Kherson, a major Ukrainian city with pre-war population of 400,000, fell to Russian occupation in the beginning of the war and remained Russian-occupied until November 11, 2022.
Devastated by presence of Russian troops and ruscist (Russian + fascist) regime, even the areas liberated in the heroic counteroffensive operation of 2022, are still close to the frontline and suffer daily attacks from the Russians positioned on the left bank of the Dnipro River. The local population regularly has disruptions in the necessary supplies of gas, electricity, shelter, food, and water – resources that are so easily taken for granted in other civilized countries. And even are taken for granted in other Ukrainian cities farther from the frontline.
Kherson has experienced defeat and occupation (a nine-months period of war crimes), a major flooding as a result of the exploded dam, and has not been able to get back on its feet. Employment is mostly unavailable, there is no governmental assistance, and very few foreign aid organizations. Previously occupied and frontline populations (in case of Kherson it’s both), who have not been released from the grip of ruscist terror even for a day in the past 3 years, receive the least help because it’s not comfortable for organizations to be that close to the disputed river.
I began by signing up to volunteer for just 6 weeks September through November, but ended up staying through December. And then, just after one month in the US, I have returned to continue doing whatever I can to provide aid directly to those who need support the most.
I hope you will find it in your heart to support me and my mission, whether by reading or donating. Kherson doesn’t get highlighted in the news as much as large and relatively safer cities like Kyiv or Odessa, and it is important for the community of Kherson to feel heard and remembered.