The Daily Catch

Our Ukrainian Correspondent Narrowly Misses Death as Kramatorsk Missiles Strike Right Near His Dacha



Editor’s Note: As Ukraine has launched three drone attacks inside Russia in recent days, Vladimir Putin’s forces continue to strike myriad targets inside Ukraine in an attempt to take out the power grid at the start of winter, according to published reports. On Tuesday, four Russian attacks hit right near the second home, or dacha, of our Ukrainian correspondent, Pavel Kulyuk, badly damaging a local school. This building was intended to be a new so-called “point of invincibility,” set up by the Ukraine government to offer shelter and power to area residents. Kulyuk’s chilling report of his narrow escape follows.


Cleanup begins inside School No. 13 in Malatoranovka after three missiles hit the building and neighborhood around it. Pavel Kuljuk’s small dacha is on the same street (screenshot from YouTube video published by Donetsk Regional State Administration).

Two days ago, I suddenly felt that I was going to die soon. It was a feeling of slight regret about life. I told Svetlana about my premonition the day before yesterday, on Monday. She was silent. She didn’t know what to say.

Yesterday, everything was as usual. I planned to go to see Dora, the cat, and Bimka, her kitten. It’s cold outside, minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). Usually, when I come to Malotaranovka, I warm myself in the house. But, yesterday I didn’t. I quickly washed the bowls for Dora and gave her food. I washed the floors and then decided quickly to go back home. Something told me to move quickly.

I was focused and tried to move fast. Still, an inner voice told me: “Go faster.” I pedaled the bike as if I wanted to run from someone. I rode past the school. I overtook a family. A little girl was leading a dog on a leash. The girl was 6 or 7 years old. The dog was wrapped in a coat, a pet shivering cold from the frigid temperatures. The girl’s mom and dad walked beside her.

The first two missiles in the Dec. 6 strike on School 13 hit the school itself, local officials reported (screenshot from YouTube video).

The family walked past the school. I cycled off the street onto an asphalt road. Soon, I was already at the village of Pchelkino. I began to climb up Karamyshev Street.

Suddenly, there was an explosion from behind. Then another. These were powerful explosions. I turned around. Smoke was rising from School No. 13. The school is about half a mile from my dacha, It is on the same street, Perepelitsa Street, as my house. The school is at No. 39. My dacha is at No. 88. Then, there was a third explosion.

People began to run out of their houses to see what happened. I decided not to return. I have a schedule, I told myself. On the way back to Ivanovka, where I live, I planned to chop wood. Therefore, there was no time to go to see what had happened. And I only had three hours of daylight left.

Homes near the Dec. 6 blasts sustained damage, as reported by the Donetsk Regional State Administration (screenshot from YouTube video).

I brought a bag of firewood home when it was already dark. Frightened Svetlana met me in the yard. She thought that, for certain, I was dead. Mobile connections did not work because there was no electricity. Svetlana could not get through to me. Everyone was worried. Svetlana wanted to get the car out of the garage and come looking for me. But I managed to get back. I comforted Svetlana and told her not to worry, that everything is fine.

Today, I learned the facts. Two rockets hit the schoolyard. Doors and windows were broken at the school. The school outdoor gymnasium area was destroyed. Thank God, no one was killed. There are no students in the school. No educational activities are taking place. Teaching is taking place remotely. And, because it’s so cold outside, no one was at the school stadium. The third rocket exploded “in the gardens,” official reports said.

(You can watch this YouTube video of the aftermath of the explosions, published by the Donetsk Regional State Administration.

I will return to Malotaranovka today, to see how my home made out. I tell myself everything is in the hands of God. I’m glad that I have strong nerves, that I didn’t panic, and didn’t change my plans. By sticking with the plan to cut wood, I avoided being right under the missiles. I avoided certain death.

This is the main rule in war: don’t panic and don’t fuss. But trust your instincts. Explosions don’t change my plans. This is how I live in the war. I am still alive, one day at a time.

Yours as this war drags on and on,

Pavel

8 responses to “Our Ukrainian Correspondent Narrowly Misses Death as Kramatorsk Missiles Strike Right Near His Dacha”

  1. John Ferguson says:

    Too close for comfort! How are Dora and Bimka? So much for the “point of invincibility.” Plans seem to have been leaked, somehow. The accuracy of the destruction is unnerving.

    • Pavlo Kuliuk says:

      John Ferguson Hello. Yes, you are right “point of invincibility” destroyed. The point did not even have time to help someone. The message that the school has a “point of invincibility” was published a couple of weeks ago on social networks. In the city, these points have not yet been destroyed. Their addresses are also known. Perhaps the blow to Malotaranovka was caused by the fact that there are a lot of military men in the village. In any case, people do not really trust these points. This is more of a PR move by the authorities than practical assistance. People are afraid of these points because they understand that they will fire at them. Also, people do not like to communicate with the authorities. Especially men. Many men do not want to serve in the army.

      Bimka and Dora are alive and well. I saw them today. For some reason they stopped eating raw fish. This fish is called Salaka. The price is 1.5 dollars per kg. They used to eat fish very well. But now they do not eat for unknown reasons. Instead of fish, cats began to eat sour cream. 400 gr. sour cream costs 1.3 dollars. But raw meat cats eat as always well. Raw meat is the only thing they always eat 🙂

  2. Jean Golden says:

    Oh, Pavel. So grateful you listened to that “still, small voice” within you, and your life was saved.

    • Pavlo Kuliuk says:

      Jean Golden, yes. You’re right. Every time I’m saved, I mourn life. And life stays with me. This has already happened several times this year. But if God decides that I should leave, I will accept the will of God. All the will of God. God bless you Jean Golden.

  3. Jean Golden says:

    A poem by my favorite poet, which made me think of you, Pavel…

    Don’t Hesitate
    BY MARY OLIVER

    If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
    don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
    of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
    to be. We are not wise, and not very often
    kind. And much can never be redeemed.
    Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
    is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
    something happens better than all the riches
    or power in the world. It could be anything,
    but very likely you notice it in the instant
    when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case.
    Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
    of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

  4. Trish W says:

    So thankful that you are all right 🙏, that you listened to your instincts. I hope Dora, Bimka, & your dacha are all right too.

    • Pavlo Kuliuk says:

      Trish W, thank you very much for your support and kind words. Yes, this time death and destruction passed by. I wish you a peaceful and pleasant weekend.

  5. Joseph Rogers says:

    “If you’re going through hell keep going” -Winston Churchill . Debbie and I think of you and Svetlana often and wish you peace and happiness.

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