“I’m exhausted,” says Serhi, a 55-year-old Ukrainian entrepreneur struggling with the floods in Kherson
Serhi, a 55-year-old Ukrainian entrepreneur, lives in Kherson. Having survived the occupation, here today it faces the floods due to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. “I’m completely exhausted,” he testified to the world. Luckily, the water stopped a few meters from his house and slowly began to flow backwards. But her business is under water. ” It’s a disaster. Eight years of effort wasted in one day. »
In Kherson, after the attack on the Kakhovka Dam, which took place on the night of Monday, June 5, to Tuesday, June 6, 2023. SERHIY
His son – whose identity, like that of his father, is not disclosed for security reasons – lives opposite the Dnieper, on the left bank. His apartment just barely escaped the rising water. He had taken shelter with friends and was able to fall asleep at home last night. But its occupied city is three quarters flooded and occupied. “There, the Russians are forcing the residents to delete the photos of the floods,” explains Serhi via video. It’s the Soviet method: you erase everything to pretend nothing happened! As a precaution, his son deletes all photos and conversations with his father before he takes to the streets. With his town occupied, the young man feeds the neighborhood’s dogs and cats, which the residents left behind after they fled. Serhi can still contact his son, but he knows the hours are passing. “There is already no electricity or gas in his town. His phone will stop working soon,” he worries.
In Kherson, after the attack on the Kakhovka Dam, which took place on the night of Monday, June 5, to Tuesday, June 6, 2023. SERHIY
He suddenly stops. “Kherson is being bombed,” informs his wife, who can be seen on the screen across the room. “Zelensky just got here, so the Russians are bombing,” Serhi blurts out calmly. During the occupation, one of his friends was killed while helping people from the city. “They shot his car. “Ten days ago his neighbor lost an arm in a bomb attack on the city.
The Ukrainian from Kherson has no intention of leaving for this reason. He is preparing to rebuild his company and remains hopeful for the future. “It’s hard to start over at 55, but I have a family and I want to live. »
Faustine Vincent