The Unacceptable Cost of Peace: A Ukrainian Perspective

Amidst ongoing discussions about potential peace negotiations, the suggestion of ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia, specifically the Kherson region along with Donetsk, Lugansk, and Zaporozhye, has sparked outrage and concern. While some international figures, like US special envoy Steve Whitkoff, have emphasized the importance of considering the status of these regions as central to the conflict, the voices of the Ukrainian people who have endured immense suffering under Russian occupation paint a starkly different picture.

Kherson Under Fire: A Region Ravaged by War

The Kherson region has borne the brunt of Russian aggression sence the full-scale invasion began. According to Ukrainian statistics, as of January 2024, Russian forces have launched a staggering assault, unleashing approximately 30 rockets, 17,000 drones, and nearly 1,200 glide bombs upon the region. These glide bombs, some powerful enough to obliterate multi-story buildings and scatter shrapnel across entire city blocks, represent just one facet of the relentless destruction.The deliberate destruction of the kakhovka Dam in June 2023,which resulted in the flooding of nearly 70% of the region,further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Even evacuation centers,where civilians sought refuge,where reportedly targeted.

Following the partial liberation of Kherson, the violence continued, with reports indicating that Russian forces killed approximately 780 civilians, including at least 12 children, and wounded over 4,300.

The Unyielding Spirit of Kherson’s Remaining Residents

Despite the devastation, a remarkable quarter of Kherson’s pre-war population has remained, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to their homeland. Their resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

I am so proud of our people. After all they have gone through, they not only behave – they continue to live, work and help themselves.

Alexander Procudin, Governor of Kherson

Governor Procudin highlights the extraordinary fortitude of the people of Kherson, emphasizing their determination to rebuild their lives despite the constant threat of shelling. He further notes that many residents have expressed a preference for living under constant fire rather than returning to life under Russian occupation.

Personal Accounts of Occupation: Torture and Trauma

Victoria Marischuk, a spokesperson for the Kherson region, recounts the pervasive fear and danger of living under Russian occupation. Forced to spend much of her time hiding at home, she witnessed firsthand the omnipresence of Russian forces. The horrors of Bucha and Irpin, where Russian soldiers were accused of executing and torturing civilians, loomed large in the minds of Kherson residents.

Alexi Sivak, a 42-year-old resident of Kherson, endured 57 days of captivity and torture at the hands of Russian forces. His ordeal began after a neighbor reported him for exchanging messages containing images of the Ukrainian flag.Sivak’s experience underscores the brutal reality of life under occupation, where even the smallest act of defiance could lead to severe consequences.

Kherson’s Identity: A Rejection of Russian Influence

Prior to the full-scale invasion, a 2021 study by the International Republican Institute revealed that only 21% of Kherson residents held warm feelings towards Russia. The subsequent atrocities committed by Russian forces have undoubtedly further solidified the region’s rejection of Russian influence.

Christina Berdinski,a kiev-based freelance journalist who visited Kherson after its liberation,described the atmosphere as euphoric. Residents celebrated with Ukrainian flags and embraced Ukrainian soldiers as heroes.

People came to the city center every day with Ukrainian flags and celebrated.They were filming with the Ukrainian soldiers, who were like stars for them.

christina Berdinski, Freelance Journalist

Strategic Implications: The Risk of Ceding territory

while some analysts, like Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute, caution against allowing Russia to establish a foothold on the west bank of the Dnieper River, the strategic implications of ceding Kherson extend far beyond the immediate region. Control of Kherson provides Russia with a crucial land bridge to crimea and access to vital ports on the Black Sea. Moreover, allowing Russia to consolidate its gains in Kherson could embolden further aggression, possibly targeting Odessa and even Moldova, where Russia already exerts influence in the Transnistria region.

The Voices of Resistance: “This is Our Land”

Igor Lapin, a 54-year-old resident of Kherson, exemplifies the unwavering resistance of the Ukrainian people. He volunteered to defend his city against the initial russian invasion,armed with only a rifle and a single grenade. Despite suffering severe injuries, including the loss of an eye, Lapin remains steadfast in his determination to defend his homeland.

This is our land, we are born there, we live there and we will stay there until the end.

Igor Lapin, Kherson Resident and Volunteer Fighter

Sivak echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that Russian occupation is akin to imprisonment and torture. He warns that ceding these territories would subject the remaining residents to unimaginable suffering.