As the Russian attack on Ukraine enters its third month, 1972 Olympic silver medalist Yevgeny Arzhanov corresponds with senior East Coast writer Jeff Benjamin on survival in both Kyiv and now Lviv.
Let’s be ballpark frank here. My sympathies are with Ukraine. There is no reason for Mr. Putin to attack Ukraine but that his economy is in shambles, he’s terrified of NATO and the EU and even in its current Balkanized version, the US is still an adversary.
We will continue to update you on the 800-meter Olympic silver medalist’s condition and that of his family.
Dave Wottle takes the gold medal, Yevgeny Arzanhov, leaping for silver, Mike Boit, bronze, photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Yevgeny Arzhanov sent this note to Jeff Benjamin (approved by Yevgeny) on April 29, 2022:
“All is bad. 1 month ago my home in my village 50 km from the capital Kyiv was bombed by the Russian military, and my home was destroyed. Now it is not possible for life there.
But I have an apartment in the capital Kyiv. Yesterday Russia bombed the ARTEM plant in Kyiv. It is 100 meters from my home there in my apartment. 1 rocket destroyed the plant. Another rocket destroyed homes near the plant and my home. My area was lit and they also destroyed many windows and balconies.
Now we cannot live in my home in the village or in Kyiv.
I don’t know what can i do, and cannot get money in Ukrainian banks as the government has been attacked.
It’s a crazy situation for me and my family.”
Yevgeny Arzhanov, today, photo courtesy of Yevgeny Arzhanov
We received an update on May 4, 2022:
“Im staying in Lviv now. But there’s no safety. Yesterday 4 of Putin’s rockets bombed Lviv. One rocket fell not far from my home. I have many problems.”
To read our first piece on Mr. Arzhanov: https://www.runblogrun.com/2022/03/i-am-a-patrioti-am-sure-we-will-win—ukrainian-track-legend-yevgeny-arzhanov-in-a-mortal-struggle-i.html#more
