As the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, Zarina Zabrisky, one of the only foreign correspondents in Kherson, shares her impressions of life in a war zone.
I have never been so close to what war feels like for those without a weapon in their hands. Yours is a staggering piece of literature that takes us there, Zarina. Thank you.
Amazing Zarina! A portrait of those living their lives as though the war everywhere around them is part of daily existence, not feared but an accepted fact. Death takes on a new, garden variety meaning, not something feared but accepted as part of everyday living, as incredibly sad as this is.
I am stunned by Ukrainians' fortitude, their lust for living against the backdrop of the meaningless destruction faced every day. I want to say how beautifully written is this piece but am at a loss to use such language to describe words that document such horrid carnage.
Noted is one reader's comment on the death of the helicopter pilot and incarceration of the journalist on trumped up charges, no less Navalny's passing. The war and these atrocities demonstrate why Putin the vainglorious madman must be taken out, not that his demise makes right the havoc he has wrought, rather a small offering of justice. The Russian people need to awaken to his madness and remove this blight on humanity. That or a James Bond-esque, Carlos the Jackal need be contracted to deal with him. His is the only death that actually makes sense. Maybe 45 can be added to the mix!
The sights and smells of death and destruction at the hands of madman, are so clearly captured in this piece Zarina!
It truly hurts my heart and soul to imagine the horror and pain that is going on in this world! Yet, some semblance of hope remains for those who live through such atrocities.
Stay safe and be well, and thanks for your amazingly well written words Zarina!!❤️
This beautiful essay shows Zarina's strength and grace as she shares her both/and of the war - horror and pain and goodness and grace. I am even more outraged at Speaker Mike Johnson. The Coward, Traitor, Trump Lackey, Cultist, White Supremacist, and Christo-Fascist scumbag.
I've read most everything by Ernie Pyle and Richard Tragaskis, war correspondents in WWII; Pyle in Europe and Tragaskis in both Europe and the Pacific, most famously Guadalcanal. It is always difficult for these correspondents to adjust to death, to how commonplace it becomes in contact and reference, and how life, however it is at the time, is revalued. If there is no real escape, whether by choice or circumstance, the acceptance of imminent death in configured in many unexpected ways, because life goes on. Zarina has shown us amazing details amid the red 'eyes' of a baleful drone carrying death itself right to her balcony. Chilling. And yet she is as eloquent and as belligerent as those red fishnet stockings. Amazing work. Thanks, Zarina.
Thank you once again, Zarina, for bringing this unjust war to us. Every one of your essays about the war is devastating. Please know that although our Congress, specifically Republicans in our Congress, would rather sweep Ukraine under the rug than deal with actually supporting an ally, as a moral imperative, if nothing else, the people here see you, remember you, and support you in every way we can. Be safe, Zarina.
Every person who wants to withhold money from Ukraine should be forced to read this or better yet go to Kherson and explain to the people there just why??
I was struck by the almost impossible-to-fathom contrast between the horrors of war and the simultaneous human need to cope by grasping for normalcy and even luxury.
P.S. Enjoyed seeing you, Greg, on The Weekend Show on MeidasTouch!
And such is war. Our beloved and dedicated soldiers see these situations all too often but it is the reporters who bring it to us, in real time. Greg, thank you for this latest from Zarina. She is an amazing storyteller and I want to wish her safety and good health.
Such beautiful writing on the mix between a veritable Hell on Earth & the consummation of lush foods from the cornucopia of Ukraine. Good advise on the red fishnets. You need them! I am counting my blessings today & continue to keep you in my thoughts as I continue to pray for the demise of Putin. Stay well.
Stunningly Sad.
It’s TUESDAY. No words.
I have never been so close to what war feels like for those without a weapon in their hands. Yours is a staggering piece of literature that takes us there, Zarina. Thank you.
Beautifully describes the hell.
Devastating!
Her amazing writing elicits strong visuals, a sense of being there and understanding.
Hard to read but everyone should.
Amazing Zarina! A portrait of those living their lives as though the war everywhere around them is part of daily existence, not feared but an accepted fact. Death takes on a new, garden variety meaning, not something feared but accepted as part of everyday living, as incredibly sad as this is.
I am stunned by Ukrainians' fortitude, their lust for living against the backdrop of the meaningless destruction faced every day. I want to say how beautifully written is this piece but am at a loss to use such language to describe words that document such horrid carnage.
Noted is one reader's comment on the death of the helicopter pilot and incarceration of the journalist on trumped up charges, no less Navalny's passing. The war and these atrocities demonstrate why Putin the vainglorious madman must be taken out, not that his demise makes right the havoc he has wrought, rather a small offering of justice. The Russian people need to awaken to his madness and remove this blight on humanity. That or a James Bond-esque, Carlos the Jackal need be contracted to deal with him. His is the only death that actually makes sense. Maybe 45 can be added to the mix!
45 has not a glimmer of humanity. He and Vlad are evil twins
The sights and smells of death and destruction at the hands of madman, are so clearly captured in this piece Zarina!
It truly hurts my heart and soul to imagine the horror and pain that is going on in this world! Yet, some semblance of hope remains for those who live through such atrocities.
Stay safe and be well, and thanks for your amazingly well written words Zarina!!❤️
This beautiful essay shows Zarina's strength and grace as she shares her both/and of the war - horror and pain and goodness and grace. I am even more outraged at Speaker Mike Johnson. The Coward, Traitor, Trump Lackey, Cultist, White Supremacist, and Christo-Fascist scumbag.
I've read most everything by Ernie Pyle and Richard Tragaskis, war correspondents in WWII; Pyle in Europe and Tragaskis in both Europe and the Pacific, most famously Guadalcanal. It is always difficult for these correspondents to adjust to death, to how commonplace it becomes in contact and reference, and how life, however it is at the time, is revalued. If there is no real escape, whether by choice or circumstance, the acceptance of imminent death in configured in many unexpected ways, because life goes on. Zarina has shown us amazing details amid the red 'eyes' of a baleful drone carrying death itself right to her balcony. Chilling. And yet she is as eloquent and as belligerent as those red fishnet stockings. Amazing work. Thanks, Zarina.
Thank you once again, Zarina, for bringing this unjust war to us. Every one of your essays about the war is devastating. Please know that although our Congress, specifically Republicans in our Congress, would rather sweep Ukraine under the rug than deal with actually supporting an ally, as a moral imperative, if nothing else, the people here see you, remember you, and support you in every way we can. Be safe, Zarina.
Every person who wants to withhold money from Ukraine should be forced to read this or better yet go to Kherson and explain to the people there just why??
I read this and wept.
I was struck by the almost impossible-to-fathom contrast between the horrors of war and the simultaneous human need to cope by grasping for normalcy and even luxury.
P.S. Enjoyed seeing you, Greg, on The Weekend Show on MeidasTouch!
Thanks for watching, Earl!
Thank you Earl Heflinger for mentioning The Weekend Show. I’d missed it!
And such is war. Our beloved and dedicated soldiers see these situations all too often but it is the reporters who bring it to us, in real time. Greg, thank you for this latest from Zarina. She is an amazing storyteller and I want to wish her safety and good health.
Such beautiful writing on the mix between a veritable Hell on Earth & the consummation of lush foods from the cornucopia of Ukraine. Good advise on the red fishnets. You need them! I am counting my blessings today & continue to keep you in my thoughts as I continue to pray for the demise of Putin. Stay well.