Professional clown Serhii Shershun has swapped the massive prime for a checkpoint in Kyiv, and says Russia’s invasion is not any laughing matter.
More used to juggling and miming, the 50-year-old now totes a machine gun as a part of Ukraine’s enormous mobilisation of civil defence volunteers.
“I’m in opposition to the enemy coming to my land and killing my individuals, my pals, my youngsters, and the ladies – it isn’t proper,” he tells AFP.
Going by the skilled title of ShiSh, Shershun says his spouse can be a clown whereas his sons are taking on the commerce as nicely, one as a juggler and the opposite at circus faculty.
“We had been on tour, we lived a peaceable life, we made individuals blissful, and all of a sudden… it stopped,” says Shershun, carrying camouflage trousers as a substitute of saggy clown pants, a blue jacket and a rakishly askew baseball cap.
At a sandbag-and-concrete checkpoint within the capital, Shershun jokingly complains that his shoulders harm from carrying one of many heavier weapons within the group.
His crew of armed civil defence volunteers cease every passing automobile to verify individuals’s identification and look contained in the trunk.
What they’re in search of: Russian spies and “saboteurs” that Ukraine fears will perform assaults or mark targets for strikes by Moscow.
“Why did I come? Because I needed to. I can not clarify in phrases – it’s a satanic hatred” in direction of the invading Russian forces, he says.
Providing provides, and hugs
Kyiv’s checkpoints boast a motley crew of civil defence volunteers carrying military fatigues blended with sweatshirts, caps and beanies, sun shades and rifles.
Some of the barricades have dummy guards, with mannequins carrying rocket launchers and even a knight in armour. Others are made out of previous Lada automobiles.
But life on the checkpoints is a critical enterprise. Volunteers spend lengthy nights and days within the chilly, making an attempt to remain watchful.
They are additionally placing their lives at danger.
Recently, volunteers at Shershun’s checkpoint fired right into a automobile painted with a purple Russian army ‘Z’ image that attempted to ram into them. The driver was shot and badly wounded.
One of those that gave medical help to the assailant was Svitlana Kalanova, 21, a biochemistry graduate engaged on autoimmune illnesses who specialises in first support.
“He did not hearken to our guys at the checkpoint, he tried to injure our guys, so this was the explanation they fired,” she stated, sitting within the sunshine throughout a quick break.
“I’ve by no means seen a lot blood, however I used to be prepared. I believe I’ve been prepared my complete life.”
Ukrainians have volunteered of their a whole bunch of 1000’s. Some are despatched to the frontline to serve alongside common troops, whereas others man checkpoints.
Others assist be sure that these making an attempt to fend off the Russian invasion have sufficient meals and provides – and hugs.
“Always when the troopers come right here I say the very first thing we do is to hug,” says Svitlana Boretska, a faculty headmistress who now heads a volunteer provide centre filled with footwear, garments and different gear.
“It is difficult for the boys, and we attempt to assist them – emotionally and in no matter method we are able to. We costume them and feed them. We are just like the rear line of defence. That’s why I have to be as dependable because the fighters on the frontline.”
Ukraine’s mass militarisation has sparked fears that it will likely be exhausting to return to regular ought to it prevail in opposition to Russia, however ShiSh the clown shouldn’t be apprehensive.
“Once the conflict is over I’ve massive plans. I run a youngsters’s clown and pantomime studio and we’ve got a deliberate present quickly.” – AFP
