After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian occupiers did not abandon their intention to create new so-called “people’s republics” such as the DNR and the LNR. Kherson became an important city to achieve this goal. This is where collaborators under the muzzles of the Russian military want to hold an unrecognized referendum to achieve their key goal – to create a land connection with Crimea and dominate southern Ukraine. However, Russia’s initiative has met intense resistance from the local population.
Residents of Berdyansk, Kherson, Melitopol and Kakhovka rallied against the Russian occupation in March and April. Eyewitnesses heard gunshots at a rally in Kherson in early April, but it is not clear where they fired – in the air or in the crowd. The Russians used light and noise grenades to disperse people, as a result of which several Kherson residents were injured.
The Russian occupiers held a meeting in Kherson to present the newly appointed head of the regional administration and head of the city administration. Kherson Mayor Igor Kolikhayev said he had refused to cooperate with the new administration appointed by the Russian occupiers. The Russian police circle out journalists, civic activists, anti-terrorist operation veterans, local terrorists, and local governments in the occupied areas. It has become dangerous to take an active pro-Ukrainian position.
Ukrainians continue to resist despite all threats and repression by the Russian occupiers. Ukraine in Flames #51 is dedicated to how the temporarily occupied cities of Ukraine remain unconquered and how Ukrainians are resisting the occupiers.
Speakers:
- Lyudmyla Tkachenko, head of Novhorod-Siverska city territorial community, Chernihiv region
- Yevhenii Velychko, mayor of Voznesensk, Mykolaiv region.
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center, Ukrainian Catholic University’s analitical center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.
