re: Should I leave Ukraine?

quote:

---

Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but Russia isn't at war with America. Would they really detain them because you were American? Now, granted someone might cap you out of spite, but I don't know if I believe Russia would be rounding up Americans. We as Americans can fly into Russia right now as Citizens, can't we? I agree with a previous poster. I think while they might detain and question, they would let your wife and kid come through because your kid is American. Unless of course, Russia is trying to get America involved. Then that would be the publicity they would want out there to try and draw the Americans in.

---

No, it's really unlikely. I think he's probably better off because he can help his family more from the outside (most likely). None of that replaces being there to defend them with his life, but his family being injured in a reckless/indiscriminate/whatever shelling incident is more likely than a Russian soldier gunning them down, I suspect.

But yeah, I really doubt they'd be going around searching for the American to kill. It's possible they'd take him and use him as leverage, but I'm not sure the Russians want that incident either.

quote:

---

I really doubt they'd be going around searching for the American to kill

---

I don't think Putin cares for human life, but he certainly cares about the PR. He is a politician. Everything is recorded today with cameras and social media. The more civilians are killed, the more the world will turn on him, the more the Russian population will turn on him. That being said he would rather fight dirty and win then fight fair and lose.

Jesus. This fricking sucks man. I couldn’t imagine getting a message like that from my wife.

quote:

---

Americans need a visa to enter Russia. My daughter does not have a visa, so it could possibly complicate things.

---

Maybe someone who knows more about the situation could better advise, but how would they know the baby is an American? Do they check birth certificates in refugee type situations? You may want to consult someone in our govt or in international law who could help advise whether it’s beneficial or harmful to identify the baby as American.

quote:

---

advise whether it’s beneficial or harmful to identify the baby as American.

---

It's a very good question. My baby has an American passport obviously which could be beneficial if she needs to fly. In a refugee situation Russia or Poland will not require a passport to enter and luckily she isn't talking yet. She could probably hide her passport to get into Russia and then use it to fly out.

Have you reached out to your congressman for advice on your situation yet? At the very least I imagine they’d be able to provide you with some helpful information.

quote:

---

I don't think a Congressman can help me yet, so I'm waiting until I think they can.

---

I think you should at least get on their radar so they know it's coming. Just in case it takes days for the intern to get the info to the right people, IMO start that clock ASAP.

Best of luck to you, your family and their community.

quote:

---

Right now they can't leave Ukraine. I don't think a Congressman can help me yet, so I'm waiting until I think they can. When my wife and son get out of Ukraine, I will see if they can help me get her son in the USA.

---

I understand your thinking, but I still think you need to have that conversation with him/her. It's ok to tell him what's going on and explain there isn't a way to get to them at the moment, but she and the baby needs help as soon as it can happen. That way if your congressman has to go through some channels, he can start that process NOW and not later. Also, it would be one more thing to present to the administration in hopes of them taking in refugees for your step son to come as well.

I'm suggesting highly to you right now don't wait until you need your congressman. Do it now. They have processes to go through as well.

Thank you guys, I will take your advice and at least make my congressman aware of the situation today.

I'm not very knowledgeable about these things, but should I also contact a Senator? I actually have a small connection with Senator Kennedy.

UPDATE: I spoke to the wife briefly. She was NOT shot at, which was good to hear. Her sister Lisa wrote me "They came under fire, shockingly by the Ukrainian army" with no details. They had been bombed all week, so I assumed that was referring to small arms fire.
So what actually happened is Russian troops entered her city and the two armies are fighting in her city. She relocated to her father's hospital because they have a bomb shelter.
The video her father sent was inside the bomb shelter but my wife told me that they don't stay there all day. They only go when the bombing starts. I would imagine that it is hard on these poor women that just delivered babies or are in heavy labor.

I believe they are well supplied for now. I am hoping the fighting in her city is very short. Lisa seems to think it will only be 2 or 3 days, who can say.

I asked her if she will leave when the fighting in her city stops and she said only if the corridor doesn't go through fighting somewhere else.

My mother told me that an American was taken off a bus by Russian soldiers and has not been heard from since. That is all I heard on that.

I will contact my Congressman, let me know if I should contact my senator as well.

Thank you