Katerina Korzenevska has lived in Kherson for her entire 28-year life. In a region that is partially occupied by Russia. Kherson is her hometown, a city she refused to leave for a long time. There she lived in the same street as her grandmother and aunt. Then the dam in the Russian-controlled town of Nova Kakhovka was destroyed. 30 towns were affected by the flume. Katerina’s house was filled with water. She did not manage to save either clothes or furniture. When she left there, only the roof of the house stuck up above the surface of the water. – I have lost everything I had. Nothing is wrong, she told news. They had no choice. They had to evacuate. On Friday morning, they came by train to the neighboring town of Mykolajiv. 600 square kilometers in Kherson county is covered by water. Photo: AP Many people flee here and the residents have collected clothes for those who come. They are in a big pile at the train station. Katerina looks through the bags – trying to find clothes that will fit her, her grandmother and her aunt. My hometown Kherson was occupied by Russia for several months. In November, the city was liberated by Ukrainian forces. Although the city has been subjected to constant attacks, Katerina has chosen to stay. On Thursday, she heard the sound of Russian attacks again. – It is inhumane, she says and shakes her head. People are sitting in attics and rooftops, without electricity, food or water – and are waiting to be evacuated. The residents of Mykolajiv have collected clothes for those who come. Photo: Gunnar Bratthammer 68 percent of the flooded areas are on the Russian-controlled side. Thousands will be waiting for help here. Aid organizations have not yet been allowed in here. On the Ukrainian side, there are local aid organizations helping people. Equal flow in the water on the Russian side Russia says that they have evacuated 4,000 people, and that they are doing everything they can to help those affected by the disaster. However, this is rejected by Yevhen Ryshtyuk, who is a Ukrainian exile in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky. Russia and Ukraine owe each other to destroy the Kakhovka dam. Photo: Reuters He told AP that people who have tried to leave the area have instead been forced back by Russian soldiers, and that they have stolen boats from volunteers. Citizens inside Olesjky are also said to have told him that corpses float in the water. Bønfell aid organizations for aid According to Erik Abild, regional manager responsible for Ukraine in the Red Cross, the organization is waiting for access to enter the area: – There is ongoing communication, and they are ready to enter. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has also pleaded with aid organizations to enter the Russian-controlled areas in Kherson county, and help those whom “the Russians have sentenced to death”. The Red Cross is on the Ukrainian side to help with the evacuation. Photo: Red Cross The future is uncertain on both sides, and back at the train station, Katerina is unsure of what the next few days will bring. – What are you going to do going forward? – We will be here for a couple of days and try to settle down. I have no idea what happens afterwards, says Katerina.
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Katerina’s hometown was first occupied – now it is under water – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
