Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko

UKR/CAN/USA. NAFO: standing for humanity, freedom, and peace 🌻 Donate to get an ambulance/aid to UA: @SlavaUkrainiOrg nonprofit gal

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

Because community notes don’t always work and people can delete their posts, I’m going to make damn sure that the “soft genocide” narrative NOT spread.

Take it from someone who is actually here. This is a GENOCIDE according to the UN’s definition: https://t.co/Q3ffotPuq6

The enemy has checked multiple boxes here. In article II, it is specified that national groups can be victims of genocide (in this case, people within the borders of Ukraine/people with Ukrainian passports) and Ukrainians have been victims of all 5 points on the list actions that fit the definition of genocide.

Furthermore, article II explains dolus specialis, which is the intent of the actions happening to Ukrainians. Both the mental and physical elements are present. I need not list them because 1) I just linked the definition and 2) this platform would silence me.

Soft genocide is not even a recognized term in international law and we must understand how dangerous it is to let people get away with using this term when referring to Ukraine (or any other country, really.)

Almost every night, a siren tells me it’s time to put my go bag next to my bed (or sleep in a shelter instead)

This morning, I was awakened by drones. Not just sirens, drones.

I’ve witnessed firsthand the adrenaline of someone that lost a donated bus to a mine on the road. He didn’t even notice he broke his leg.

I’ve seen people return from being taken into captivity after a prisoner exchange and they all hold on to their apples like it’s the best thing they’ve seen in god knows how long - because it literally is. Imagine having your mind blown by seeing real fruit again.

I’ve seen a school in Konotop, not far from the russian border, operate underground. Their school is a shelter because kids can’t learn if they’re worried about their lives. They’ve painted the inside of the shelter to look as homey as possible. Just because they have adapted to these horrors does not mean they’re not happening.

Kindergartens are still being targeted on a regular basis, even while vacant, because having a place for children to return to school is allowing them to develop basic intellectual skills, and the enemy doesn’t want that.

Ukrainian civilians are still being kidnapped in cities that westerners think are “safe” because the media gets tired of reporting resilience. There are videos of this happening regularly on our telegram channels. One moment your neighbour is trying to take his grocery bag into his apartment, the next moment 5 enemy soldiers are dragging him across the concrete.

Every city is dark at night. Not because we’re currently lacking power, but because we know that any light poses an opportunity for recon drones to gather intel.

So yeah, we grieve more than just this one mother and child depicted in the picture here. War is very much still happening, and I will not let the “soft genocide” narrative slide across my desk. To do so would be betraying my fellow Ukrainians that have a type of strength that the western mind cannot comprehend.

We are very strongly opinionated about semantics and not sorry for it because we must defend everything that is at threat of being erased. Respect the wording of international law or please don’t speak.

Slava Ukraini.

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

When it comes to fundraisers, I think it’s pretty important to say what it’s for… a random PayPal link does not entice me

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

Ever since I changed my lifestyle and no longer care as much about luxury things, I’ve attracted a completely different audience on my personal accounts. That’s probably a good thing. The materialistic people have become bored by me. Not sorry I outgrew that.

[The Figen @TheFigen_]

To defeat the machine, become the machine. 😂

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

@FightStrong106 …fair

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

Reflections before I enter a new decade on Monday:

1. No one else needs to give a shit about your accomplishments other than you. You’re the one that should be proud of them. Fuck everyone else.

2. Your reputation is who you are. Not who you surround yourself with.

3. You cannot change anyone else’s perception of you, no matter how hard you try.

4. Sympathy will get you less “respect points” than thugging it out and saying “that was tough, but I did it.”

5. Welcome to earth. Some really bad stuff happens here, but some really awesome stuff does too. It’s your choice what to focus on.

6. Your diploma does not get put on your headstone when you die. Education is cool, but actually doing something for society is cooler.

7. Drink your pickle juice. Just trust me.

8. Look at the sky before your neck starts hurting as you age

More later

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

There are 3 fundraisers on the Slava Ukraini nonprofit site. This one is quite urgent, and if you can help out, I would greatly appreciate it. I’ll post the other ones a little bit later, but if you’re able to donate to this one, it would help a whole family here in Kyiv.

[Slava Ukraini Nonprofit @SlavaUkrainiOrg]

And here is a fundraiser benefitting a family that is needing to relocate after one of the recent attacks (this one is very time sensitive, and we have verified all info posted in this fundraiser)

https://t.co/hw6dblcMCm

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

Just got a bunch of fundraisers onto https://t.co/aNEr85cEd6

Two of these are for NAFO fellas.

