A message of thanks from Roden in the Ukraine

[Dave W]

We have been in regular contact with Roden President Vladimir in the Ukraine, to convey the concern members have for the safety and welfare of staff and families facing the horrors of the ongoing invasion by Russia.

Roden are based in Kyiv and thus are in the middle of the war zone.

In response to our latest message to Roden, I have received this reply from him:

"Another terrible page in the history of mankind.

"We are not afraid and we cannot be defeated, not broken.

"On the first day of peace, we will get back to work.

"Thank you for being with us at this difficult time.

"God is with us."

Vladimir

Our thoughts, support and best wishes go out to all of the Roden staff, their families, all of the many other hobby businesses based in Ukraine and to the Ukrainian people. We wish peace and safety for everyone.

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[Alexis]

Hugs to everyone just so they know , we all care 



Alexis

[PrzemoL]

Thank you Dave for bringing to us this piece of news.
Surely, modeling is not important now.
Let us all support in all possible ways the brave Ukrainian nation and its defenders!
Slava Ukrajini!

[Dave W]

Thanks PrzemoL

I agree, modelling is not important right now.  Our messages of support are for the safety and wellbeing of the Ukrainian people who work at the model businesses and their families and all of the people of the Ukraine.

We reached out to Roden because those are the people we have the most and the longest contact with.

As I said, we just wish peace and safety for everyone.

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[Rookie]

Hear, hear...

Willem

[Borsos]

It’s hard to stay calm these days. It’s not only Roden that’s in question, it’s MiniArt, ICM, Lemkits, Northstar Models, … Przemo is completely right when he says modelling is not important these days, and I think this list of great model companies representative for our small hobby community alone shows what the Ukraine has to give to the world, and to Europe in particular. I hope, all the members of the mentioned companies and their relatives and loved ones stay safe and sound in these horrible days as I wished, all people of the Ukraine and the world could stay.
I also hope the best for the thousands of Russian people who got jailed for protesting against this war.
Andreas

[James Reagan]

When I see a picture of a Ukrainian  and Russian involved in the conflict I can not help to think each one is some mothers son.  Our family prays for peace.

Jim Reagan

[torbiorn]

Awful, just awful. I hear the Russians are closing in and issued warnings to the civilians of Kyiv of things to come. I feel guilty only offering my thoughts and prayers 

[JamesAPrattIII]

I hope Vlad and the rest of the people of Roden and the other model companies make it through this war okay. Things are not looking good. It looks like Kyiv may be in for a rerun of the battle of Berlin or siege of Budapest during WW II.

[Todd Holaday]

So sad and disgusting that it has come to this.  Please add Artem with plastic-models-store.com to the list of modelling community members to pray for in Kyiv.  He has sent out a couple of brave emails to those on the store's mailing list.  It doesn't sound like "staying safe" is on his mind.  I so admire the everyday people of Ukraine who are staying and fighting to stay independent and free.  I'd like to believe I would do the same.  From today's letter:

Hello 

That's Artem again.

I have received lots and lots of emails where you supporting us.
I deeply THANK every one of you for that! I thank every person who came to the streets of your cities for solidarity with Ukraine.
We feel this support and we know that all world is with us.

Yesterday we were bakers, engineers or drivers, but today civil men took a weapon for first time in our lives and fighting shoulder to shoulder with our army.
Our brave citizens stop invader s by lying under them.

We have a historical Ukrainian phrase: Freedom or the Death.
And be sure we will fight till the last drop oа our blood.
After Glory day we need to help to treat seriously injured peoples, repair houses, repair bridges, repair all what was destroyed by Russian missiles. I hope you you saw how they "do not shoot on civil objects".
We need to help all children who lost their fathers.


There was more info with a link to contribute to the Ukrainian government website.  I wasn't sure if I should post it, so didn't.

[Dave W]

In response to Todd Holaday's post and some messages I have received regarding the war in  the Ukraine I think it is important to make Forum policy very clear as regards the invasion of the Ukraine and our concerns for the people who are caught up in this nightmare.

We are an international hobby forum only- nothing more- and our membership includes people from most European countries including Ukraine and Russia.

