War in Ukraine: Ukrainian civilians resist Russian occupation

In the north of the city of Chernihiv (Ukraine)disfigured by the bombardments, he everywhere remains traces of the debacle of the Russian army. She stayed a month in this now liberated area. A whole region rose up against the occupier from day one. At the entrance to the city, a demonstration of 2,000 people took place on February 25, in protest against the Russian soldiers. A discussion ensued. “We told them that no one wanted them, that we had a very good life without them (…), that they had to come back”says a Ukrainian. The Russian soldiers remained, but the demonstration took place without violence.

These are acts of bravery that mark the spirits, likeAnatoly Koulgeika, who was wanted by Russian soldiers. “He had the list of all those who had weapons in town”explains a Ukrainian. When the Russian soldiers arrived at his house, Anatoly preferred to blow himself up with a grenade rather than deliver information to them. “I understand why he did this, but I didn’t want it to happen to him”said his wife, crying. The inhabitants of Ripky (Ukraine)now liberated, come to see the remains of the blown up Russian military vehicles. “The rejection and the courage of the local population also contributed to scaring them away, a fact that the Russians had certainly underestimated”concludes journalist Marc de Chalvron.