Deadly attack on Eichenau's twin town in Ukraine

Created: 11/24/2022, 3:15 p.m

By: Hans Kürzl, Kathrin Böhmer

250 apartments were destroyed, cars burned down: this residential building in Vishgorod was hit by Russian rockets.

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Reports about Russian rocket terror against the civilian population in the Kyiv area are currently firmly in the headlines.

This time Vishgorod, Eichenau's sister city, was bombed.

Five people died, including a child.

The horror is great.

But that's not the only reaction.

Eichenau – Gerd Sonnenberg is still struggling for composure the day after the horror news.

"I'm an old man and I'm not afraid to admit that I cried," says the 84-year-old.

Eichenauer has something like a foster son in the Ukrainian twin town of Wischgorod.

He met him during an exchange and has supported him ever since, including financially.

Of course, there is currently great concern that something will happen to the 21-year-old medical student Bogdan, who lives in the middle of the city, that Russian missiles will injure him or worse.

But shortly after the terrible bombing, the news came that relieved: "Don't worry, I'm alive."

The youngest victim is five years old

Every day since the war began in February, Bogdan has been told to send a message to Eichenau that he is well.

So far, Sonnenberg knew that the town of around 30,000 inhabitants, 20 kilometers north of Kyiv, was largely spared.

But now the catastrophe: Russian rockets smash into residential buildings, according to local information there were five dead, including a five-year-old girl, and dozens injured, some are still fighting for their lives.

Bogdan is convinced that the Russians actually wanted to shut down the substation and hydroelectric power station.

According to Facebook, Vishgorod's mayor Aleksej Momot sees it differently: "It was a targeted attack on civilians."

Victims are taken away: The people of Vishgorod have been living in fear since the Russians intensified their targeting of the Kyiv area.

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This is confirmed by Claus Guttenthaler, who takes care of Vischgorod matters as a consultant for the community and has many contacts.

Only civilian targets were hit.

"The windows are broken in many houses." 250 apartments are probably affected, as well as schools and kindergartens.

Attempts are now being made to set up emergency accommodation in hotels.

Military facilities are only located outside of Vishgorod, Guttenthaler said.

Vischgorod's mayor personally informed Peter Münster, his counterpart in Eichenau, about the events on Wednesday evening.

The head of the town hall is shocked by the pictures on site.

After all: At least no facilities such as hospitals are affected.

Emergency generators will be provided

However, according to the mayor of Eichenau, the delivery of emergency generators is becoming more and more urgent.

Two have already been organized via the Rotary Club, and the community of Eichenau is now working flat out to find a freight forwarder.

Blankets and flashlights will also be provided.

"But we have to take into account that we also have to prepare for an emergency situation here," says Münster.

The firefighters in constant use are also bewildered.

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Münster knows that most people would still stay in Vischgorod.

Very few would leave their homeland, like the 2,428 refugees who were accommodated in the district alone.

The Ukrainian government is toying with the idea of ​​allowing citizens to go abroad in an organized manner.

Münster is unable to say whether this will again result in a greater number of Ukrainian refugees being taken in.

"It cannot be completely ruled out, but there is currently no scenario for this."

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FFB newsletter.)

In any case, after the terrible attack, he wants to intensify contact with his colleague Momot again.

Technically, that's not a problem, the lines would work.

"We just always have to find time."

Münster showed great respect for the Ukrainians' will to persevere.

But he is realistic enough to recognize that the war there will probably continue for quite a while.

Sitting at home and waiting is not an option for Gerd Sonnenberg either.

He is Vice-Chairman of the Vishgorod Friends.

And he is already planning the next action.

There will be a Christmas service for the Orthodox refugees, including a peace celebration and a fundraiser.

So he can at least help a little, even if his foster son Bogdan has to continue to live in the middle of the war.

You can find more current news from the district of Fürstenfeldbruck at Merkur.de/Fürstenfeldbruck.