A city with a Russian history, proclaim billboards across the Ukrainian city of Kherson, occupied by the Russian army since the first days of March. Others display the Russian flag, or quotes from Vladimir Putin.
Over the past five months, Moscow has appointed an occupation administration to run the Kherson region and ordered schools to teach the Russian curriculum. Local people are encouraged to apply for Russian passports to access pensions and other benefits.
The next stage of the Kremlins plan is a referendum, to add a dubious sense of legality to these facts on the ground, and create a pretext for bringing Kherson and other occupied parts of southern Ukraine into Russia, using an updated version of the 2014 Crimea playbook.
In a series of telephone interviews, people in Kherson reported minimal enthusiasm for a referendum, and described a nervous, unpredictable atmosphere in the city.
Residents remain unsure about what the next few months might bring: a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive to regain control, a protracted battle that turns the city to rubble, or Russia carrying out its sham referendum and annexing the territory.
You have to remember there was never any talk in Kherson of a referendum; no one thought about it before the war. Now it will be a referendum at gunpoint, said Kostyantyn, who worked in the IT sector before the occupation.
Even those who described themselves as largely apolitical said they were firmly opposed to voting in a referendum or joining Russia.
I will not go to the referendum, of course. I dont know anyone who will. I am not a political person and dont have strong opinions on politics but it is clear to me that a referendum is not right, said Svitlana, a former beauty salon employee who is now selling food items on the street to make ends meet.
Russian authorities have used intimidation to crush public opposition to their rule. A series of pro-Ukraine rallies that took place in March and April petered out after Russian soldiers shot stun grenades into the crowd and began detaining organisers at their homes.
In late May, the citys internet was rerouted through Russian servers, and all local media has either been shut down or stuffed with pro-Russia content.
Now complaints about the Russians are reserved for whispered conversations in kitchens. Residents describe the formerly bustling city of 300,000 as a ghost town. The official curfew begins at 10pm, but few people go out after five.
The noisy protest rallies have been replaced by an underground partisan movement. Posters and flyers surreptitiously placed around the city under cover of darkness threaten death to those who collaborate with the occupiers. In June, an official from the puppet authorities was killed in a bomb blast while on his way to work.
Others help Ukraine by sharing information. One person with whom the Guardian spoke said he had responded to a Facebook post back in March, seeking people living in occupied areas, and now regularly shares information with a contact from the Ukrainian security services.
I am not involved in any way in any underground organisations. I just pass on the information I see which factories are working with the occupiers, troop movements, Russian banks I see opening, he said.
The Kremlin reportedly plans to hold the referendum on 11 September. In June, the Russian-language news outlet Meduza cited three sources close to the Kremlin detailing a plan to hold referendums in four Ukrainian regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson and subsequently turn them into one new region of Russia.
There is a possibility that Russia will stall, hoping for military victories that bring the four regions under full control. Ukraine still holds major cities in the Donetsk region, such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, as well as Zaporizhzhia city.
According to some reports, however, ballots are already being printed. In late July, the Russian administration in Kherson invited people to put forward their candidacy as electoral officials.
In Zaporizhzhia, the chair of the regional parliament, Olena Zhuk, said she saw many signs that the Russians were preparing for a referendum soon in the occupied parts of the region. Lets start by saying any referendum would be illegitimate by Ukrainian law, by Russian law, by any law, she said in a telephone interview.
Formally annexing more Ukrainian territory may not have been in the Kremlins war plans from the beginning. Putins goal appears to have been a lightning march to Kyiv and the installation there of a pro-Russia puppet government, which would have kept Ukraine as a nominally independent state in Russias orbit.
That plan failed, and the focus moved to annexing larger chunks of southern and eastern Ukraine. In the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, the Russians appointed Volodymyr Saldo and Yevhen Balytskiy, former Ukrainian MPs, as the nominal heads of their administrations.
Saldo fell ill a month ago, and was reportedly airlifted to Moscow in a coma, amid rumours of poisoning.
In Zaporizhzhia, Zhuk said she knew Balytskiy personally and was shocked that he had decided to collaborate. She predicted, however, that the Russians would soon have little use for him. Nobody likes betrayers. It is a rule of life, she said.
Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning
These people are sent to the square in the first few days to say: Russia will help us. We are all brothers. But then in one or two months, when the people have been pacified a bit, other people will come and take real power.
Lower down the chain, the Russians have struggled to find Ukrainian officials to fill the ranks of their occupation administrations, particularly while the future is so uncertain.
No one wants to work for the Russians. They know it is a one-way ticket to hell, said Kostyantyn, the former IT worker. Russian television sometimes blurs the faces of officials to ensure they do not become targets for attacks.
One of the most visible figures of Russian rule in Kherson is Kyrylo Stremousov, a former anti-vaccine blogger who stood for mayoral elections in 2020 and received about 1.5% of the vote.
