“Here, 95% of the population supports Russia“, emphasizes Natalia, a shopkeeper in Lyman, a city just liberated by the Ukrainian army. The atmosphere is therefore heavy for the soldiers who patrol the streets, under the black gaze of the inhabitants.This city has always been Ukrainian, it has only been Russian for less than six months, but it must be understood that among the population there are many inhabitants who support Moscow’s positions“, describes Evgueni, a member of the special forces.
Pro-Russian Lyman? Natalia is convinced of this, with supporting evidence: “I know this because I talk to people. Here, the population did not welcome the arrival of the Ukrainian army, unlike other liberated cities.” The shopkeeper did a small survey on her scale. Of the sixteen occupied houses in his street, only two support Ukraine. “They are nostalgic for the Soviet Union and would like to live like thirty years ago”, explains Yevgueni, bulletproof vest over his shoulders.
To this is added a sourness of the inhabitants, who suffered the Ukrainian bombardments, carried out during the reconquest towards the east. This is the case with Masha, who did not celebrate the release of Lyman. “Ukraine crushed us with bombs, thirteen missiles crashed into my garden. We lived in the basement for a month,” says the resident.
“I say what I think: I am against fascism, and here around us, people dare not speak. Me, I am too tired to be afraid.”
Masha, pro-Russian resident of LymanFrance Info
When Masha is asked who from Ukraine or Russia started this war, the resident replies that she does not know. The question makes Volodymyr, who was listening to the conversation, react: “Russia started this war on February 24 because it wanted to expand its territory. Russia has already annexed Crimea, and now Putin wants to take Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions.” After driving out the Russians, the Ukrainian army waves its blue and yellow flag over Lyman. But now it must win the hearts of the locals.
And the task promises to be difficult because the inhabitants are not at the end of their suffering. Restoring electricity, water and gas would already be a strong argument. After the hell of the bombs, they are indeed preparing to face the cold of the Ukrainian winter. “It’s a disaster. This situation is driving us crazyconfides Valentina who pushes a bicycle on a road. We have been waiting for humanitarian aid for three days.”
“There is no electricity, no water, no gas, no wood. There is no material to rebuild. No nails, no cement, nothing.”
Valentina, a resident of Lymanat franceinfo
“We weren’t ready for that. I don’t know how we’re going to survive.despairs Valentina. I do not have any more strenght”. The situation seems insurmountable, especially for the most vulnerable. “You see, I need a cane to walk because I’m 85testifies Klavdia who lives with her son in a partially damaged house. I am looking for water. There is no bread either. It has not yet been delivered. In my house, there is not a single window left. It is very cold. At night, we sleep with several blankets. That’s our life.”
It will take more than blankets to face the approaching freezing temperatures. But how to do when the city lacks everything. “We are all very scared”, says Ludmilla, whose house was spared. She fears the worst.
“The windows of the houses have been blown out. People have put plastic on them, but it won’t be enough. It’s as if they were living outside.”
Ludmilla, a resident of Lymanat franceinfo
“Temperatures will drop. It will be minus 10, minus 20, maybe minus, there will be a lot of snowshe continues. It will be impossible to survive in these conditions.” The inhabitants have therefore engaged in a race against time to carry out the most urgent repairs, windows or broken doors, before winter.