fears about its future amidst ongoing conflict and corruption.

• Observing friends excited by high salaries offered for military work leads to a realization that many are willing to compromise their morals for money.

The Reality of Military Recruitment

• The speaker notes aggressive tactics used by recruiters, including chasing down individuals to enlist them forcibly due to lucrative financial incentives.

• Initial payments for recruits were around 5,000 hryvnias but have escalated significantly over time, illustrating the growing desperation and corruption within military recruitment.

Decision to Leave Ukraine

• Concluding that leaving Ukraine is necessary for safety as conditions worsen; emphasizes urgency in escaping before situations deteriorate further.

• During his escape, he refrains from documenting his journey due to fear of being caught by authorities or border guards.

Observations on Corruption and Fear

• As lawlessness increases, fewer people are willing to fight; some manage to evade conscription through bribery while others face immediate deployment.

• Reflecting on personal acquaintances reveals that few considered leaving the country at this point despite escalating dangers.

Psychological Impact of War

• The speaker shares experiences fleeing from recruiters multiple times and highlights pervasive corruption where wealth can buy freedom from conscription.

• He articulates that war disproportionately affects those without financial means—those who cannot pay bribes must fight instead.

Isolation During Conflict

• A year spent indoors fearing capture led to minimal content creation; previous videos were recycled rather than new material reflecting current events.

• Personal relationships strained under political differences; significant others left for safer countries amid rising tensions in Ukraine.

Disturbing Recruitment Practices

• Witnessed multiple instances where men were taken by recruiters near schools, emphasizing the alarming reality faced by families during wartime.

Surviving in Isolation: A Personal Account

Life During the Conflict

• The speaker describes a period of isolation during 2022 and early 2023, where they stayed indoors due to safety concerns. Their neighbor, a 75-year-old woman, provided food during this time.

• The speaker expresses gratitude towards their neighbor for her support, noting that she had no family or relatives to help her.

• They left money and keys to their apartment with the neighbor, acknowledging the possibility of not returning home again.

Challenges of Daily Life

• To avoid danger, the speaker would only go grocery shopping at night after closing hours, relying on a friend who worked at the store for access.

• They recount experiences of being cautious while shopping due to threats from armed groups targeting civilians outside stores.

Mental Struggles and Planning Escape

• Prolonged isolation began affecting the speaker's mental health; they felt compelled to devise an escape plan as fears about future conditions grew.

• Despite discouragement from others around them, they believed there must be at least one way out of their situation.

Decision to Leave Ukraine

• Ultimately deciding to flee Ukraine alone after initial plans with two companions fell through—one succumbed to alcohol and another was too afraid.

• Many acquaintances were struggling emotionally under the circumstances; some turned to drinking as a coping mechanism while the speaker focused on planning their escape.

Escape Routes Considered

• The speaker detailed two potential escape routes: one involving payment (which was largely seen as fraudulent), and another through personal effort by navigating borders themselves.

• They opted for self-navigation via river routes into Romania, believing it offered a more viable chance than paid options fraught with risks like being caught by military recruiters.

Preparations for Journey

• With prior experience in rural areas surrounding forests, they felt confident about traversing natural landscapes despite concerns over border security measures like fences and surveillance systems.

• The fear of crossing heavily fortified borders was significant; thus, they prepared tools such as an electric cutter for potential obstacles along their route.

Travel Logistics

• The journey involved using an electric bicycle equipped with spare batteries for daytime travel while avoiding nighttime visibility due to heightened security measures.

Nighttime Operations and Survival Skills

Enhanced Security Measures

• The area is under heightened surveillance at night, with three times the usual security presence using thermal imaging technology.

• The speaker expresses confidence in navigating through forests, claiming better orientation skills in nature than in urban environments.

Journey from Ukraine

• The speaker recounts traveling from Dnipro to western Ukraine by train and then using an electric bicycle to reach a village called Eсень in the Transcarpathian region.

• Highlights the advantages of electric bicycles: they are silent, require less physical effort, and can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h.

Camping Techniques

• Upon reaching the forest near Eсень, the speaker sets up camp with a tent and sleeping bag, utilizing a thermal blanket for insulation against thermal imaging detection.

• Emphasizes that thermal cameras cannot detect heat signatures through foil blankets, which proved beneficial during his nighttime camping.

Encountering Challenges

• Despite being close to border guards (within 3 km), the speaker managed to remain undetected while observing their patrol patterns.

• Describes how he was surrounded by various sounds indicating military activity nearby, including gunfire and marching troops.

Strategic Planning

• Faced unexpected challenges due to open fields instead of anticipated forest cover; this altered his escape route plans significantly.

• Over three days, he meticulously recorded border guard movements to identify their routines and find optimal times for crossing.

Journey to Freedom

Preparing for the Escape

• The speaker lists essential items packed for the journey: passport, money, phone, an electric pruner, a liter and a half of water, and some food. Everything else deemed unnecessary was left behind in the forest as gifts.