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

Big scandal in Ukraine right now, why is the apple on the new bottle so… macho?

[🇺🇦 Unmanned Systems Forces @usf_army]

Ok, fellas, we see all your tags and we get it.

But.
Being a shitty person doesn't make someone a legitimate military target under international law. Climbing on a tank for internet clout isn't enough to become a combatant.

Do something that actually qualifies — then we can talk. Until then, we'll keep our drones for real military targets 😉

[Le French Fella @LeFrenchFella]

For all of those asking, mentioning, threatening or even assessing, YES, I am based in Kyiv and I understand the war(s)/situation more than you can understand the amount of stuff in your fridge.

[CNN @CNN]

FedEx is buying up to 100 new flying delivery trucks https://t.co/mazblZnMqr

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

Not ignoring anyone… I managed to mess up my phone’s ability to connect to anything including a cell tower. Please be patient as I change this phone from a paperweight back into a working device

Semi-related: fck eSIMs

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

@MonsterPockets7 I see u

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

Most days, I am cool as a cucumber. But not today. Today I am a potato. I might be a little useless and dull today, but let me sit for a bit and I’ll turn into vodka or something idk

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

@MonsterPockets7 I freaking love figs (which my autocorrect changed to dogs, I also love dogs)

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

@LondonGreyhound See that’s what I would love to show is the resilience and how Ukrainians are holding it down for everyone in Europe. I don’t know if you’ve seen the “yes, but” trend on instagram but for example: you have a pic of the metro, and then a pic of people taking shelter in the station

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

I want to show people what Kyiv has been through, but I don’t want to act like one of those people that goes places just to take pictures of destruction.

The west needs more reminders that war can happen in Europe, too. I have the reach for that on personal social media, but idk

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

A couple people unfollowed me because I posted about the baggage situation and having to replace a bunch of stuff that was in there

Absolutely no one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to send me anything. I’m mostly just frustrated because I want to get the most wear out of my clothes and shoes, and I want to be the person that ruins them myself lol.

This is a first world problem. Some people don’t have baggage or clothing or shoes or the money for plane tickets. I am still blessed.

A new fundraiser for a vehicle will be coming soon to @SlavaUkrainiOrg. Actually, it’s already on the website, we’re just gathering more information and updating the fundraiser post as we know more.

Take care of the people that need it most first, then worry about me. 😊

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

@MonsterPockets7 A pilot I sent the pictures to said it looks like hydraulic fluid or some grease that was used for baggage handling/cargo equipment.

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

Never did I foresee this situation, but having to replace nearly everything in my bag that got trashed in transit to Europe has taken a toll on my wallet. That’s in addition to upcoming immigration lawyer fees + having to pay more for a new apartment last minute because my body was quite literally rejecting whatever was in the air of the original one.

If everything had gone to plan, I wouldn’t be draining my savings on:
• new luggage (haven’t found anything reasonably priced yet)
• tops, bottoms, bras, underwear
• replacement shampoo and conditioner + body wash because for some reason, my psoriasis shampoo must be a threat to aviation security (it was confiscated, along with the other liquids I had packed in plastic bags to prevent leakage)
• a new hairdryer - the travel one that was in my bag got that chemical liquid into it and quit working
• aid that was in my checked bag that was badly damaged or confiscated, because apparently iodine wound cleaner is a threat to aviation security (never mind the fact that I cannot find a single place it would be prohibited to travel with)
• my 10 year old birkenstock sandals

I don’t know if this stain came from fuel, someone that packed hair dye and it spilled on my bag, or what. All I know is that the stains wouldn’t come out no matter how much I tried.

My birthday is on Monday. If anyone wants to get me a gift, in lieu of flowers, I gratefully accept donations to my Austrian Airlines baggage mishap + future immigration lawyer fees fund. (I will still gladly accept flowers and cake because I’m not letting these airports ruin my day)

Anyway… my DMs are open for e-transfer (Canada), pp, and vєимо.

Unfortunately, the cheaper market I planned on replacing things at… is no more. Because russia took it out a few days/maybe about a week ago.

Thank you for your generosity in advance ❤️

[Sgt. Maple Sharkchenko @SergeantMaple]

@MonsterPockets7 Respectfully, I know how I packed my bag - that stain is not from iodine/betadine. It’s in the wrong location for how I packed the bag. Doesn’t smell like iodine, has more of a garage type scent, feels oily, is also on the exterior of the bag.