While a counter-attack is being prepared there, several hundred civilians are trying to reach the region of Kharson, in the south of the country. We met some of them, determined to take risks, in the hope of finding their homes.
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Vitaly has been patient for more than two weeks in a parking lot in Zaporizhia, in central Ukraine. He wants to return to his home in Kherson, in the south of the country where the Ukrainian forces are nevertheless calling on civilians to flee before launching an offensive against the Russian army. But only 30 vehicles per day are allowed to leave the premises. “There is no job here, the government gives me 2,000 grivna a monthexplains the Ukrainian. With that, I can’t even rent an apartment. At least, at home: I have a roof.”
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The authorities delay Vitaly’s departure by telling him that this trip is too dangerous. “They may be right but in the end I’m free to do whatever I wantlaunches Vitaly. If I want to go home: it’s my choice! I’m not the only one, there are plenty of people here who have relatives in Kherson. We can be warned yes – but not banned.”
They are several hundred in his situation. Vitaly and his family will be escorted by the Ukrainian army, up to a point. He knows it because it’s the second time he’s made the round trip: “The soldiers accompany us to the last Ukrainian checkpoint, but then I end up alone! So, between the two front lines, we are on our own.” And when asked if he does not feel between two fires, Vitaly answers: “Obviously it’s super dangerous…and we’ve been shot before.”
The risks taken by these refugees say a lot about their reception and living conditions. To Zaporizhia, their only shelter is their car. Romane and Yaroslav are listening to music. They live in the Donbass – right next to Sloviansk. The artillery fire there is very intense at the moment but who cares, they want to repair their houses before it collapses. Only problem and not the least: they do not really know where they are setting foot. “We know absolutely nothingexplains one of them. You can just read a few testimonials on the internet.”
“We know that the Russians behaved badly in Izium for example. But it’s the Ukrainian news so it’s not clear at all. We’ll see on the spot, we’re really going to feel our way there.”
Romane and Yroslav, Ukrainiansat franceinfo
Before leaving, these thousands of people wait in very difficult conditions. Pregnant women and children are treated as homeless in their own country.