History of the war. Kherson region: "The Russian military put a machine gun to a baby stroller of one woman"

The Makariv family told Espreso.West about their history, as well as about how Ukrainians live in the Kherson region now.

You can't run away

With the outbreak of a full-scale war, Russian troops began to mercilessly bomb and shell Ukrainian cities and villages.  Many people have decided to look for a safer place somewhere: in the western regions, where it is relatively calm, or abroad.

Father Igor Makar and his family remained in the Kherson region until the last moment. However, on the day when the Russian troops began to invade in different directions and took up positions in the village where the priest's family lives, it became clear that it was better not to risk the lives of four children. They set off on their journey with almost no belongings. In their car (where there is not enough space for six people), several more people took it. The main thing is to be saved.

"I thought about taking the children and returning back. My wife said that she was going home with me. However, the Russian military entrenched themselves in positions. We cannot return yet. Friends suggested that we go abroad, but we did not consider this option. My Masha says she is ready to die here, and will not go anywhere", Father Igor says.

What is happening in the Kherson region?

A significant part of the Kherson region is temporarily occupied by Russian troops.  There are constant shellings. People are hiding. The Antonivsky bridge across the Dnieper River is a strategic object, which the invaders constantly guard. There is no entrance to Antonivka, no exit from there on either side. Only people who are registered there are allowed into the village. Now even relatives living a few kilometers from each other can hardly see each other. Cars are checked very carefully.

The Makariv family is constantly in touch with their parishioners. It is difficult for them, because they cannot yet return and support people. The rest is even more difficult: there are Russian soldiers on the streets.

"My parishioners were hiding from shelling in our church. And then they have to sit in shelters. The children have already begun to distinguish by sound how far the rocket is flying from them and whether it is necessary to quickly run to the store. When we left, military equipment was standing on the outskirts of the village. Very close", says the priest.

From the beginning of the invasion, there was no electricity in Antonivka for 12 days.  In the villages nearby, problems began with the supply of food and medicine.  Cargoes are on the way, humanitarian aid is being collected by Ukrainians, and it is also being provided from abroad. But the invaders do not allow cars to pass.

Residents of Antonivka use the supplies of Makar's father's family.  He allowed food to be taken and distributed to those in need.  He says there were stocks of cereals, vegetables, and frozen foods. Now, under the conditions of occupation, this is a treasure. There are also drug issues.  Insulin is also taken from the priest's first aid kit (he has diabetes). With other medicines it is much more difficult.

In Zelenivka there is an opportunity to buy some products, such as vegetables, flour. However, only for cash. It is not always possible to get it, ATMs give out small amounts, because there is no delivery.  People can pay by card only when refueling the car. Father Igor is looking for help in charitable organizations, because the only way he can help his people now is the transfer of funds. He managed to buy frozen food, meat, and also negotiated with a man selling vegetables about paying by card. All these products are distributed primarily among the elderly, large families, single people, etc.

Food is sometimes brought to the store in Zelenivka. People stand behind them in line for eight hours. The sellers are trying to immediately distribute everything, because the goods will then be taken away by the Russian military. It happens that people stand in line, infidels come, sweep everything off the shelves, and people go home with nothing. There is also looting. Supermarkets have closed because it is not possible to bring all the products. We are not talking about large parties.

  - Once they arrived (the Russian military. - Ed.), they took something away and asked if they counted. Instead of money, the seller was given stews, in which the expiration date had expired two years ago. Even dogs don't eat these canned foods, says Fr. Igor Makar.

Shattered dream

Until February 24, the Makariv family lived in a completely different way. They made plans, the children went to school and attended classes. My father, his wife and a team of caring fellow villagers were building a house that should have a social sewing workshop, a bakery and a family center. There was still quite a bit left before the end - the opening was planned for the summer.

Father's wife Maria is a seamstress and cutter. Therefore, she became the first to start working in a social enterprise. A year ago we were visiting Makariv. They were just taking orders for embroidered Easter towels. The sewing workshop had to work in several directions at once: funds received by order were directed to the needs of parishioners in difficult life circumstances; here they wanted to explore South Ukrainian embroidery and show the inhabitants of the region where their roots originate from; in addition, people in need could bring things for free repairs.

"Embroidered shirts will make our loved ones remember that Ukraine is whole. Each region has its own ornaments and features. We must show the residents of the Kherson region that our roots are Ukrainian, not Russian. This will be for us, our children and parents", one of the  parishioners Elena Nemodruk. Now the woman and her family are under occupation, they decided to stay at home.

Also, a family center was supposed to open in the new house - a place for children and their parents, space for communication and interesting activities.  In the settlements of the Kherson region, there were many challenges and problems even without a war. Children were in particular need of attention and care.

 "We constantly saw a picture of children sitting on the stairs of the church - this is their center of the world. At first they threw stones at the temple. But we work. When we find out what the children grew up in, we often understand that they are not guilty of anything. Even if they are harmful, you need to accept them, but not to scare or repulse them. They have no occupation here, and our task is to do something useful and interesting for them" such a goal was set for themselves by the Makariv and their team.

Now children hear explosions and shelling every day. They sit in the cellars under the whisper of prayers, under the cries of the Russian military. No sweets and treats (because where can you get it?), no toys, no good nights and really funny laughter.  Children are forced to learn about anger, fear, hatred, death. Russia came to "protect" them from a happy childhood.

How do people react?

Despite the difficult situation, people do not lose faith. Kherson residents come out to protest with the flags of Ukraine. They chant "Kherson is Ukraine" in the face of the armed Russian military and empty-handed go to military equipment.  People don't stop doing it even when they're being shot at.

"Now people overestimate a lot. They begin to understand what Ukraine is, what the essence is, what the war is for. The Kherson region is occupied, and people go out to protest, despite the fact that they open fire. Once invaders put a machine gun to a woman's baby stroller", says the priest.

According to Fr. Igor, people who lived in abundance are now exchanging products: I give you potatoes, and you give me butter. They share, they try together. But no one is talking about giving up.

"We have a nurse friend who is half Russian. She calls and tries to speak Ukrainian: “Glory to Ukraine! I didn’t think before what kind of “Glory to the Heroes” was in response, but now I understand. These are our heroes! We are ready to endure more, but only to have our Ukraine", says Igor Makar.

Many deliberately did not leave, although they had cars and opportunities. They decide to stay on their land, to fight the occupier as best they can.

"Thank God, people hold on, do not lose faith and want that Ukraine. They don't want Russia, although there are a lot of Russians in Mariupol and Kherson. That is, Russian troops are bombing their own. But even the Russians don't want to go to Russia", the priest shares.

Olga Maryan, Leadership and Service Program of the Ukrainian Educational Platform