I'll tell you about experience I have during this two weeks of this war.

I'll start from begging. I was born in 2000 in city of Gorlivka, and lived there till 2014, after "first" war my family of mom, aunt, cousin, grandma and grandpa escaped to Mariupol. I finished school there and went to university in Kharkiv. I live there alone. Dad lives in Kyiv, parents are divorced because dad couldn't control himself drunk, and cheated on my mom, but he's a good guy, except his alcohol addiction, he always supported me, I went to him when I could, but story is not about that.

  1. February 24. Kharkiv. I woke up hearing explosions. I understood immidiatelly what that meant to be without any news. Went to my neighbors, they took some things and we went to the village 50km to south of Kharkiv to their relatives. 2 cars, 8 people - 3 women, 3 men, 2 child. After week we heard artillery in town 20km to us in Balacliya (Балаклія). Men decided to go for a ride to the border with Poland. That was something.. Hours of junctions near every city, or even village, sleeping in one room on the floor of friends flat, one night at kindergarten in child bed (I'm 190cm guy lol), etc. We spent 4 days in road. I knew that its hard to pass border as a man, but I have asthma, how can I serve military if I need to breath 5 min after 200m run? So I thought I would pass border. I didn't try, one of us tried, he also have health problems with documents, but he was returned back, so there's no chance.

Now I'll tell you about this refuge movement. If you're child, elder, or woman, volunteers will help with everything you need - train to Western Ukraine or to Poland, place to stay, food, toothbrush, water, phone charger, like anything you need. If you're a man the answer is simple - why are you here, go defend your country!! It would sound valid, yes we have war, but it's public information that army don't need manpower without any military experience, it has 100% manpower, and territorial defence has up to 200%. So even if I would like to do something, like to help volunteers for food, water, and warm place to spend night - I can't, no way. We are not welcomed to stay long in Western Ukraine, for day-two yes, but it just not enough place for all, and imagine half of the 40 mln country is moving to 5 regions, it's like a situation with boat or plane where they would choose to save children and women of any age, but not a men..

So we're returning back to east, to Dnipro first I think, then I will try to go to village in Kharkiv region where my grandma sister and her family lives near Lozova city. Right now we managed to rent a room at village hotel in Ternopil region for very cheap price $10 for room in village were not bad even for peaceful times, and its super cool for now. So that's it.

I'll also tell some stories we know from media and people. Some women who are refugees in Poland, Moldova, Romania are comparing about place they get. Imagine that, they are comparing that it is not like a resort, like they don't have jacuzzi, or toilet is outdoors. I think most of this complaining women didn't see real war, they are from Western Ukraine where everything is quiet and safe and they just using this possibility stealing it from people who really needs just safe warm place without sound of artillery shells.

As I wrote at start, my family is in Mariupol. You can find photos or videos of what happening there right now. No electricity, no heat, to water to drink, no phone network. For 4 days I don't know how they are, but there no phone connection. I don't care about this border, I don't care about those women that get life possibilities from Western countries, free home, food, free university education, probably even well-paid jobs. I don't care men who didn't fight will have no free mental or any support or even will ashamed after all. I care only about my family that I don't have contact with.

I share this just you to know what one person living through. My situation is not critical at all, as you know thousands already lost their lives, so I it would be not moral to complain about myself, so I'm not making any conclusions, it's only mine experience.

If you hear from refugees how they struggle, ask city they come from, if it's West - ask why the f they're doing in your place, if it's Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Kherson, or anywhere near, help this people, they have real struggle but don't give them too much attention as I said they escaping from the war to the safe place, not to the resort.

If you have any questions, ask, I will answer if have possibility. Just don't blame anyone, ok? It's hard time for everyone and hard times show who people around you are and who you are, I'm glad I stick with my neighbors, they are great people for me. But of cause If I see in media headlines "women struggle most because of war", I would be angry, because you cannot make this conclusion in general, some struggle very much, like those moms who lost their sons, or husbands, or live under artillery with children. Children suffer most of them of cause, I know.

Sorry for poor language, I usually post Reddit from my laptop with some help of translator to prevent mistakes, but now I post from my phone without any spell or rule check. Peace to everyone. Sun will shine for us all someday, or how we say in Ukraine, "we will have holiday at our street" (you say at this case, every dog has its day)