VIDEO
EXCLUSIVE
The following in an interview with Ukrainian Member of Parliament Pavlo Pavlish of the ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction on April 12 about the situation in Kherson Region.
[Klitina] Good afternoon Pavlo Pavlish! I would like to ask you for your comment on the situation in Kherson. Please comment, if you maintain contact with any locals, what is going on there? What is the situation in general? How is the mood there?
[Pavlish] Good afternoon. Indeed, I maintain contact with the residents of Kherson and Kherson Region. I would like to point out that from the very first minutes of the invasion of Kherson Region, as the region bordering the temporarily-occupied territory of Crimea, felt the first blows. From the day of invasion on February 24, Russian troops entered the territory of Kherson Region from Crimea. On March 1, Russian troops entered the city of Kherson. Thus, Kherson has been under occupation by Russian troops since March 1. Links to the city, in particular economic and humanitarian, do not exist. The Ukrainian authorities have attempted to establish a humanitarian corridor with the help of the Red Cross mission. However, this humanitarian corridor did not materialize. Russian occupation forces did not let in vehicles with humanitarian aid.
[Klitina] I understand the situation is difficult. There is one more issue I would ask you to comment. We all have seen the situation in Bucha which was far from safe. How safe is the situation for residents in Kherson? We have seen many protests in support of Ukraine. Do the residents feel safe? What is going on there now?
[Pavlish] Facts similar to those established in Bucha are, thank God, not taking place in Kherson and in Kherson Region. And it is clear why. The occupiers are totally responsible for the civilians who are under occupation in the city of Kherson and Kherson Region. This is basically the only regional center and the only region that is controlled by the Russian military. Thus, it is rather disadvantageous for them to demonstrate crimes and atrocities. On the contrary, it is in their favour to demonstrate that Kherson is living a normal life, unlike the rest of Ukraine’s territory. Indeed, local residents are in an emotionally depressed condition. Indeed, this occupation does not bring many positive outlooks in life, work or the economy, since the majority of economic ties have been interrupted. There is no usual possibility to enter or exit Kherson or Kherson Region. No evacuation, in particular with the help of the Red Cross, is taking place.
[Klitina] What forecasts can you make regarding the situation in the city? Are any evacuation corridors or humanitarian aid planned or negotiated? Are there any positive outlooks?
[Pavlish] Negotiations are taking place constantly with respect to the organization of humanitarian corridors, the evacuation of civilians, as well as food and medical supplies to the city, of which there is the severe shortage. However, such negotiations have not yet produced any positive results. The people wishing to leave Kherson city or Region now take their own transport and do not use the regulated corridors but have to make their way through block posts. The road takes a lot of time and it is emotionally exhausting. It is also rather unsafe due to occasional shooting from both sides: the Russian troops on the one side and the Ukrainian army on the other. In the absence of agreed corridors there may of course be provocations from the occupational troops.
[Klitina] I have my last question. How many residents currently remain in the city as, in fact, hostages under occupation?
[Pavlish] It is difficult to say precisely, since no-one has counted up the number of people who managed to make their way out of Kherson city and Kherson Region but the majority of city residents remain in the city. There are more than 200,000 of them for sure.
[Klitina] Over 200,000 is a lot indeed. Thank you very much for your comments and let us keep in touch.
Kherson is Ukraine!
[Klitina] Stay strong, Kherson is Ukraine!
[Pavlish] Slava Ukrayini!
[Klitina] Heroyam slava!
