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While four regions of Ukraine under almost total or partial control of Russian forces vote until Tuesday in referendums of annexation by Russia, some Ukrainians have preferred to flee. Example with this history professor confronted with the forced Russification of southern Ukraine. A report by Gwendoline Debono, France 24’s special envoy in Ukraine.
In regions emptied of their inhabitants and where those who remain do not really have a choice, the results of the annexation referendums by Russia are hardly in doubt. Some Ukrainians prefer to flee rather than lend themselves to this “simulacrum” of democracy like this history teacher who refused to teach in the Russian language despite pressure from local authorities.
Ten days ago, she left the Berdyansk region, occupied by Russian forces in the early days of the invasion. Every day, she records lessons for her students who have remained in the occupied zone.
At the end of June, Victoria and her fellow teachers were summoned by Russian soldiers. They ordered them to teach the Russian curriculum, in the Russian language, and to train in Crimea.
“We were summoned twice. The first time, they rounded us up. The soldiers told us that we had to cooperate, in a rather firm way, we refused and they said ‘okay, we will bring our teachers. At first we didn’t feel threatened. Two weeks later, we were summoned once more, by other soldiers. The commander was very, very tough, and we were locked in a room. .Psychologically, it was hard,” she says.
Two months later, Victoria and her family had no choice and had to leave.
A school in the city where she took refuge offered her a job. Victoria has chosen to continue teaching her students who are studying in hiding remotely.