Dennis is Ukrainian, living in Kharkiv. He is married, has a young son who recently had his ninth birthday, and a dog named Lissy.
He started an outdoor Facebook group several years ago. Members can share photos and outdoor experiences from all around the world.
Dennis shares his archaeological digs. He also shares experiences from his job of detecting and removing dangerous explosives from the Ukrainian countryside.
On Feb. 23, 2022, Dennis and his wife and son’s lives drastically changed. In a split second, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia began. They are now stuck in the middle of Kharkiv, trying to survive bombings and artillery fire in the basement of their three-story apartment building.
“We were brothers but after the revolution in 2014 we are traitors to them,” he said, referring to the Russians. “I’m a former airborne but don’t wanna participate because I am Ukrainian by passport and Russian by blood. Brother against brother.”
He has lost his job of 18 years. His employer has fled the country.
Every morning he posts in the outdoor group. They are still alive. They made it through another night.
The Facebook outdoor group members quickly raised funds and sent them to his travel Visa card. He was able to stock up on food and supplies. The shops have little, if any, food.
Dennis uses funds to help his neighbors with food when it is available. He stands in line for at least three hours in freezing temperatures. Once inside the store, the shelves are practically empty.
“Airstrike near me, like an earthquake. Six bombs’ of 1200 pounds. The whole area is covered in suffocating smoke from burned black rubber, TNT, gunpowder, plastic, and rubber,” Dennis said.
The family scrambles to make building repairs after several nearby bombings occur. Many shattered windows need sealing up to keep the harsh winter cold out. They prepared meals out of the little remaining food. They will waste nothing.
He and his wife take shifts to keep watch over their son, the dog Lissy, and a domestic rat he rescued from the streets. He found the rat abandoned in a cage with no water or food. Dennis is kind and helps everyone in his path, both human and animal.
“I cannot take Lissy outside because the ground is covered with dangerous shrapnel now. Some days there is dangerous shooting, and you don’t know which side of the army is shooting,” he said.
On March 31, Dennis was able to get his wife and son out of Ukraine and over 800 miles into Poland to safety. Men ages 18 – 60 years old cannot leave the country. He had to stay behind.
“My wife and I communicate every day, all the conversations end in tears, she cries, I do not. I have to be strong. War is the time of the strong. I am here now, and I know we will meet again,” he said.
Dennis is resourceful and will continue to help his community as he can. He loves his country and does not want to leave, but there may not be anything left when they finish bombing his beautiful country.
To join the Facebook outdoors group and follow updates on Dennis, go to Outdoors Around the World.
Diane Sikora
Reporter/Social Media Coordinator