In my posts about the war I have deliberately avoided comment on the political issues or any hate posts. Unfortunately as the tempo of the war increases we are seeing more intense posts which is understandable but not acceptable here. We have deleted several such posts, and I deleted one just last night which contained an abusive remark.

Todd points out that a Ukraine model business is soliciting international donations and in fact many similar businesses are using social media sites especially to promote these donations. I have received emails from several with the same information.

I make no comment on those fund raising ventures other than to say our Forum is not getting involved in the "political" to and fro of this horrifying war.

Our stance was, is and will always be that we express support for the safety and wellbeing of the Ukrainian people and especially the staff and families of those hobby companies with whom we as a forum have a long standing personal connection. Chief among them is Roden but we wish only peace and safety to everyone, in every model business and by extension all of the Ukrainian people.

Other than that I believe our Forum must walk a neutral path, expressing horror at the war but not promoting political or propaganda themes, whatever our personal feelings.

So I ask members to please be respectful, please do not post links to fundraising accounts and above all do not post abusive remarks. We are closely watching every post now and my finger is never far from the 'delete post' key.

My thanks for your understanding.

Dave Wilson
Forum Owner & Administrator
Gold Coast
Australia

[fruibal]

Yes, I support that our forum must be kept neutral, and politically biased comments must be deleted. I hope that this nonsense war comes to end soon, peace talks are resumed and solutions are reached by both countries.

[KiwiZac]

Despite the then-threats being shown to their country, another Ukrainian company was happy to answer my questions about the progress of a new kit via Facebook. Someone on another forum asked further questions for me to pass on - despite the fact the situation had changed dramatically in the intervening day or so - and understandably the company simply replied with an image of something that had happened to a civilian building. I explained my personal feelings about model aeroplanes taking a backseat to current events and they were kind in their reply.

In a similar vein, some of our members are likely aware that the sole Antonov An-225 may have been extensively damaged or even destroyed. It's been difficult to make it clear to people on social media that while I'm sad such an aeronautical marvel may have been destroyed I am not in any way placing more importance on an aeroplane compared to what the people of Ukraine are going through.

[Todd Holaday]

I understand your position Dave.  Thanks for not deleting my post.

[Vickers]

In response to Todd Holaday's post and some messages I have received regarding the war in  the Ukraine I think it is important to make Forum policy very clear as regards the invasion of the Ukraine and our concerns for the people who are caught up in this nightmare.

We are an international hobby forum only- nothing more- and our membership includes people from most European countries including Ukraine and Russia.

In my posts about the war I have deliberately avoided comment on the political issues or any hate posts. Unfortunately as the tempo of the war increases we are seeing more intense posts which is understandable but not acceptable here. We have deleted several such posts, and I deleted one just last night which contained an abusive remark.

Todd points out that a Ukraine model business is soliciting international donations and in fact many similar businesses are using social media sites especially to promote these donations. I have received emails from several with the same information.

I make no comment on those fund raising ventures other than to say our Forum is not getting involved in the "political" to and fro of this horrifying war.

Our stance was, is and will always be that we express support for the safety and wellbeing of the Ukrainian people and especially the staff and families of those hobby companies with whom we as a forum have a long standing personal connection. Chief among them is Roden but we wish only peace and safety to everyone, in every model business and by extension all of the Ukrainian people.

Other than that I believe our Forum must walk a neutral path, expressing horror at the war but not promoting political or propaganda themes, whatever our personal feelings.

So I ask members to please be respectful, please do not post links to fundraising accounts and above all do not post abusive remarks. We are closely watching every post now and my finger is never far from the 'delete post' key.

My thanks for your understanding.

Dave Wilson
Forum Owner & Administrator
Gold Coast
Australia

Thanks, Dave. As much as I may root for the Ukraine I certainly don't hate the Russians. No one actually fighting in this war asked for it to happen and I reckon that the vast majority of people in both countries would happily raise a toast to one another and share good humor if not for those in power who would pit them against one another for personal and political gain. Such as it has always been. Further, as a Yank... an ungrateful colonial... I wonder whether it would be any different had Alaska followed through on their threat to secede? "Mr. President, Alaska has too much seafood and oil... we must bring them back into the union. By force if necessary". Praying for everyone on both sides and hoping that the horror will subside.