Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, people are desperately fleeing the country. The story of a man’s 20-hour journey on foot from Lviv in Ukraine to Poland has melted hearts online. The man, Manny Marotta of Pittsburgh, shared his experience in a lengthy Twitter thread Ukraine Conflict Live 2022, describing the plight of the toddlers as well as scenes of Ukrainian soldiers asking the men to fight.
“Long story short: I just walked to Poland. It was a hellish journey of 20 hours undertaken in the middle of winter with thousands of refugees. I saw terrible things,” tweeted Ukraine Conflict Live 2022.
Long story short: I just walked to Poland.
It was a hellish journey of 20 hours undertaken in the middle of winter with thousands of refugees. I saw horrible things:
— Ukrainian Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022
The Twitter handle shared photographs of a long stretch of stranded vehicles. “Vehicles were backed up for 25 kilometres, many out of gas. Several were abandoned as their occupants fled west on foot as fast as they could,” the tweet read.
The vehicles were backed up 25 kilometres, many running out of gas. Several were left behind as their occupants fled west on foot as fast as they could. pic.twitter.com/XfTtR99AUH
— Ukrainian Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022
Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers persuaded men between the ages of 18 and 60 to join the army. “In one place, a commissioner was shouting ‘say goodbye to your daughters, mothers and girlfriends; you must turn back and fight the Russian invader! read the thread.
AU soldiers stopped cars and buses and snatched up any man between the ages of 18 and 60 to be drafted into the Ukrainian army. In one place, a commissioner shouted “say goodbye to your daughters, mothers and girlfriends; you must turn back and fight the Russian invader! pic.twitter.com/B61MZ48S1n
— Ukrainian Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022
“We befriended a 24-year-old named Max who was dragged out of the trailer as he spoke with us. I had time to get his number before his conscription and he left with a smile of utter disbelief. I will never forget that face,” the tweet read.
We befriended a 24 year old named Max who was dragged out of the trailer while talking with us. I had time to get his number before his conscription and he left with a smile of utter disbelief. I will never forget that face.
— Ukrainian Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022
Heartbreaking moments were experienced by the man who embarked on his journey to Poland. A woman was shouting at the army to let her husband go, but she was slapped and her husband was taken away. Toddlers, old women were also among those who traveled to Poland on foot.
We befriended a 24 year old named Max who was dragged out of the trailer while talking with us. I had time to get his number before his conscription and he left with a smile of utter disbelief. I will never forget that face.
— Ukrainian Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022
A woman cried out to the army to spare her husband from conscription. A soldier slapped her and took her husband away.
Things look really hopeless.
— Ukrainian Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022
The toddlers have taken the difficult path. Many were forced to walk the distance despite not knowing what was happening.
— Ukrainian Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022
Last thing: this was my view as I drove through Poland at 7:01 a.m. local time this morning. I think it was a welcome gift from nature. I am so inconsolably happy to be in the EU. pic.twitter.com/yIrK4YBAHB
— Ukrainian Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022
The Independent the report cites the PA News Agency quoting Marotta saying he had been in Ukraine for a week and a half. He was working as a freelance journalist in the midst of the invasion. After speculation grew about the possibilities of a Russian bombardment, he decided to flee Lviv. He reached Poland on February 25.
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