I’m not trying to hijack your thread. But I posted this back on 3/8. This seems to be the primary focus and discussion in my circle of prepping circle.
Last night (3/7) was our monthly prepping zoom call with preppers from all around the country participating. This group consists of about 300 preppers ranging from complete novices to grizzled veterans. Of course the subject of Ukraine/Russia conflict was the main point of discussion. The first speaker is a well-established prepper in the group who has family ties back to Ukraine. His report was sobering. He has family in various parts of Ukraine that he has managed to stay in touch with you during this almost 2 week crisis. It is his take that people that are in the cities are in deep trouble. The Russians have indiscriminately shelled probably 100 urban areas ranging from smaller towns up to the Capitol itself. I was aware of that but I was not prepared to hear his assessment of how bad the damages are. Many of these towns and cities have been basically leveled. Destroying the preps of many people in situ. If anything is recoverable it will take time and energy in a lot of effort. He then went on to comment that the countryside is full of refugees trying to get across the border anywhere that is safe. They have swamped and overwhelmed the country areas in large parts of the country. Very little aid is making it past the border into Ukraine at this time. Many of these refugees have nothing except for the clothes on their back.
That’s not hijacking the thread.
That kind of information is VERY useful.
I see the US in a slightly different light however.
Most city dwellers will perish rather quickly out in the wild. They have no idea how to even dress appropriately for the weather and either exposure, dehydration, or vermin will get them.
I suspect, but cannot prove, that Ukrainians are not as soft, spoiled, and entitled as Americans are and are more ready for hardship and more likely to survive.