Thread by @sumlenny

I have been to Bucha, Irpin and Borodyanka amid my latest trip to Kyiv last week. These towns suffered from Russian occupation, and unprecedented terror and destruction. Let me say some words about how we can help Ukrainians to hold through this winter. All photos mine. THREAD

1) First: a good news. The towns revive. Cafe “Bayraktar” serves food, the public library is open, the houses are being repaired (see the red bricks on the top level? They are new, repairing the damage done by the Russian bombs).

2) Still, the destruction is everywhere. The big markets are hit by bombs and shells (entry sign Novus for a huge market). The whole blocks are destroyed, in some houses several flats burnt.

3) What is essential? Roofs and windows. It will be minus degrees cold in Ukraine next weeks (under 32F), and rainy/snowy. Even when a house is not totally damaged by explosions, the water from the top will finish it. That is why they repair these parts first.

4) Still, money is limited. One can directly address city halls - not only in Kyiv region of course! In any damaged city! - most of them have extra entities like “(city name) reconstruction foundation”. Ask your city hall if they have a city cooperation program.

5) Energy generators can be helpful, but they will not solve the problem root. If Russians manage to split Ukrainian energy system into several isolated islands by cutting transmission lines, it will be a total collapse of energy supply no generators fleet can substitute.

6) So yes, you may send generators, but better lobby for air defense, long-range missiles and money for maintenance teams.

7) Overall: the reconstruction will be long and costly. It will include a lot of construction, de-mining, modernization. I heard some Western companies are already looking for storage facilities and logistic hubs. Good for them. For everyone it is a chance to be on the good side.

PS if you want to find some private initiatives from Ukraine (not only with the focus on recovery), I have a list here: