Ukrainians Mykhailo and Nataliia Ivanchenko fled to Norway when Russian soldiers attacked in February. Yesterday they saw the leader of the occupiers declare parts of their own homeland as Russian. – Russia now has four new regions, said Russian President Vladimir Putin during the ceremony on Friday. Doesn’t dampen the fighting spirit – We’re not surprised. This already started when the Russians took over the Crimean peninsula in 2014. I think it is very important for Putin that Ukraine becomes Russian. It will not happen, this will not stop the Ukrainian people, says Mykhailo Ivanchenko. The married couple do not believe that the annexation will dampen the fighting spirit of the Ukrainian people, and they cannot understand that the Russians are settling in this way. – How is it possible that this can happen in 2022? It is completely incomprehensible that ordinary Russians allow them to take lives and attack people’s homes, says the married couple. During yesterday’s speech, the president made new threats – if the annexed areas are attacked. – Putin threatens nuclear weapons. What do you think about it? – We cannot rule out that happening. We don’t know what he’s thinking. Should Putin take the threats seriously, they do not think it will change the situation. – Yes, he will kill many people and pollute large areas, but that will not stop the Ukrainians, says Ivanchenko. – Used torture The couple is from Kharkiv, an area that Ukrainian forces have now liberated. Recently, they got in touch with friends and family who have lived six months under the occupiers’ violence. – People were very happy when the Russians withdrew. Our friends have had a very hard and difficult time. The Russians used torture, they say. Despite the fact that their home is now under Ukrainian control, it is difficult for the couple to return. – Our house is intact, but the battle is going on right nearby. It is impossible to say when it is safe to travel home, say Mykhailo and Nataliia Ivanchenko. – What do you think of the Russian president today? – You shouldn’t talk bad about anyone, but we don’t have anything good to say about him. Putin is stealing our country.
ttn-69
– Putin is stealing our country – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
