What can we do for Ukraine & What Ukrainians may need to know

I'm almost not active on Steemit for a week, because of many personal problems and bad health conditions but today when Steemit can be used for more meaningful things than writing the Diary Games, I had to launch the platform.

We all already know that Putin ignored all the international rules and in need to cure his complexes, he decided to do the thing that the future history books will describe as the craziest actions since the second world war. Many Russians do not approve of that madness, others, by their ignorance, follow national propaganda and support the guy who leads the country for over two decades, the time that no leader in any democratic country would be allowed to lead, but dares to speak about the freedom and democracy in Ukraine as not valid. They follow the person who says that Ukraine with their army endangered Russia, which has 10 times more soldiers and weapons (how?), the same Russia that occupies Crimea for 8 years, and destabilized the eastern part of Ukraine, so who is the real danger for who? They swallow the propaganda that Ukraine is the extension of NATO, that NATO wants to destroy them, not seeing that their actions, their unreasonable cassus beli video, recorded with the quality of 14 years old youtuber, will be the thing that will destroy Russia. Not with military solutions, because only Putin is so crazy to shoot to the people in XXIst century, but economically, by the sanctions, that soon, hopefully, will include launching SWIFT ban.

All of that is not so important now though. Only national TV in Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua is following the propaganda. China tries to become neutral or slightly pro-Russian too. Besides that, 193 other countries agree that Russia is the bad guy here and that Russia, has to pay for its actions.

Let's focus on Ukraine now. Puta(in) does not deserve more of our attention. I would like to share some information that may help Ukrainians who don't know what to do now, as well as to all non-Ukrainians who want to help (extra points if you are Russian, then your help is double meaningful)

CROSSING THE BORDER WITH POLAND

Many things had been simplified for Ukrainian refugees who are looking for shelter in Poland due to the Russian Invasion

• traveling with animals: for the time of the war, there is no need to make the certificate of antirabies vaccination. You can come to Poland with your pet and you don't need any additional documents.

• children do not need a passport to cross the border with their parent(s). The birth certificate is enough

• Poland allows all the Ukrainians to cross the border. You don't need any VISA to come here. Perfectly, if you have a biometrical passport, but it's possible also with the old, regular passport or even with the simplest ID. You can stay in Poland for 90 days with a biometrical passport or 15 days with any other ID. Alternatively, you can ask on the border for your international refugee status. In the first case, you won't be asked for anything, except for your data (name, surname, etc), in the second case your ID document may be taken and you will receive the special certificate which you will need to have all the time with you.

• the foreigners who currently are in Ukraine are also allowed to look for the shelter in Poland

• Because all men in age 18-60 are now part of the Ukrainian army, they may have problems with crossing the border. If someone is in need to look for a shelter, it's recommended to cross it by forest - Poland will not deport those men and they are allowed to ask for shelter as well.

• for those of you who have higher education or 5 years of experience at work, there is one old and not-so-popular law that can make it easier. It's called The Blue Card - it will allow you and your family to look for a job in European Union without getting any additional permissions.

• check this official website for more information (it's in Polish, English, Ukrainian and Russian): https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc/ukraina

HELP FOR FREE

• If you need a sworn translator from Ukrainian to Polish, you may contact www.tlumaczeniapruszkow.pl (phone: +48 502 720 743). They are available 24\7 and they offer their services pro bono.

• In this Facebook group you will find tens or even hundreds of Polish lawyers who will help you pro bono and answer all your questions

• in the same group some people offer that they may host Ukrainians at their homes or give them a ride from the border

• If you just need to talk, you have a fear related to what is happening in your country now, call me or text me. I will not have any solutions, but I will hear you and be for you. I'm papi.mati#3791 on discord and I promise to check messages regularly to be there for you as much as possible. I speak Polish, English, and basic Spanish. Remember that I'm in Argentina right now, so there is a time difference between our countries.

• If you need a place to stay or someone who could drive you from the border to your family/friends, check this Facebook group or text me and I will try to contact my friends in Poland.

• All Ukrainians in Poland can use the trail in any direction for free. PKP announced they won't check the tickets of the refugees starting from today (26.02) until 26.03.

• if you are Ukrainian and you need free healthcare, LuxMed company will take care of you in every city in Poland. Call +48 22 45 87 007

• if you are in Cracov and need legal help, shelter, clothes, food or anything else, contact Salam Lab Organization. That's one of the greatest organizations in Poland which is focusing on the refugee situation.
  https://salamlab.pl/en/ukraine/
  Other verified organizations which you may try to reach: Twoja Widzialna Ręka; Fundacja WOLNO NAM, or the city of Kraków, as they launched their own support program too.

NOW, WHAT ALL OF US CAN DO

• check the sources of the information that you read. There is plenty of Russian propaganda on the Internet. Share only verified information, talk about the war but use the proper language (not conflict, but war; not Russian-Ukrainian war, it's Russian war, the aggressor is only one; it did not start a week ago, but 8 years ago; it's not because Ukraine wanted to join NATO, Putin did not consider Ukraine as the country since always, he clearly said it in his last expose, etc)

• every time you see in social media trolls and misinformation, report it as hate speech. Unfortunately, Russia is using media to the cyberwar spreading misinformation not only in Ukraine but around the world (more often in Northern Hemisphere)

• protest, demand the worst possible sanctions for Russia. If you are Russian, your protest is a hundred times more important. Show to Ukraine and to the world that Russians are an amazing nation, and only their dictator is a sick psycho. I know people who are protesting in Russia are often arrested, but consider if being arrested is such a big deal - it may save many lives.

• buy from Ukrainian companies. Verify who is the owner of the Russian company before you will spend even one cent in there. Every dollar given to the Russians who support Putin means economical support for invading and killing Ukrainians

• donate to one of the hundreds of international organizations that are collecting the money for Ukraine. Select the organization that you know - those sorts of situations are often used by scammers so make sure your money will end in Ukraine. I recommend savelife.in.ua as the organization which supports the Ukrainian Army Forces.

Helping Ukrainian Steemians

All Steemit users from Steem-BRU are most welcomed in Steem-Travelers community. Always the quality of the content is the most important factor while selecting for the booming support, but I will put additional attention to the Ukrainian authors who will be sharing the content there to support them in those difficult times.

The data had been completed from the government pages and opinions of the lawyers in the linked non-profit support group for Ukrainians.