About how from the first days of the large-scale Russian invasion on February 24, new fortifications began to appear, told Anabella Morina is a member of "Vechirnyi Kyiv" and the founder of the public movement "Pochayna".
According to her, the initiative to build protective structures started as a volunteer project, but soon the team was involved with the support of local authorities and private entrepreneurs.
The team of founders of the volunteer movement: Ihor Raykov, Kostyantyn Bogatov, Vitaly Zhadobin and Anabella Morina. Photo: Evening Kyiv
"From the very first day of the war, we started helping our Obolon Teroboron. I remember how, on the second day, Kostyantyn Bogatov, a deputy of the Kyiv City Council, and I brought in food and water for soil defense, and when we returned, we saw that the boys were digging trenches with shovels. At that time, I wrote a sharp post on Facebook about the need for equipment, because Kyiv is a city where there are dozens of construction companies with a huge fleet of construction equipment," says Anabella Morina.
A number of construction companies immediately responded to her publication and agreed to provide their assistance.
Construction equipment, which ensured the quick arrangement of protective structures. Photo: Evening Kyiv
Activists decided to set up roadblocks with concrete blocks, which were left on the bank of the Pochaina River after hydrotechnical works to free the channel. At first, the activists took part of the structures to Shevchenko Square, where they built one of the first roadblocks.
Construction trays from the Pochaina River, which served as fortifications for the Oboloni checkpoints. Photo: Evening Kyiv
When the manipulator with the blocks was driving along Vyshhorodska Street, the defenders saw him and asked him to provide the same fortifications.
"On the streets, fortifications were made of tires and pallets. Compared to them, the concrete tray was more reliable. Thus, the former concrete bottom of Pochayna served to fortify Obolon and part of Podol.
Then our team began to remove the blocks, a pool of equipment from builders was formed, which was provided free of charge on the first call: these are cranes, excavators, manipulators, and specialists who operated this equipment. We always had 2-3 manipulators, 2-3 excavators, KAMAZ and a crane. We worked all days from morning till night. Even on those days when there was a curfew. We had a special pass, so we went everywhere. We were then called the "crazy brigade" in front of our eyes," Annabella recalls.
In this way, roadblocks were created in the capital. Photo: Evening Kyiv
In the first days of the war, the team acted quickly, because the situation demanded it - an attack on the city was expected from the northern direction. They learned about the construction of fortifications from books and YouTube, and also cooperated with military engineers from TRO and the Armed Forces
"We used concrete blocks, wood, and sand for construction. Concrete blocks were found somewhere on unfinished construction sites or at manufacturers, wood - in forestry, and sand - this good in abundance in Obolon. Kostyantyn Bogatov connected the shellmen. Every day, about sixty men filled sacks, loaded them onto KAMAZ trucks, and transported them to positions. As a result, all roadblocks on Obolon were strengthened," Morina explained.
Volunteers in the process of working on the creation of fortification structures. Photo: Evening Kyiv
In addition to the Obolon district, activists also helped set up roadblocks in others. According to Anabella Morina, the work turned out to be effective thanks to the Obolon RDA, as well as the Obolon KP SHEU, Zelenbud and Blagoustra, who provided specialists and equipment.
In a short period of time, volunteers created more than a hundred protective structures - dugouts, roadblocks, trenches and snakes. Thus, Obolon was ready for the most stressful moment.
Manipulator machine operator Andriy Prykhodko, who participated in the volunteer movement, and Anabella Morina. Photo: Evening Kyiv
Currently, the territory around the Obolon reservoirs, from which concrete structures were used for fortifications, have been restored.
"Once in the yard of the Obolon green building, I saw neat new benches, I asked about them, and Maria Oleksiivna (the manager) said that they were bought for the Jordan Lake, and the trees were prepared. What a trouble this war is..." - says Anabella Morina.
Tulips are currently blooming on Lake Jordan. Photo: Evening Kyiv
Then the activists decided that the matter should be brought to an end and benches should be installed on the lake. The idea was agreed with the local authorities and a discussion was held.
"There was our "crazy brigade", there was Kyryll Fesyk, residents of the surrounding houses. People were happy to clean up, plant trees, and set up benches. Then we also planted a viburnum near the water on the lake. In times of war, people must have reasons to be happy. This is the best answer to the enemy. In this way, we demonstrate that we do not give up," explained the volunteer.
This is what the Pochayna River looks like now. Photo: Evening Kyiv
So far, no money has been allocated for further work on the arrangement of the parks at Jordan Lake and Pochayny. However, activists are finding ways to continue the initiative. In particular, they are working together with the KP UZN of the Obolon district, as well as involving international partners in order to receive some materials for free.
Anabella Morina believes that the section of the park with the consecrated structure "Khreshchalna Kupel" will be finished by July 28.
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