How will the lives of the inhabitants change when they are occupied by the Russian army?

In fact, the Russian army has occupied only one of the major cities in Ukraine, Kherson in the south.

We will read the present of 300,000 cities, where protest demonstrations are reported, with the testimony of the residents.

Why is the Russian army in Kherson?

A slab taiga that runs from Russia through Belarus to Ukraine.

Kherson is a waterway hub located at the mouth of the Dnipro River, the Russian word for the Dnieper River, which flows into the Black Sea.



The importance of Russia's military operations this time is evident from its proximity to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia unilaterally annexed in 2014, and its way to the port city of Odesa.

In early March, a week after the start of the military invasion, it was reported that "Kherson had fallen for the first time as a major city," and on the 15th, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had complete control of the entire state.



Kherson is an important city that can serve as a base for Russian troops as it marches along the Black Sea to Mykolaiv in the west and Odesa in the west.

In early March, a resident man told us on our SNS that "Since the day the Russian troops occupied Kherson, Ukrainian soldiers have disappeared from the city at all. It occupies the government building and the station. "

In addition, the TV tower was also occupied by the Russian army, and the inhabitants could only watch programs from Russian broadcasters.



Russia has a glimpse of referendums, plans, and occupation policies aimed at establishing a pro-Russian "republic."

Isn't it scary to protest against Russian troops?

More attention was paid to Kherson in the ongoing protest demonstrations.

It was also reported that people gathered in the square with the Ukrainian flag, and the inhabitants of the round waist surrounded Russian soldiers and military vehicles with guns in their hands.



To suppress this, the Russian army fired tear gas bullets and rubber bullets.

Protests continue intermittently, and tensions continue, with local media reporting that two people were injured in a clash on March 21 and Russian troops fired tear gas bullets on March 22.

Shevchenko (a pseudonym), a smartphone salesperson who participated in the demonstration, said in an interview on the 24th, "We want democracy, so we are not afraid if the Russian army fires at the demonstration." rice field.



On the other hand, it seems that we have heard information that hesitates to participate in the demonstration.


"Ukrainian media reports that some residents have been kidnapped by Russian troops, raising fears among them. The city was blocked by Russian troops and tried to drive away from the city. I also heard that he was shot by the



Russian army. "Also, several residents testify that the appearance of Russian soldiers is different from before the occupation and now.



"Soldiers in the city immediately after the occupation were dressed in green uniforms, but are now replaced by soldiers in black. Guns and other equipment are better equipped. Enter the city first. I suspect that the soldiers headed west to capture Mykolaiv. "

Has your life changed?

Residents are complaining about a serious shortage of supplies.

Food and medicines are no longer being delivered from the outside.



It is said that the Russian army distributed food at the central square, but many of the residents refused to receive it.

Residents who have a relatively large stockpile of food are helping each other by distributing them to families who lack them.



Shevchenko is also involved in volunteer activities to collect medicines and deliver them to hospitals, but it is said that it is getting worse day by day.



"The medicines are starting to run out. For example, there are no more medicines for surgery or treating cancer patients. There are not enough supplies for those who need immediate help."

“Ukrainian troops are rewinding” Really?

But now it is reported that Ukrainian troops are trying to make a comeback in Kherson Oblast.



A senior Pentagon official said on March 25, "Russia's rule does not seem to be as strong as it used to be. The Ukrainian side is trying to regain Kherson, and the offense and defense are continuing again."



Shevchenko said, "It may be a long way, but I believe the Ukrainian army will release Kherson again," he told himself.



On the 27th, Ukrainians were evacuating to Isaccea in neighboring Romania one after another.

Some of them have fled Kherson Oblast, but the situation does not seem to be improving.



▽ 34-year-old mother


"I have run out of groceries in the store yesterday. It is a humanitarian crisis. I think Kherson will soon be like Mariupol."


▽ 9-year-old boy


"I was scared when there was an explosion near my house. I want the war to end sooner. "



(NHK has used some place names derived from Russian, but in principle changed the name to match the Ukrainian language.)



[International Department, Ryota Yamashita, Sydney Branch, Midori Aoki (Isakucha, Romania)]