• The speaker expresses no regret about leaving behind equipment like tents and electronics, emphasizing that life is more important than material possessions.

The Moment of Truth

• At 1:05 PM Kyiv time, the speaker experiences intense fear and stress as they prepare to leave the forest. They take a deep breath and begin running towards a nearby village.

• Upon reaching the village's edge, they notice an old wooden fence stretching along its perimeter. This detail adds to their sense of urgency as they run alongside it.

Approaching Danger

• The speaker spots a border fence in the distance with barbed wire on top. This sight heightens their anxiety about crossing into another territory.

• As they approach the border fence, they observe sparse trees providing some cover but also feel exposed due to open fields on one side.

A Surprising Discovery

• Upon reaching the border fence, the speaker sees an enormous birch tree fallen across it. This unexpected obstacle presents both a challenge and an opportunity for crossing.

• Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty at this moment, they freeze up with thoughts racing through their mind about potential traps set by border guards.

Overcoming Fear

• After several minutes of hesitation contemplating whether it's a trap or not, clarity strikes; it would be illogical for border guards to damage their own property intentionally.

• Regaining composure after slapping themselves awake from panic mode, they discard unnecessary weight (the electric pruner), climb over the fallen tree onto the other side of the fence quickly.

Navigating New Terrain

• Once over the fence, there’s relief in finding only one barrier instead of multiple ones as previously feared. However, confusion arises when no road appears beyond it—only paths leading away from it.

• Venturing further away from the border reveals dense underbrush that seems almost impenetrable but is navigable due to careful preparation with appropriate clothing and footwear.

Encountering Nature's Challenge

• While pushing through thick bushes toward what turns out to be Tisa River—a river less known at that time—the speaker reflects on its size compared to larger rivers like Dnipro while considering how best to cross it safely.

Journey Across Borders: A Personal Account

Encountering the River

• The narrator describes a narrowing river on the right side, indicating potential depth despite visible stones on the left.

• Initially perceiving shallow water, the narrator attempts to cross by climbing over stones but ends up waist-deep in water.

• Despite strong currents pushing him 20 meters off course, he successfully crosses and rests on the bank for 20 minutes.

Reflections on Freedom and Exhaustion

• After resting, he feels a sense of freedom that leads to relaxation and drowsiness due to exhaustion from seven days of travel.

• Upon reaching a road after a short walk, he discovers his location is in Romania, which brings him relief.

Searching for Help

• The narrator notes the stark contrast between Ukraine's environment—where one hides from people—and Romania's emptiness as he searches for assistance.

• Hearing machinery, he follows the sound and encounters a red tractor operated by a Romanian farmer named Adrian.

Interaction with Authorities

• The farmer partially understands him; they communicate in broken Ukrainian. Adrian takes him home before he visits Romanian police.

• At the police station, he explains his illegal border crossing and provides identification documents. He is then directed to refugee services.

Life After Crossing into Romania

• After staying briefly at a refugee center, he moves into a hotel for 15 days before traveling through Hungary to Slovakia and Poland.

• He shares an experience at Sheremetyevo airport where only he was allowed entry among many Ukrainians due to not engaging in political discussions.

Reasons for Returning to Russia

• The narrator reflects on cultural differences between Europe and Russia, emphasizing kindness and familial ties as reasons for his return.

• Settling in Krasnodar for two years now, he's found work initially unofficially at Ozon warehouse before securing official employment.

Current Life and Hobbies

• He discusses working long hours while pursuing video creation as a hobby during his free time amidst nature without fear of persecution.

• His newfound freedom allows him to explore nature freely—a stark contrast from previous restrictions faced in Ukraine during turbulent times.

Reflections on Life Choices and Cultural Identity

The Impact of Alcohol and Lifestyle Choices

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of sobriety, sharing personal experiences about friends in Ukraine who succumbed to alcohol, leading to their untimely deaths.

• He reflects on how many of his friends did not leave Ukraine due to their lifestyle choices, suggesting that these decisions had dire consequences.

Personal Journey and Cultural Insights

• The speaker recounts his realization about the shared identity between Ukrainians and Russians, countering media narratives that promote division.

• He criticizes propaganda from Ukrainian media that portrays differences between the two groups, asserting that they are fundamentally similar.

Survival and Connection to Nature

• A pivotal moment in the speaker's life was building a cabin in the woods; he believes this act saved him from a fate similar to his colleagues who remained in Ukraine during turbulent times.

• He expresses newfound appreciation for nature and freedom after leaving what he describes as a "prison" in Ukraine.

Encouragement for Open Communication

• The speaker encourages people, especially Ukrainians, to share their thoughts openly despite current restrictions on free speech within Ukraine.

• He invites comments regarding others' experiences with leaving or attempting to leave Ukraine, fostering a sense of community among those facing similar challenges.