In Kherson, Celebration Turns to Apprehension Amid Food, Power Shortages
November 18, 2022 4 min 709 words
昨天不还在庆祝所谓的解放吗？赫尔松这种拖油瓶是的城市，谁拿谁倒霉
KHERSON, Ukraine—In this recently retaken southern Ukrainian capital, the celebratory dancing to music on the main square has been replaced by a more humdrum physical activity: jostling for bread and water.
When Russia pulled its forces from Kherson earlier this month, they left it with no electricity, water, heat or cellphone service. Ukrainian officials have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis and urged those who had left during the occupation not to return. Similar challenges are emerging elsewhere in the country, too, as the impact in Russia’s shift in strategy toward pummeling civilian infrastructure becomes clearer as winter sets in.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a late night address Thursday that more than 10 million Ukrainians are currently without electricity, adding that Kyiv, Odessa and Sumy were among the hardest hit.
The situation in Kherson, the only regional capital that the Russians had taken since the beginning of the war in February, is significantly worse.
“The Russians did everything they could to leave nothing in the region,” Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, wrote on social media. “And we are doing what we can for the region to have everything.”
Ukrainian officials have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis in Kherson. Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
A destroyed vehicle at an office block that was used as a headquarters by Russian forces in Kherson. Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
About one-quarter of Kherson’s prewar population of 320,000 remain in the city. Revelers who packed the square in recent days to celebrate the return of the Ukrainian army were absent Friday as the temperature plunged toward freezing. Instead, crowds of several hundred jostled to receive necessities, including food and diapers, from trucks parked on the main square. The regional governor, Yaroslav Yanushevych, stood near the trucks trying to restore order. “People, be respectful,” he called. “One by one.”
He then launched into a rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem, and the crowd joined in.
Advertisement - Scroll to Continue
As they waited for aid, sometimes just potatoes, water and bread, people said that while conditions were bad, they were relieved that the Russian forces left.
“We’re living badly, but we’re waiting for the utilities to be repaired,” said Olga Pilipchuk, 58 years old. She wasn’t sure what she was waiting in line for, but was hoping to get some kind of food or personal-hygiene products. “We’re still super happy, and these problems can’t undo our happiness.”
Valentina Sherbakova, 49, was trying to find diapers for a co-worker who has a child. The ones that remained in stores were too expensive.
Advertisement - Scroll to Continue
“Yes, it’s uncomfortable, but we can finally walk in the streets without fear,” she said.
Specially-equipped tents were being put up around Kherson, Mr. Tymoshenko said Friday, where people could go to warm up, get hot drinks and food, charge their phones and use the Internet.
Locals said the euphoria of the past few days was fading amid wet and cold weather and the size of the challenge ahead. “We’re slowly coming back to figuring out our daily problems, the lack of electricity and water,” said a man who stood smoking on the main square, discussing with a friend when the next supply truck might arrive.
Ukrainian authorities said they aim to restore electrical power to the city, as they try to make it habitable ahead of winter.
Advertisement - Scroll to Continue
Fighting in the Kherson region has continued since the city was retaken by Ukrainian forces. Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Three neighboring regions are sending aid to the city, from food and water to ambulances, firetrucks and buses. Other regions are putting together teams to help restore infrastructure including the water, gas and road systems. Ukraine’s state rail company is set to dispatch its first passenger to Kherson from Kyiv on Friday evening.
Private citizens and companies are also helping out. Cellphone providers are restoring cell towers.
Advertisement - Scroll to Continue
Two cafes opened Friday including one called Aroma that was powered by a generator that residents were also using to charge their cellphones. Baristas smiled as they served cappuccinos and lattes.
—Ian Lovett contributed to this article.
Write to Matthew Luxmoore at [email protected] and James Marson at [email protected]