The state of siege imposed by Russia in the occupied parts of Ukraine and the “evacuation” of civilians from Kherson are of great concern to those left behind in the areas. “Life here was already terrible, harsh and uncertain, and it’s only getting worse,” said a resident of Berdyansk in the southern Zaporizhia region.

First Kherson. Russian occupation authorities there plan to “evacuate” 50,000 to 60,000 civilians to other parts of the Russian-controlled region on the east side of the Dnieper River in the coming days. “This is just a veiled deportation,” said Yuri Sobolevski, deputy chairman of the Ukrainian Kherson board. He works from Kyiv but is in constant contact with officials and residents in Kherson.

According to Russian authorities, the eviction is necessary because of Ukrainian attacks on the city. These are provocations, says Sobolevsky. “Panic is being created, so people are leaving their homes and going to Russia. Due to the psychological pressure, a voluntary evacuation is out of the question.”

People who want to leave the country have to go to Russian territory, either to the annexed peninsula of Crimea or to Russia itself, where they have to go to a specific destination.

media silence

The driver estimates that there are currently 120,000 to 140,000 people in Kherson. “In the last few months, around 500 to 600 people have tried to flee to areas under Ukrainian control every day, but that has become almost impossible in recent weeks. The only option is via Crimea,” says Sobolevsky. So civilians are stuck on Russian territory.

The situation in southern Ukraine:

He advises the residents of Kherson to stay in the city and prepare for all possible scenarios. “That means stock up on enough food, water and medicine, and know where the emergency shelters are.” The Ukrainian army is advancing around Kherson, but due to a declared media silence, it’s unclear how close the troops are strategic port city.

In addition, communication with the city’s residents is difficult, partly due to the lack of stable internet. A Kherson resident with whom the NOS has been in contact for a long time says that for the time being there is little sign of the “evacuation” and the approaching Ukrainian army. They eagerly await what is to come.

The “evacuation” is done by ferries as the bridges were largely destroyed by Ukrainian attacks:

The ambiguity surrounding Kherson’s situation is fueling speculation about what lies ahead for the city. For example, there are fears that the Russians may have switched to “evacuation” and then use chemical weapons or breach the nearby dam on the Dnieper, according to deceased citizens of the city. Nevertheless, many residents, especially older ones, do not want to leave because they are too attached to their home soil.

state of siege

The state of siege imposed by Russia in the occupied territories is also causing uncertainty. The exact details have yet to be announced, but it is clear that citizens’ rights will continue to be curtailed.

Possible options include travel bans, deportation of residents, forced labor and confiscation of property and buildings “for military use”. “In any case, it’s bad news for our citizens,” said Sobolevsky, the refugee driver for the Ukrainian authorities in Kherson. According to him, “terrible things” are already happening in his region.

The greatest fear is that the male population will be interned or used in the Russian fight against Ukraine. “It’s not the case yet, but everyone fears the worst for their husband, father or son,” Yaroslava said via Telegram from Berdyansk. “Hopefully my husband is old enough, but you can’t rely on anything,” says fellow citizen Maroesja.

“Some are already working for the Russians,” says another woman from the occupied territory. “You have to. Anyone who didn’t cooperate has now been arrested or killed.” In their view, little will change in the state of siege.

According to residents, there is still some underground resistance in the occupied territories, ranging from partisan attacks to “silent” resistance, says Galina from the Zaporizhia region. “Around this fake referendum, people didn’t leave their homes for days so they didn’t have to vote.”

Despite this, most of the residents are trying to get on with their lives, says a man from Melitopol. ‘Only’, as far as possible. “It’s not life, it’s survival, and I don’t know how that’s going to end.”