In Ukraine's Lviv help — and maybe hope — for the legions displaced by war

She ladled out one serving after another from a steaming cauldron, savoring how patrons relished the comfort-in-a-bowl elixir, all free of charge. Vladyslava Ladysheva, 64, a great-grandmother in a quilted coat, was serving chicken soup at a food stand outside the main train station in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine.“I get a lot of satisfaction being here, ” Ladysheva said this week. “People feel safe and are taken care of.... Easter is coming and we want this to be over soon. ”She is among the army of volunteers mobilized to aid the many displaced by war descending on this city. Lviv is a both a way station for Ukrainians headed abroad, and a haven for the legions who hope to remain in their homeland but fled fighting in their areas. A month after Russia’s invasion Feb. 24, the numbers are staggering: Some 10 million Ukrainians — almost a quarter of the population — have been forced out of their homes, including 3. 5 million who have opted to cross into Poland and other nearby nations, according to the United Nations. The influx has swollen the population of Lviv, a historic city of domed churches and cobblestone streets. The city, normally home to some 700, 000, is packed. Recent sunny days have brought throngs to the streets.“It has been a challenge for Lviv, but everyone is doing what they can to help out our fellow Ukrainians, ” said Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, who spoke outside a church before the funeral of a soldier last week. Such services are an almost daily occurrence now, as the bodies of those killed in combat are brought home. Few people do not have a relative in the fight. The son of Ladysheva, the soup lady at the station, is serving at the front. Among those relishing her fare was Svitlana Nikonorova, 45, who came to Lviv a week ago from Odesa, the Black Sea port in southern Ukraine.“The people in Lviv are so helpful, they assist us with everything — they feed us, they keep asking if we need something, ” said Nikonorova, speaking Russian, which is prevalent in Odesa. “Everything is well organized. ”As a Russian-speaker, Nikonorova was especially irate at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s frequent assertions that Moscow’s invasion is meant in part to protect Ukrainians with “blood ties” to Russia.“Everyone in Odesa hates Putin, ” she said. “It is a lie that he wants to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine. ”Nikonorova was speaking outside the elegant 19th century train station, a hub for the displaced and for those helping them. Many people fleeing the war arrive and depart from the station. Volunteers in orange and yellow vests provide guidance and food. The daily train to Poland is generally packed, though it is often hours late. Outside the station, an array of tents provide various services — first aid, psychological counseling, travel tips. Across the street, buses wait to ferry those displaced by the war to Poland and elsewhere — Germany, the Netherlands, Slovakia. The trips are free. All data is taken from the source: http://latimes.com Article Link: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/... #station #newsupdate #newsworldabc #newstodaybbc #newstodayworld #newsworldfox #