While there have been disappearances and reports of torture, the situation in the occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is different to the full-scale terror that Russian forces unleashed in Bucha and other occupied areas closer to Kyiv back in March. Here, the Russians have tried to launch something of a hearts and minds operation in parallel to the intimidation.
In one recent meeting in a park in the village of Mykilske, Stremousov told a crowd, most of whom were pensioners, that Russia was here to solve their problems, promising an improved economic situation and also using Kremlin rhetoric about so-called traditional values in opposition to the decadent west.
We want to return to the world where there is a real understanding of the word family and not a perverted form of it, where everyone can feel like part of one whole, he said.
The Russians want to open schools on 1 September using the Russian curriculum, and have placed adverts seeking teachers from Russia to retrain Ukrainian teachers.
The new administration has also renamed the Kherson National Technical University, dropping the word national, and has promised free tuition for anyone of any age who wants to study.
We are doing everything to make sure we can open our doors on 1 September and our first students can start their lives in comfortable surroundings, said the Russian-appointed rector, Halyna Raiko, in an interview for a pro-Russian television station in which she appeared visibly nervous and uncomfortable.
While nostalgia for the Soviet period and appeals to conservative social values may work on a segment of the older population, many people who remain in Kherson are hoping fervently for Ukraine to regain control over the city.
When we hear explosions, everyone rejoices it means Ukraine is coming closer, said Olena, a 45-year-old mother, but she conceded that this prospect also comes with its own set of fears.
We are waiting for the Ukrainian army, but of course we hope civilians dont die during the liberation. We love our city and dont want it to be turned into Mariupol, she said.
There is a fear, though, that if the Kremlin succeeds with its referendum plan and formally annexes the territory, a Ukrainian counteroffensive would become harder and more dangerous, and a Russian crackdown would be on the cards.
Everyone knows that Russia will fake the referendum results, said one person who runs an anti-Russia Telegram channel from inside Kherson, who asked not to use his name. They will feel even more empowered and start rounding up everyone who voted against.
See the rest here:
A referendum is not right: occupied Kherson looks to uncertain future - The Guardian
- Now It's Germany's Turn to Frustrate Allies Over Ukraine - The New York Times - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Nato is growing reckless over Ukraine and Russias German military leak proves it - The Guardian - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Putin the only winner as Poland's Tusk flounders over Ukraine border fight - POLITICO Europe - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Ukraines Zelensky struggles to draft more troops as Russia advances - The Washington Post - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Ukraine Slams the Door on Bringing Russian Gas to Europe - Bloomberg - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Ukraine first lady declines State of the Union invitation - The Hill - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Ukraine war: Germany under pressure to explain intercepted phone call - BBC.com - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Poland sees its most violent protest yet by farmers and supporters against Ukraine imports, EU rules - The Associated Press - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Ukraine hits behind frontlines as Odesa blasts rock Greek PM visit - Yahoo! Voices - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Even Without Speaker Johnson, Democrats Could Act to Save Ukraine Today - Kyiv Post - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- Key highlights of proposed bipartisan Senate package for border security and Ukraine - The Associated Press - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Senate releases border package with aid to Ukraine, Israel; House says DOA - Turn to 10 - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- What's in the bipartisan Senate package to aid Ukraine, secure U.S. border - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Putin casts the Ukraine conflict as a fight for Russia's survival as he seeks reelection - The Associated Press - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- US must not interfere Biden's advisor on possible dismissal of Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Dozens detained as Russian soldiers' wives call for their return from Ukraine - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Senators race to release their package of border policies and aid for Ukraine and Israel - CNBC - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Ukraine war live updates: World Court rules in favor of Kyiv on genocide case; Zelenskyy says EU aid sends clear signal to both Moscow and the U.S. -... - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Ukraine made surprisingly realistic decoys of weapons to fake out Russia - Business Insider - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Russia forced to use ancient tanks as materiel fails en masse in Ukraine, veteran says - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Russia Is Denied a Seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council - The New York Times - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Opinion | We Need to Reframe the Debate Over Ukraine - POLITICO - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- U.S. Envoy to NATO Says Aid to Israel Won't Come at Ukraine's Expense - The New York Times - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Army to Congress: Do your job so we can help Israel and Ukraine - POLITICO - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- DFC Commits $250 Million to Strengthen Food Security in Ukraine - DFC - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- What Ukraines operation against Russian-annexed Crimea means ... - openDemocracy - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Russia recruits Serbs and Cubans for war in Ukraine - Ukrainian World Congress - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Pressure Grows on Germany to Give Ukraine Long-Range Missiles - The New York Times - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- The bruising artillery battle in Ukraine has left a scar that is visible ... - NPR - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Military briefing: the advance of Ukraine's 'mosquito navy' - Financial Times - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- The fate of Ukraine funding lies in the balance with speaker's race - NPR - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- INTERVIEW: Planning the post-invasion return of citizens to Ukraine - UN News - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Ukraine and Impacted Countries Crisis - Emergency Appeal n ... - ReliefWeb - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Digital Collaboration between UK and Ukraine | BCS - BCS - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Called Up: Sergii Kryvtsov Called Up by Ukraine National Team - Inter Miami CF - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Are Ukraine's Airstrikes Inside Russia Strategically Effective in the ... - Foreign Policy - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- Today's D Brief: Hamas-Israel war; US reaction; Rain arrives in ... - Defense One - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- 5 policy issues the leaderless House faces, from Ukraine to NDAA to ... - NPR - October 10th, 2023 [October 10th, 2023]
