Why Ix Shen Is Standing His Ground in Kyiv When the World Is on Fire
Picture this: you’re strolling around Jurong, and suddenly you hear the rumble of incoming bombs at Pasir Ris, a whole 40 km away. Your first instinct? Grab the kids and bolt out of Singapore. That’s what most people would do.
But Ix Shen, the former Singaporean TV actor who’s now living in Kyiv, is taking a very different route.
On the Edge of an Explosion, Since When?
- Feb 23, 10 pm local time → the first boom lands 20‑40 km from his balcony.
- He’s heard more blasts, sirens, and seen locals lugging bags through the streets.
- Still, he and his wife, a seasoned Chinese‑medicine practitioner, have no kids – but they’ve got a family in Odessa and are worried about them.
“Leaving Is Riskier, So Why the Panic?”
When asked, Ix shrugged and said, “As long as the power and internet stay up, I can’t see a reason to run. The chaos that would follow would be worse than staying.” He painted a picture of highways jammed with empty fuel tanks, frozen temperatures, and a list of transport nightmares that would swallow any escape plan.
His Reasoning
- No fuel: The fuel curfew drags a nightmare of stuck cars.
- Cold air: The road trip into winter would be a hardship.
- Supply gaps: Food and water would be scarce.
So, despite the looming threat, they’ve drawn up an escape route – but not all that they’d ever actually use.
Life on the Front Lines
Ix and his wife moved to Kyiv’s Podil district only four months ago. She’s a reservist medical officer and might be called to duty any moment. Their wedding was only seven years old; the marriage feels almost like a lifeline.
“I’ve told my Singapore family and friends I’m safe, but that didn’t calm them,” Ix confessed, even taking a short break to reassure his mother that he was alive and well.
Is It Really a Panic Situation?
According to Ix, things have gotten “right to the doorstep.” Still, there’s no frenzy or panic. Buses and the underground run, the economy’s still melting, and people queue up calmly to buy whatever they need.
He follows government advice: stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep listening to updates. The good news is he’s stocked up on rations and water – enough to keep him company for the “period of time.”
On the Role of a Local Hero
Building on a previous crisis in China during the COVID‑19 pandemic, Ix believes in “staying put to help.” He says if he leaves alone, he’ll be “unable to live with himself.” Instead, he’ll traverse to Poland or Hungary if it’s absolutely needed, but his priority is to stay and support his neighbors.
In the words of a reliable source today: “We believe better synergy comes from staying and contributing locally than relocating back to Singapore.”
Quick Recap
- Ix Shen – 50, former TV actor, living in Kyiv.
- Experiencing explosions, sirens, and street traffic.
- Stays home due to safety concerns about travel.
- Maintains supplies; follows government rules.
- Ready to travel abroad if needed, but focuses on local support.
