Life and Survival under Russian Occupation—A Story from Kherson

This is Anastasia’s story. Anastasia is an executive director of the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Union” (KRCF “Union”)—a nonprofit that has been working with Global Synergy Group since the beginning of the war.

The Russian invasion changed our lives and the work we do at the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Union”. Prior to the invasion, our nonprofit was working in the spheres of community development, open data development, and anti-corruption initiatives. Over the years, we’ve worked with a number of international organizations in pursuit of these goals, including the British Council, the UN Peacebuilding and Reconstruction Program in Ukraine, NED (National Endowment for Democracy), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in Ukraine, and the US Embassy in Ukraine.

Today, our goal is simply to help the people of Kherson. 

Kherson is a region of Ukraine currently under occupation by the Russians. Our work today is focused on providing food kits to those most in need, as well as trying to share the stories of those living through this terrible war. 

It’s hard to imagine what the people of Kherson have been through during this occupation. 

In sharing my story here, I hope to shine a light on what life is like every day in Kherson. My story is not unique. It is shared by thousands of families—many of whom have even more horrific stories.

My family and I were in Kherson on February 24 when the war started. We woke up to the sound of a very loud bang, and we quickly began to collect our things to leave the apartment. 

Our first thought was to leave the city, but everyone was trying to do the same. Traffic jams began to build and gas stations quickly ran short of fuel. With no way out, we moved to our parents house, where there is, at least, a basement.

For the first few days we lived to the sound of sirens, constant loud explosions, and fighter planes flying overhead. It was incredibly scary. We did not leave the house.

Then the Russians entered the city, and people all but stopped going outside at all. 

A few days later, essential products began to disappear from the supermarkets and shops. The hunt began to stock up on groceries. 

Nobody understood what was coming next….

At this point, it was still possible to leave the city but with an incredible risk to life. While some escaped, many were killed in their attempts. To leave, you had to go through a large number of Russian checkpoints. The Russians searched cars and took away anything they liked—including people. One of the things they always checked for were the presence of tattoos—on the hunt for the nationalists they had come to kill, but never found.

We were waiting for a time when we felt we could leave Kherson safely. When it became difficult to find food, we began to eat much less in order to stretch our supplies. My child was the only one not rationed.

It is hard to understand, but when a territory is under occupation, absolutely nothing can be delivered there: no medicine, no food, no supplies. Everybody was just trying to survive.

Many people lost their jobs. The only “work” that could be done for thousands of Kherson residents was to get up as early as possible and stand in long queues in the hopes of receiving leftover food from stores, and to withdraw their cash balances at ATMs.

Russians moved around the city. Phones and documents were randomly taken from people and inspected. If “patriotic” information was found on the phone, that person was taken to a torture chamber under the auspices of a city prison. Pro-Ukrainian activists were, and continue to be, kidnapped. At this point, hundreds have been taken, and no one can determine whether or not they are alive.

Kherson residents today live in constant fear—from the Russians on the ground, and from the daily explosions in and around the city.

The Russians have now turned off all mobile communications and only a few internet providers are working. All traffic now goes through Russian providers, and the connection is very poor.

Kherson residents are also being issued Russian passports and Russian goods are appearing in stores. The pressure to accept this new way of life, this new identity, is immense.

My family and I were in occupation for 1.5 months before we were able to get out.

Just a few weeks ago, our apartment was raided by the Russians because of the work we do to provide food and security to those in need. Luckily, we had already left. Below is video footage of my home being raided by Russian troops.

We have volunteers who are still in the city and in the region who continue to risk their lives by helping people. 

We collect donations from people all around the world to buy food kits for the people and families in occupied Kherson who have lost their jobs because of war and occupation, families with three or more children, and people with disabilities. 

Our greatest partner in this work is Global Synergy Group (GSG). Together with GSG, we have helped around 400 families - 2500 people - to date. 

The only thing we can do now is to help the people of Kherson by providing them with the tools for survival, and to not let them despair! Our support gives them the strength not to give up and to wait for the Ukrainian Army and freedom.

To support us in this work, donate to Global Synergy Group at: https://www.globalsynergygroup.org/food-for-kherson