Roma Sobol is not your typical musician in an indie band. But in Ukraine there is no typical.
Drummer
Roma works a professional drummer, a dental assistant in a mobile unit on the front lines, and a chaplain. He is married and a father of two littles.
Ed Dickson introduced me to him over coffee (what else) in Kyiv.
He drums for Brunettes Shoot Blondes, a Ukrainian indie rock band, founded in early 2010 and based out of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.
Since the war started. the band has raised funds for the Musicians Defend Ukraine Foundation.
The Foundation supports musicians serving as soldiers on the front lines.
Brunettes Shoot Blondes in concert
Espresso Maker
I met Roma after he had returned from a concert tour of Europe, and most recently from a trip to the front lines.
Soldiers look forward to his visits. His arrival signals help is on the way! He is either serving through a mobile dental clinic where he is a dental assistant or as a chaplain/espresso maker and praying for soldiers.
He uses a coffee machine called the Saeco Royal Professional. It’s an old model, but it’s good quality and makes delicious coffee. He has a 3kW inverter in his van, so he just plugs it in there if there’s no electricity.
Roma says his coffee maker is way past its retirement date, but he’ll use it until it brews its last cup.
Father
We talked about the danger he faces as a father with a young family. He pointed out that there are many other fathers with young kids of their own fighting for Ukrainian freedom. Those fighters are in the line of fire 24/7. He at least gets to go home to be with his family at the end of a day.
Is he ever afraid? His response is typical of Ukrainians, absent of bravdo. He focuses his attention and energy on what needs to be done and that occupies his brain. 
Assisting a dentist is something he never imagined doing, but it fills a need. He drives the mobile unit and supports dentists with whatever they need: holding a flashlight, handing them utensils, or sanitizing the unit after each patient. Can you imagine a soldier with an impacted tooth having the care of a dentist while under fire? 
Ukrainians, like Roma, are doing whatever it takes to support the war effort. Remember them in your prayers. Email me bob.pb.jones@gmail.com if you’d like to know how you can support Roma.
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