Over the last few years, an Escape From Tarkov streamer known as Bobuubi has been broadcasting live from a real bunker in a military storage unit on the eastern edge of Ukraine, dangerously close to the conflict that has raged through the Donbas region for the better part of the last decade.
On his website, Bobuubi (or Bob) explains that his streams are the only source of income for his family, and that he's just trying to do his best to survive.
"I’m just sorry for those who lost their health, relatives, lives, or anything else in this conflict," he writes. "I’m not Ukrainian or Russian. I actually was born in Poland but I’ve spent most of my life abroad. I came to Ukraine many years ago to set the foundations for investment by a western capital group.
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"The location of the bunker and limitations of mobile internet might be easily avoidable in normal streaming conditions, but this is my only option. I’m sorry for this. I’m trying my best to keep the stream at the highest possible quality for everyone. Occasionally my stream is interrupted, due to the mobile internet connection."
Bob has been streaming in these dangerous conditions for years, and has amassed a modest but dedicated following on Twitch in that time. Last night, the ongoing Russian invasion into Ukraine finally forced Bob to flee.
On the evening of February 24 Bob was streaming with friends, as he regularly does, when he announced that he was going to have to leave.
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"I hope I'll be able to see you again," the heartbroken streamer told his viewers and teammates. "I'll drive to my family and I'll keep you updated."
Bob began to tear up as he thanked his followers for all their support, and expressed his wish that the conflict doesn't spread any further than it already has.
The footage has been widely circulated on Reddit, with thousands of users expressing their support and sympathy for Bob. The streamer is, of course, just one of an untold number of innocent citizens whose life has been utterly upended by the unfolding chaos.
Bob has yet to return to Twitch, but has been updating those concerned for his safety via Discord. He confirmed last night that he'd taken his family to a small town south of Kiev, and will attempt to find a safe path to western borders.
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"Thank you for your love and gigantic support," he wrote. "Thank You all from bottom of our hearts for keeping out heart alive and not lonely. In this hardest moments your contact and support kept our hope and us alive!"
You can currently donate to Bob via Patreon.
Featured Image Credit: Bobuubi via TwitchTopics: Twitch, World News, no article matching