Nicolas Tonev edited by Wassila Belhacine
modified to
12:18 p.m., March 13, 2022
As the exodus of residents of kyiv continues in the face of the threat of an attack on the city by Russian troops, the candidates for departure rush to the station and the trains which are still rolling west because after two weeks of experience, the train seems the safest way to leave.
“The train is the safest”
Last reminder for train 86-25, direction kyiv-Lviv, just on time on track number 3. At 2:50 p.m., the convoy begins to roll but it is too late for Sergei: “nothing serious, we will take a next train where we will go elsewhere” he comments at the microphone of Europe 1.
Heavily loaded, Yvan and Violetta opt for the voice of reason and also choose the train: “by car, it’s very dangerous, you can get shot. As the airspace is closed and you can’t fly, the train is the safest” explains Yvan.
No need to provide change, the ticket is free: “People wait for the train and sit down. Whoever manages to get on, so much the better. Whoever doesn’t get on is waiting for the next one” explains Yvan.
Go home before the fresh flowers dry up
This will be the case of Liena late. The only thing she hadn’t planned: “There’s something to eat for the first few days, for us and for the cat. Clothes to change into, shoes for the trip too. That’s all , and the cat too, of course!” she explains.
In Liena’s mind, it’s a departure but not an exile: “we’re leaving for a week at the most. We said to ourselves that we had to go back before the fresh flowers we left at home dry. We have a goal.”
At platform number 10, a train also arrives just on time. Punctuality, as a last element of peace.