Despite the disappointment, some in the Ukrainian city of Kherson refuse to leave – #disappointment #Ukrainian #city #Kherson #refuse #leave
Kherson, UkraineFeb 23 (Reuters) – Vladislav Antoniuk felt euphoric when he returned to his hometown of Kherson three months ago, Ukraine His troops returned and the inhabitants rejoiced holiday They waved blue and yellow flags in the main square to do so.
Recapture of the only regional capital captured by Russia during the invasion, of Ukraine It was the biggest victory of the counter-offensive operation carried out in the second half of last year, it raised hopes throughout the country and displaced people flocked to their homes.
But three months later of Ukraine their progress stalled and the grim reality emerged. The Russian soldiers retreating across the Dnieper River have not retreated further and are shelling the city with artillery every day.
Many residents have already gone a second time with the encouragement of the district leaders.
It is not 46-year-old Antoniuk who says that he will not go anywhere: “This is my city. People help each other in their own ways,” he said.
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But Vasil Nezgoda is not so sure. Two weeks ago, a Russian Grad missile hit the roof of his apartment building. He moved to his friend’s house and is staying in the city for now.
“But if things get worse, I’ll go.”
Residents endured eight months of what many described as a brutal Russian occupation. Ukraine authorities are investigating hundreds of cases of disappearances and physical or sexual abuse of prisoners by former occupiers.
However, high hopes that the return of the city to Ukrainian control would bring it back to normal were not realized. These days the central square is deserted. on Wednesday Russia shells hit the bus stop in the center of the city, killing 6 people and injuring dozens.
Officials estimate that only 50,000 remain from a pre-war population of 279,000, and they are now advising those who remain to leave the city, as long as it remains within range of Russian guns across the river.
“It is better for people to leave and save their lives and health until we are 30-40 kilometers away from the enemy,” – Kherson Regional Military Head of Administration, military Alexander Prokudin, who takes an equal position in the situation, said. the governor.
He spoke to Reuters outside Kherson’s stately administration building, which lost several windows after nearby explosions shattered glass. According to him, the administration volunteers every day on trains and buses 10It evacuates about 0 people from the city.
Most don’t go far. While the population of the city of Kherson is decreasing, Ukraine fruit Other Ukrainian-controlled areas farther from the front line, known as the basket, receive more people.
39-year-old Prokudin only since February 7, the president Vladimir Zelensky He started work after dismissing a number of government officials saying that it was necessary to clean up internal problems. Prokudin before Kherson region National Police He headed the department.
He faces a tough sell and urges some of the guards to leave.
“We will stop here,” said 60-year-old Ihor Vlasenko, who works at a heating company. “I don’t think of going.”
Reporting by Rod Nickel in Kherson, Ukraine Editing by Peter Graff
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Bar Nickel
2023-02-23 14:57:22
Source – reuters
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