The news of the Bolshevik capture of the Winter Palace is being refuted. The fighting is ongoing. From the balcony you can see the sky being illuminated by incessant lightning-like flashes. And you can hear dull blasts. It would appear that they’re shooting from the Palace as well – firing on the Neva and the Aurora. They’re not surrendering. But – they’re almost completely unprotected: there’s no one left but the cadets, the Shock Battalion and the Women’s Battalion.
Kerensky departed first thing in a private vehicle. Managed to steal away after all! Meanwhile, this lot – guilty of nothing but their pawnlike status and obedience – must endure heavy gunfire.
If they’re still alive, that is.