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Surviving in Ukraine

Living under attack in Kherson, Kharkiv and Kyiv

The war in Ukraine is bringing much destruction and devastation, with fighting and attacks in multiple cities. Host Karnie Sharp guides us through the stories of men and women who are living through it. Many have been forced to flee to find a safe haven, often leaving relatives behind to stay and fight or because they refuse to move from their homes.

Hussain is one person we hear from in Kherson, the first major city to fall to Russian troops. Food is in increasingly short supply and he and his wife are restricting their intake, surviving mostly on water, in order to feed their two year-old daughter.

β€œI don’t know if a Russian tank or a soldier will kill me or not but definitely hunger will kill me,” said Hussein. β€œThere’s no concept of money. You’ve worked a decade, you’ve saved money, then there is a time where you are not even able to feed your children. There’s nothing more insecure than that.”

We also hear from a couple who have chosen to remain in Kharkiv – Ukraine’s second largest city - which has been besieged by missiles.

β€œOur first son, our elder son, is with us and we have another one in Poland,” said Larisa. β€œOf course I’m very, very worried about him being an orphan. This is my biggest concern.”

(Photo: People in Irpin near Kyiv walk with their luggage with smoke from a shelling in the background. Credit: Roman Pilipey/EPA)

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Sun 6 Mar 2022 18:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 5 Mar 2022 11:32GMT
  • Sun 6 Mar 2022 03:32GMT
  • Sun 6 Mar 2022 18:06GMT