Khrystyna Mishchenko,
university student
“I didn’t feel any improvements, only in reverse. Nobody did anything to fix the road on my street for all of the winter, and I had to spend hours in traffic jams. I think in the past somebody would do something, but not now.”
Iryna Sytnykova,
pensioner
“I think all has got only worse. Cultural life has become more primitive. Economical problems have deteriorated: utilities are more expensive, prices for food have increased. Even though the authorities try to show they made lots of the innovations in favor of the poor, it isn’t true.”
Oleh Sobchuk,
frontman of S.K.Y. rock band
“Now we have a bit more bridges in Kyiv. But in general, life has got worse as I see by my friends and people in my circle. Medium-sized businesses have literally died. The Ukrainian language has become marginalized.”
Taras Kinko,
retired journalist
“I don’t feel any improvements, just in reverse. Kyiv city life has worsened, with many groceries closed. Many people died as they couldn’t find access to medical help. They closed a state clinic and illegally sold the building to some businessmen who have a lobby in the Kyiv City council. And the corrupt courts approved this deal.”
Kateryna Semenchenko,
street vendor
“Three years ago I could buy several garments every month, but not now. Last year my friend received Hr 100,000 after giving birth to her third child, but she says it’s still not enough. The cost of baby food and diapers has increased so much that she says it was easier for her to bring up her older children years ago.”
