Ukrainian checkpoint

Since the problems began in Eastern Ukraine a few weeks ago, we pass though checkpoints manned by the National Guard guys going to both Dnepropetroesk and Zaporosia. Both of them are set up at the regular traffic police checkpoints, so there are two policemen standing there also. Going in toward Zaporosia from our side, you have to stop at a stop sign, before the traffic circle, after zigzagging through the cement barricades set up on the four lane highway, but not on the way out of the city, then you just maneuver around the blocks of cement.

They do pull people over, but maybe just for traffic violations

zigzagging near Zaporosia

A traffic policeman wears a yellow vest

We have never been stopped while I have been in the car, possibly because most of the traffic police know who we are. Our visitors got pulled over at the regular traffic stop following us to church in Dnepro the first week they were living with us, the day of the Crimean referendum. The police asked where they lived and he said Crimea, but they had to leave so they were staying with Garry. His wife tried to explain who Garry was, but the policeman said that he knew. There are only so many Canadians driving around here, he wished them well and sent them on their way.

they painted the sandbags outside Dnepro in the village of Bratski 

 They are looking for possible pro-Russian agitators entering the cities, we assume. Victor drops off a free 6 liter jug of milk on Thursdays for the guys at the checkpoint when he returns to Dnepropetroesk with milk for sale.

Leaving Dnepro you can still use both lanes

So far all the problems have been to the east of us, nothing happens in our areas, other than pro-Ukraine demonstrations, on Saturdays or Sundays you see people out waving the flag. In Zap one Saturday the police had all the lights flashing yellow on main street for a couple hundred motorcycles with blue and yellow flags followed by a couple dozen cars with flags to bring up the rear of the parade.

So Garry is hoping to finish planting corn and sunflowers, make hay and even find some students for next fall's new class at the trade school before he joins me in Manitoba for our son's wedding in June. We even have shirts with our current slogan (thanks to the Manitoba Milk board)- it really fits our current situation in Ukraine.