- The Miles of Obstacles Slowing Ukraines Counteroffensive - The New York Times - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Russia-Ukraine War: Putin, Projecting Control, Tries to Contain Fallout From Mutiny - The New York Times - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- With Wagner's Future in Doubt, Ukraine Could Capitalize on Chaos - The New York Times - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Biden refers to Ukraine as Iraq when asked about Putin - The Hill - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Kremlin Says Only Hits 'Military' Targets After Ukraine Restaurant Strike - The Moscow Times - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Dark, damp and deathly: inside a hospital on Ukraine's front line - The Economist - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Russia mutiny revives stagnant talk of increasing Ukraine aid in Congress - POLITICO - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Opinion | Putin, Prigozhin and the Danger of Disorder - The New York Times - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Switzerland Blocks Sale of Leopard 1 Tanks Bound for Ukraine - Yahoo News - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Ukraine Situation Report: U.S. Replenishes Kyiv's Bradley Fighting Vehicle Force - The War Zone - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Prigozhin surrendered too quickly, occupiers in Ukraine did not have time to lose heart Ukraine's Foreign Minister - Yahoo News - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Netanyahu considering visit to Ukraine, Kyiv's envoy to Israel says - The Jerusalem Post - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- On this part of the eastern front, Russia is still on the attack - The Washington Post - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Cheap Russian drone a menace to Ukrainian troops and equipment - The Jerusalem Post - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Kremlin 'Welcomes' Vatican Peace Efforts Over Ukraine - The Moscow Times - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Why Ukraines Counteroffensive Is Off to a Slow, Bloody Start - The New York Times - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- Russia-Ukraine war latest: Kremlin reportedly threatened Wagner families as soldiers marched to Moscow - Yahoo News - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- New Books on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine - The New York Times - June 28th, 2023 [June 28th, 2023]
- An illustrated explanation of Russia's deportation of Ukrainians, from the war zone to a remote camp - USA TODAY - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Taiwan Ambassador Says Ukraine's Success Against Russia Will Help Deter China - The New York Times - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Russia reports hits on oil refineries and town near Ukraine - Yahoo! Voices - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Oligarch's Bell 427 Is The Ukrainian Military's Latest Helicopter - The War Zone - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- How Ukraine Followed the ISIS Playbook - Newsweek - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv To Hold First Person Video Drone 'Super Bowl' - The War Zone - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- U.S. Adds Aid to Ukraine to Deliver Ammunition for Drones and Artillery - The New York Times - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Russian Guards Beat and Tortured Kherson Prisoners, Leading to Deaths - The New York Times - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Equipment for Ukraine drawn from Kuwait wasnt combat-ready, IG says - Yahoo News - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- UN considers comparing drone attack on Moscow with constant shelling of Ukraine inappropriate - Yahoo News - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Opinion | 'America First' reasons why the U.S. should support Ukraine - The Washington Post - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Ukraine plays down talk of Bakhmut gains being start of counteroffensive - Reuters - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- EU tells ministers they must recalibrate China policy over support for Russia - The Guardian - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- United in Music: Over 500 young musicians perform Ukraines winning Eurovision entry - Classic FM - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Ukraine has choice of targets as it plots counteroffensive - The Guardian - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Russia denies reports of Ukrainian breakthroughs along front lines - Reuters - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Ukraine war: Inside the fight for the last streets of Bakhmut - BBC - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy: This may not be the last chapter of the Russian empire, but its an important one - The Guardian - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Russian woman convicted of desecrating grave of Putins parents - Al Jazeera English - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Putin runs out of "adequate responses", worst for Russia about to begin Ukraine's National Security and Defence ... - Yahoo News - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 443 of the invasion - The Guardian - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Ukraine war: WFP chief Cindy McCain says grain deal with Russia needed to feed world - BBC - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- A Ukrainian counterattack has the Wagner boss sounding alarms on a counteroffensive in 'full swing,' claiming Zelenskyy played everyone - Yahoo News - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]
- Russia says it repelled surge of Ukrainian attacks in the east - Reuters - May 12th, 2023 [May 12th, 2023]