After eight days of offensive, the Russian army took control of Melitopol, Berdyansk and Kherson, three important cities in Ukraine. Three others, Mariupol, Enerhodar and Mykolaiv, are now surrounded. The testimonies collected by The world describe precarious but very different situations.
At the end of a six-day battle, Wednesday March 2, Kherson fell, thus becoming the first large Ukrainian city, 290,000 inhabitants, occupied by Russian troops. According to Ukrainian media, thirty-eight residents died. Kherson Mayor Igor Kolykhayev met with the commander of Russian troops, who plans to create a military administration in the city. He also announced an impending humanitarian disaster and the need for a corridor to allow people who so wish to leave the area.
“The Russians have organized absolutely nothing for the supply of the population, laments Inna – who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons. The situation begins to become critical. We were able to buy water [la plupart des Ukrainiens considèrent l’eau du robinet non potable]. There is bread, but many products are starting to run out. During the first days, the supermarkets were looted by Russian soldiers but also by locals. Fortunately, since yesterday, there is no more looting. » On the other hand, cash is scarce. “I know a lot of people who are already broke. »
Caution of the occupier
Inna, contacted by telephone, said she was afraid to go out in the street and limited her movements to the maximum. “My husband and I are worried that the Russians will come to our house and take all the food. Yesterday, they entered all the houses one by one. » Those who live in the city center still have water and heating because the tubes and cables are well buried there, she said. The others, in the peripheral districts, heavily bombarded by the Russians, have had neither water nor electricity for several days, and therefore no heating, despite the freezing temperatures.
Inna’s building has come under fire and she frequently hears loud bangs. “The Russian tanks move very slowly through the streets, as if to intimidate us. So, we move away from the windows, we take refuge in the bathroom. » “When they took over the city, the Russians had fun shooting Ukrainian flags at buildings, including from their tanks, she says. I also saw a good hundred soldiers taking selfies in front of a public building, to show that they were indeed occupying Kherson. » His stepfather, 70, went to meet the soldiers to see what they looked like: “They are very young and are as scared as us, according to him. »
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