Seven years have passed since that day.

What began as a complete political show, fueled by hype and slogans like “we just need to stop shooting” and “I saw the world in Putin’s eyes,” eventually resulted in Minditchgate, a dynasty-like cooperative, and a two-room apartment in Moscow. As for the rest, there’s no need to even mention it…

Back then, in April 2019, I went to the polling station in my hometown of Melitopol. But now, as those who remain there say, “This is far from the city you knew. It’s like half of Russia was brought here.” Melitopol is occupied. Just like Berdyansk, Mariupol, Henichesk, Kakhovka, and hundreds of other cities, towns, and villages that remember our childhood and youth are occupied. Why did this happen? Because, damn it, when you say we can increase the army, but then we won’t be able to build roads, it sounds like a kind of invitation to the aggressor. “Come and take whatever you want. Because right now I don’t have the time or desire to change the locks on the doors; I’m hanging a gold watch on the wall.”

Seven years have passed… How do you sleep at night?