A fuga à guerra de Eugene Katchalov

O ex-Team PokerStars Pro e actual #1 da All-Time Money List da Ucrânia, Eugene Katchalov estava em Kiev nas primeiras horas da invasão russa e documentou no Twitter o início da guerra na Europa. Nestas publicações, Katchalov tem estado a tentar sair do país pela via terrestre, a única possível após os bombardeamentos russos aos aeroportos mais ucranianos, sem precisar de fugir ao recrutamento local pois tem cidadania norte-americana. Para além do impacto na vida imediata de muitos, a guerra na Europa já provocou alterações no calendário de torneios ao vivo.

Hey guys, I’m in Kiev, #Ukraine. Woke up to the sound of a distant explosion and decided to leave the city with my wife.Gathering in a small village with some friends to decide on next steps.

Anyone know how to get in touch with the US embassy to advice on suggested next steps?

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 24, 2022

Após contacto com embaixadas dos EUA e Polónia, vizinho a oeste da Ucrânia, Katchalov fez-se à estrada no meio do pânico local devido as enormes desenvolvimentos na guerra do leste do país.

Crazy traffic everywhere, gas stations have massive lines, ATMs as well with locals trying to withdraw cash.

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 24, 2022

Seems like it may be better to stay put as there may not be enough gas to make it to the border and traffic may be extraordinary with current panic.

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 24, 2022

O plano de ficar uns dias num pequeno hotel afastado da confusão foi de curta duração e a lista de prós e contras foi estudada:

There are risks to both staying and going and we haven’t decided yet. No clear option.
Staying - invasion may worsen, roads may get destroyed, internet may disappear (waze/gmaps) etc
Going - bandits, traffic, no gas and getting stuck in the middle of the highway#Ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 24, 2022

E a decisão tomada:

Likely will head out toward one of the borders early in the morning on 2 SUV’s. Will leave my car here. From what we understand, it’s not safe to drive at night.
Expecting to be stuck in massive traffic and hoping there will be gas to fill up along the way. #Ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 24, 2022

Plano traçado ao final da tarde do dia 24 e o objectivo de conseguir uma noite de sono melhor do que a última foi complicado de atingir:

Just heard a few really powerful explosions. Was quite far but still unnerving. Likely somewhere near Kiev. #Ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 24, 2022

Duas horas antes do planeado, a viagem com bússola apontada ao Oeste começou:

Just woke up. Kiev is apparently being bombed. About to start driving West. #Ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Encontrar gasolina só foi possível após passar muitos postos de abastecimento encerrados e ultrapassar pontos-de-controlo:

Blocks on the road with UA soldiers with kalashnikovs. Checking papers… keep going for now.

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Finally found a working gas station after about 8 closed ones. Trying to keep it as close to full as possible. Have an extra canister and if run out of gas will all move to one car and leave all the luggage and cars behind. #ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Mantendo a distância máxima possível a grandes centros urbanos, a fuga até à fronteira consumiu Eugene de tal forma que este tomou nota do seu estado mental e físico.

Not hungry, not thirsty and not tired even with all this driving. Amazing how your body naturally produces Cortezol and keeps you focused on the sole mission - Get to the border… #Ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Every update is about some new city or territory being bombed behind or parallel to us. Feels like we’re driving and there’s a great fire right behind us. ?? #Ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Este próximo post e principalmente as suas imagens provocam calafrios:

Here it is … pic.twitter.com/sjjj4w1C2x

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Cerca de 20 minutos separam os dois posts abaixo, com o alívio e esperança do primeiro a contrastar com a antecipação do terror do segundo:

❤️?? just beautiful #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/cHdyLIdaFW

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Heard rumors of marauders/bandits somewhere along the way dressed up as cops taking people’s cash. We’ve now split it up between all of us and in a bunch of dif places ?? #Ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Ao início da tarde de dia 25, Katchalov está no que espera ser o último controlo antes da saída da Ucrânia.

I assume some of those with just men left their wives/kids at the border as they’d be allowed to cross over. #Ukraine

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022

Após muitas horas de espera na fronteira, a entrada na Hungria foi assegurada após ponto-de-controlo de segurança:

Just went through security. Now in customs ?? #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/nIbbLKvHBC

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022

Hello Hungary ?? pic.twitter.com/mOl8MsxGGb

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022

Katchalov, família e companhia conseguiram fugir à invasão russa da Ucrânia e esta história fecha com os agradecimentos de Katchalov e ainda o início de muita vontade de ajudar:

In the end, we didn’t encounter any bandits/marauders and in fact, all of the security we met in dif block posts on our way here were super friendly and inquiring about the situation in Kharkiv and Kyiv. Seems like everyone just came together in genuine support ??

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022

It was in Ukrainian so my wife drew a zoomed in and zoomed out version below. https://t.co/HQ59d2gkM2 pic.twitter.com/zUAqf4NHPn

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022

GG Eugene & CO, com este artigo a fechar com este link, para o artigo que este escreveu sobre a sua aventura.