A Novaja Gazeta report documents the dramatic situation of Russian and Ukrainian refugees. Governor Aleksej Smirnov declared that their number far exceeds 150,000, abandoned by the authorities as the military defense of the area is already problematic.
Moscow () – In the endless tragedies of the war between Russia and Ukraine, another category has been added, that of refugees from the Kursk region, evacuated from the areas of the Ukrainian offensive that produced another front of “mutual resistance” between the two armies, as has been happening in Donbass for two years. Since August 6, those who were forced to flee have been living in precarious camps, trying to survive without receiving any effective help from the Moscow Government.
A Novaja Gazeta report documents the dramatic situation of these people, trapped between Russians and Ukrainians. Ekaterina is a young mother from Sudži who, hearing the roar of gunshots and the fragments of walls falling on her, took her three children and fled to the nearest town, later joining her husband and eldest son. Now they live on the outskirts of Kursk, in an unfurnished shack with concrete walls, which they rent for 20 euros a month, without receiving any state subsidies.
Those who have space to rent try to take advantage by raising prices, and several thousand people now find themselves in this situation. Those who remained in the zone occupied by the Ukrainians obviously have no possibility of receiving the little money that arrives from Moscow, not even humanitarian aid. The Ukrainians are limited to distributing 5 kilos of flour each, and there is a shortage of blankets and medicine, among other things.
On August 19, the deputy head of the information department of the Russian Ministry of Civil Protection, Artem Šarov, reported that some 121,000 people had been evacuated from various points in the region, and on September 11, Governor Aleksej Smirnov stated that Their number far exceeded 150,000 people. Unlike the Ukrainians in the Donbass, these citizens of Russia are in fact almost completely abandoned by the authorities, since the military defense of the area is already problematic.
On social channels, all the frustration of Russians emerges, although animated by patriotic feelings, such as Telegram user Kira Politaeva, according to which “the State will only be able to regain the trust of the people if it immediately does everything possible to ensure that our loved ones can meet with us”, phrases accompanied by emoji with the Russian national flag. Another user, Aljona, writes that “there is great ridicule towards us and an absolute lack of support, we have to go under the Kursk town hall building and hold a protest demonstration.”
Through the other social network, VKontakte, a “Kursk Homeless and Needy Help Group” was formed to address the administration’s inability, and the funeral was paid for in the first fundraising event. of Vera Zozulina, 83 years old. Smirnov announced that those who lost their homes could receive between 75,000 and 150,000 rubles (about 1,500 euros) “depending on the level of losses”, a decidedly uncomfortable promise. Other statements of his speak of help to “build a new house in other areas”, in reference to the territories under control of the Ukrainian army.
Added to the modest sums promised is the problem of their transfer to the beneficiaries, which does not occur until 40 days after the allocation. Often, refugees are forced to move again due to the fragile balance on the front between one side and the other, trying to take refuge in some basement from a new air assault. On the outskirts of Kursk, queues of cars and fugitives on foot pile up, dragging with them everything they can, putting the Kurjane, the inhabitants of the capital, in crisis.
In any case, several trucks loaded with humanitarian aid arrive in the city, and the refugees volunteer for the distribution in order to obtain some compensation, even before receiving their ration, since they can at least spend the night in the tents. of Civil Protection and use the plates to cook the food offered, which would otherwise remain in the bags. Everyone is looking for modems and routers to connect to the Internet, if only to connect their children to some school classes, perhaps from the dark corner of a basement.
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