The Impact of Occupation in Kherson: A Ukrainian Teen’s Story

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has left deep scars on the lives of those caught in the crossfire, particularly in regions like Kherson. Evhen Ihnatov, a Ukrainian teenager, reflects on the harrowing eight months of occupation his community endured in 2022. His experiences provide a poignant insight into the fear, oppression, and resilience of the Ukrainian people during this tumultuous period.

A Climate of Intimidation

Evhen’s recollections are filled with a sense of tragedy and bewilderment. He emphasizes that the Russian occupation was marked by a pervasive atmosphere of intimidation and violence. “What they did only worked because the occupation was short term. Had the occupation gone on, the screws would have gotten tighter,” Victoria Novikova, a senior researcher with The Reckoning Project, noted in an interview. This highlights the precarious nature of life under occupation, where fear kept many from openly resisting the new regime.

Despite the crackdown on public dissent, Evhen believes that the majority of local residents remained pro-Ukrainian. He observed that the few individuals who supported the Russian presence were predominantly elderly people, nostalgic for their Soviet-era past. These individuals were drawn to the promises made by Moscow, particularly the allure of increased pensions.

Daily Life Under Occupation

During the occupation, Evhen and his family faced constant threats from Russian soldiers. Ethnic Russian troops and Ukrainian fighters from the separatist Donbas region were often seen patrolling the streets, and their presence was a source of anxiety for local teenagers. In contrast, Evhen noted that ethnic Chechen soldiers were more relaxed, sometimes even offering food and sweets to the children.

To escape the oppressive environment in Kherson, Evhen and his seven siblings, along with their disabled mother, relocated to their grandmother’s house in a nearby village that was less heavily monitored. This move provided a temporary reprieve from the constant fear that enveloped the city.

Education Under Russian Control

The Russian authorities imposed a new educational curriculum across Kherson’s 174 public schools, aiming to indoctrinate the youth with pro-Russian ideology. By August 2022, officials, accompanied by masked soldiers, began visiting homes, threatening parents and offering monthly subsidies of $35 for each child who enrolled in a Russia-run school.

In the early weeks of the occupation, Kherson was the site of numerous protests as residents attempted to resist the new regime. However, the response from Moscow-appointed authorities was swift and brutal, resulting in the detention of hundreds of protesters in prisons and makeshift holding areas.

The cultural impact of the occupation was starkly evident when Russian forces looted the Kherson regional library, stealing first editions of Ukrainian literary classics and valuable artworks. Daria Herasymchuk, the library’s director, described the situation: “They are really maximally broken. Russians do absolutely everything to achieve that.”

Psychological Toll and Forced Recruitment

The psychological toll of the occupation was profound. Many residents turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, and some even bore the marks of prison tattoos. The Wagner Group, a notorious Russian paramilitary organization, began recruiting inmates from Russian prisons, promising them freedom and financial incentives. This led to a climate of fear where individuals were detained for minor offenses and subjected to forced labor and violence.

Evhen recounted his own experiences in the classroom, where teachers were often replaced by instructors from Russia or annexed Crimea, who were incentivized with pay as high as $130 a day. The focus of the curriculum shifted dramatically, with history classes emphasizing Russia’s “greatness” while reducing Ukrainian language instruction to a mere two lessons per week.

Abduction and Displacement

Tragically, Evhen’s family suffered a significant loss during the occupation. His mother, Tamara, passed away, and Evhen was only thirteen at the time. He recalls the heart-wrenching moment of burying her in the countryside, a memory that still haunts him. His elder brother, Vlad, was among those taken to a summer camp in Russia, where he was held against his will for a year before Evhen’s sister managed to bring him home.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children, highlighting the severity of the situation. Thousands of children were reportedly taken to summer camps in Crimea or Russia, never to return, a tactic Kyiv describes as a campaign of abduction and brainwashing.

Resilience Amidst Adversity

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Evhen and his family eventually moved back to Kherson just in time for the new school year, which began on September 1, 2022. The city, the administrative capital of the Kherson region, is located on the left bank of the Dnipro River and has been a focal point of the conflict.

Evhen’s aspirations for the future felt distant while living under Russian control. He survived the occupation with a mix of anxiety and dark humor, determined to maintain his identity despite the oppressive regime. The new curriculum, taught in Russian, sought to erase Ukrainian culture, but Evhen and his peers resisted by avoiding discussions about sensitive topics, fearing repercussions.

Conclusion

Evhen Ihnatov’s story is a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of overwhelming adversity. His experiences during the occupation of Kherson reveal the profound impact of war on the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly the youth. As the conflict continues, the stories of individuals like Evhen serve as reminders of the human cost of war and the enduring spirit of those who strive for freedom.

Key Facts

– Evhen Ihnatov, a Ukrainian teen, lived through the eight-month Russian occupation of Kherson in 2022.
– The occupation was marked by violence, intimidation, and the imposition of a pro-Russian educational curriculum.
– Many local residents remained pro-Ukrainian despite the crackdown on dissent.
– Evhen’s mother died during the occupation, and his brother was forcibly taken to Russia.
– The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.

Source: www.aljazeera.com