Evacuation bus from Kharkiv with the Red Cross signs on the windshield (UJRI_072_IK)
Inf.: I feel grateful to my organization [Sochnut] – I was able to leave only thanks to it <…> I took… this was the first bus that we organized, on March 3d [2022]. We started from the synagogue where we gathered people. I took 40 people in this bus.
Int.: Only Jews and their family members?
Inf.: Yes. We were not engaged in general evacuation, this was essential for us. <…> We went through Vinnytsia. And we made it. I’m making a deep bow to our drivers. The drivers we hired, they already knew this route, they were our long-standing partners, and they had professional acumen, and they were not afraid… I am really grateful to them. <…> And we hung a red cross painted by hand on the windshield – well, the people we were taking, were very fitting for this.
Int.: Were they elderly people?
Inf.: Yes, as I said, they were our “genetic fund.” You don’t leave genetic fund behind. <…> All lanes on the highway were opened in one direction only, and there was this long stream of cars that were just standing and waiting, while we were going around them… [When we made it to the destination point] it was like magic… it was mazal!
Int.: So, you were never bombed during your trip?
Inf.: No, no, we weren’t. (UJRI_072_IK)
[Evacuation from Kyiv]
Inf.: So, around March 3d of 4th, when we had just learned about Bucha, our bus was heading towards Odesa and then to Romania. But by mistake we took a road that we shouldn’t have taken, and found ourselves where we shouldn’t have come… I was completely shocked. In front of us we saw a bus, which had also been carrying refugees. It was shot at twice from a tank, and then the tank went over it when it was already standing still on the road.
Int.: A bus with people in it?
Inf.: Yes. Why do you think I have only dairy cuisine?... And then, as we approached a little grove, our driver came out and told our group: “Ok, leave only one phone on, turn off all other phones, I’ll drive alone, and let’s meet at a certain spot later on.”
Int.: So, he drove away, and you had to go on foot? Why so?
Inf.: Because if the bus is shot, nobody would be hurt except for the driver. For we’ve already seen that other bus. And I saw for the first time in my life how a man of around 50 years old, a Ukrainian, is getting behind the steering wheel and cries… Thank God, we met where we had agreed to meet. And we all nearly kissed him all over. (UJRI_046_NL)