On November 22, the Russian authorities announced the attack on Crimea by drones. Information not confirmed by Ukraine, which is continuing its counter-offensive. As the winter promises to be extremely harsh for the Ukrainians, should we negotiate peace? Between soldiers and civilians, opinions are often opposed.
Andry has three children from two different marriages. In his normal life, he is an engineer. With tired features, he waits with his battalion in front of an official building transformed into barracks, says Maurine Mercier.
Andry and his companions are determined:
Yes, we will recover Crimea!
” The war will only end when Russia collapsessays one of his companions. I ask you the question : “If you had lost so many close friends because of the war, you would be ready to negotiate, would you?” »
” Crimea was very “russified” »
In Mykolaiv, Igor, he is not a soldier. His city is one of those which suffered very heavy bombardments. He deeply loves his country. But like many others, he prefers to say it discreetly. For him, it is necessary to negotiate, and above all not to try to recover Crimea: “ I think the territories should be liberated. But Crimea was very “russified”. I am not at all sure that its inhabitants want to return to Ukraine. And then the price to pay would be so high. We cannot wage war forever. »
Because the sacrifices are too important after nine months of war, the sufferings marked the country with a red iron. Igor knows that the longer the war lasts, the more he will be against the current.
” I would like to say two words to Putin »
A coffee in his hands to keep warm, Evgenia explains that he lives with his brother on the ground floor of their house. The first floor was blown up by a Russian rocket, described Clea Broadhurst, special correspondent to Boutcha. They are cramped in a room without a heater or electricity. As a light, only a bulb connected to a battery: “ We have a small stove, and wood in advance. The most important thing is to have a roof over our heads so that nothing falls on us. I sleep here and my brother next door, but when it gets even colder we’ll sleep together by the stove. »
It was in their basement that they took refuge when the strike fell. Then they lived underground for a month before Boutcha was freed. “ I’m really angry, Evgenia exclaims. I would like to say two words to Putin, face to face. »
Difficult living conditions
Angelica’s apartment was completely destroyed by a strike on March 2. Impossible to go back today: A first rocket fell. But it was the second one that exploded and it started to burn. There was black smoke everywhere. We lost all our family photos, wedding photos, of my son when he was young. Not to mention everything else accumulated over 30 years… »
For the past few months, she has been living in a prefab complex, with 60 other people. At the table in the common kitchen, Angelica explains that they are often plunged into darkness, without heating or electricity: “ It’s hard, you’re in your coats and you’re already cold, imagine sleeping here. »
For thousands of people who live in between, the harsh winter has only just begun…
► To read also: Ukraine: in Boutcha, the difficult reconstruction after several months of war