“I’m completely exhausted,” says Serhi, a 55-year-old Ukrainian entrepreneur struggling with flooding in Kherson
Serhi, a 55-year-old Ukrainian entrepreneur, lives in Kherson. After having survived the occupation, here it is today confronted with the floods due to the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. “I am completely exhausted”he testifies to the World. Luckily, the water stopped a few meters from his house, and began to slowly flow back. But her business is under water. ” It’s a disaster. Eight years of effort were ruined in one day. »
His son – whose identity, like that of his father, is not revealed for security – lives opposite the Dnieper, on the left bank. His apartment also narrowly escaped the rising waters. He had taken shelter with friends, and was able to return to sleep at home last night. But his city, occupied, is three quarters flooded, and occupied. “There, the Russians are forcing residents to erase photos of the floods, explains Serhi by video. It’s the Soviet method: they erase everything, to pretend that nothing had happened! » As a precaution, his son deletes all photos and conversations with his father before going out into the street. Since his city is occupied, the young man feeds the dogs and cats of the neighborhood, which the inhabitants left behind after having fled. Serhi can still contact his son, but he knows the hours are ticking. “In his town, there is already no more electricity or gas. Her phone won’t work soon.he worries.
He suddenly stops. “Kherson is bombed”informs his wife, who can be seen on the screen, at the other end of the room. “Zelensky has just arrived here, so the Russians are bombing”, calmly loose Serhi. During the occupation, one of his friends was killed helping people out of town. “They shot at his car. » Ten days ago, his neighbor lost an arm in a bombing of the city.
This Ukrainian from Kherson does not plan to leave for all that. He is preparing to rebuild his business, and remains hopeful for the future. “It’s hard to start all over again at 55, but I have a family, and I want to live. »