I have no idea if this is really true but this says TikTok is taking a pause in Russia due to the new law that makes people liable for up to 15 years in prison for calling Putin’s war a war. t.me/realua1/6106 Meanwhile TikTok is a big part of the for profit info wars so 🤷♀️
Anyway let’s do an evening 🧵 TikTok thread — zucchini pancakes are a personal favorite and the secret behind soups is they feed your family for days
This vlogger is in Donetsk. He says his friend had a rocket fly into his building today so he isn’t sure if he should relocate to another town or make some tea and take the hookah and crawl into this hole
This one went completely viral for good reason someone please give this brilliant young woman a documentary film budget
Все будет хорошо I present the kindest most positive person on TikTok; she speaks in Ukrainian and has many many Russian speaking fans
ГЕНИАЛЬНО I’m sorry I don’t know how to translate basically everything is fucked but none of it is Putin’s fault ever only the evil west — supposed to be like one of those street interview things
This is so sad. Kharkiv. The shooting started they ran to the cellar which is packed with people, crying kids, elderly. They were not hurt but their apartment is ruined. Others were wounded.
You’ve seen this probably earlier but just in case it’s pretty next level totalitarian stuff and is happening in airports too ahead of international flights
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I am extremely tired of seven days a week “explaining” Austria, a country which is also not my homeland, to Ukrainians. The gist of it is: no one cares what your circumstances are and don’t expect any exceptions or special treatment. It’s a hard pill to swallow.
This has led to 48 hours of debates. I will blog about it soon. In the meantime, more end of school year drama (not giving Ukrainian kids passing grades), and a phone call tonight which knocked the wind out of me.
As many of you know, Mama Olya had a stroke in early April and has been in hospital in Vienna ever since. I have been visiting nearly daily. This takes a huge emotional toll. Respect to all those who work in medicine; I could never ever do it.
Ukrainian moms are desperately asking me if Austria ever plans to move them from Grundversorgung to Mindestsicherung. I tell them honestly, I don’t think so. They tell me it is impossible to survive. With a small kid can’t work. I say I know and I am sorry. Another country?
I cannot lie and tell them I expect any changes on the political level because I don’t. Federal and 9 states are already doing only the absolute bare minimum. I hear no discussions in media about improving Grundversorgung conditions or moving them out of it.
If any journalists would like to do a deep dive on the payments and handcuffs I know volunteers who know the numbers inside and out. It is complicated and very opaque, and differs by Bundesland. I tell the Ukrainians the following.
Just realized the last time I took a long distance bus I was a teenager. I feel wholly unprepared. I do not see the promised WC nor free wifi (eeek). Everyone seems to have done this before. The bus is completely full: women, kids, pensioners. Two drivers. €190 round trip 🧵
I found the toilet AND actually more importantly, the plug for the charger. Hallelujah! Did you all know Hofer is Aldi in Hungary? We just passed a huge distribution center. I am amazed by how quiet and considerate ALL the passengers are. Even the kids. It’s unbelievable.
I naively didn’t quite understand the bus actually makes all the stops. Budapest.
The infamous dorm in Vienna’s 11th district is closing for good. All residents must move out by this Friday night. A team of volunteers is organizing cars & people to help with the move: many residents are elderly and/or handicapped. They need volunteers & wheels. Pls DM.
I am so dumb. I naively assumed when @Stadt_Wien said all dorm residents would be assigned new housing in Wien by April 15, that would happen. Now I am hearing some residents will be sent TO THE ARRIVAL CENTER. Nightmare. Some may refuse to leave…could potentially get ugly.
This is an absolute shitshow. I should have known. It did not have to be like this if anyone cared. These are vulnerable Ukrainians who have been under extreme stress for months.
I asked the Ukrainians in my group about their success or lack thereof in finding legal paid work, and this was one of the replies. These energy bills are insane. They need guidance as renters…ugh.
A poll so far shows a mixed bag: some cannot work (caring for kids or handicapped relatives), some don’t look as working would render them homeless (social housing) and they cannot afford a deposit/rent, others no luck so far, still looking. Some want to finish A2 German first.
Some are working and no longer receiving benefits. One man in his 60s texts from the arrival center — he already has a job offer but no blue card bc no address bc no housing assignment yet. The labor market is not making the most of this opportunity. Bureaucracy is once again… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…