The Russian attack on Sunday was aimed at a military training area near Lviv (Lemberg). Several dozen people died. So far, the city was considered comparatively safe. Tens of thousands have fled here from the contested areas. Numerous media professionals also stay in Lviv, including Björn Blaschke from ARD.
SRF News: How did you experience the rocket attack on Sunday?
Björn Blaschke: I overslept it. I only woke up when there was an air alert early in the morning. But I haven’t heard from the rockets. I only found out later in the morning when we were about to leave. That was bad, of course, because it was said that more than 30 people were killed and more than 130 injured, some of them seriously. The mood in the city was tense, people nervous. But there was no panic. Everything was actually calm, just tense.
Do you fear further attacks?
Possibly more airstrikes, yes. Russia apparently wants to increase the pressure at the negotiating table. Whenever there are negotiations in a war, the military pressure is increased at the same time in order to get the other side to give in. But I don’t think they will advance here with ground troops. At least not anytime soon. A relatively large number of cities, such as Mariupol and Kyiv, are currently under siege. This binds troops and means they cannot advance.
Lviv was considered relatively safe. Is that safe feeling over?
I don’t think anyone here felt completely safe. Many have come here, but many have also said from the outset that they want to move on. I also heard voices saying that if this continues, then we will too. Then it’s too unsafe for us in the Ukraine. But so far I can only report that there is an unbelievable will to persevere in Lviv.
People said: We want to learn how to use a Kalashnikov in fifteen minutes – should it happen that Lviv is surrounded.
People are ready to fight. I too was on a Kalashnikov crash course. The participants said: We want to learn how to use a Kalashnikov in fifteen minutes so that we can defend ourselves should it happen that Lviv is surrounded.
Deliveries of weapons and aid are coming through the Lviv region. Are they now in danger in view of the impending air strikes?
I haven’t heard that people are reluctant to come here. This applies to non-governmental organizations as well as private individuals. I went to Ukraine myself with a young man who drives from Poland to Lviv once or twice a day to load his car with people and take them out of the country. And this man also says he will continue with it. That doesn’t stop him.
The attacked training ground is only 15 kilometers away from the EU and NATO country Poland. Can you feel the political component in Lviv?
In any case, one senses that NATO is not doing too much. There are repeated calls for a no-fly zone to be set up. NATO has repeatedly refused. The demand for heavier offensive weapons is also not being met. In this respect, one feels like a buffer between Russia and the EU. This leads to a certain desperation. But it also strengthens the fighting spirit. The people here say: we will fight, we just want to remain independent and free, even if we are on our own.
Isabelle Maissen conducted the interview.