"I think it's much worse than in Bucha"

Since the occupation of Cherson by Vladimir Putin's troops on March 1, WELT has been in contact with a citizen in the southern Ukrainian city. For his safety, let's call him James.

WORLD: What is the current situation in Cherson?

James: We're in Antonivka right now (on the eastern outskirts of the city, ed.) trying to intercept the Russian Internet. The supply here is catastrophic. We have nothing. No water, no electricity, no internet. Everything is switched off.

WORLD: There is nothing left of the Russian occupiers?

James: No, there isn't a single Russian on the street anymore. You don't see any vehicles with the letters V or Z anymore. On Friday I hugged a Ukrainian soldier in Cherson.

WORLD: How was the day of liberation?

James: Friday was a day of euphoria. People stood in the street, on every corner, with Ukrainian flags. There was a big celebration on Freedom Square. Then, finally, in the evening, Ukrainian military vehicles also came. By the way, the flags on the buildings were exchanged long before the Ukrainian soldiers even came to the city.

WORLD: At least for the moment, are the Russians not attacking Cherson?

James: Until now everything was still very quiet on the other bank of the Dnipro. We were very afraid that the Russians would bomb us after they left. But that hasn't happened so far. Probably, the Ukrainian army foresaw this case. On the night of Saturday, however, we observed from Antonivka that a rocket was fired from Oleshky on the other side of the river, towards Beryslav (northeast of Cherson, on the same side of the river, ed.). We saw the launch and also heard the bombing.

WORLD: There are reports that the US government is now pushing Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow because of the recapture of Cherson?

James: I hope this message is not reliable. I also don't think Zelenskyy will stop liberating Ukrainian territories now. That would be considered treason.

WORLD: Is it possible to say whether the Russians committed war crimes in Cherson?

James: Definitely. I know two people who have been imprisoned and tortured. And who saw others being tortured. There are also dead. I think it's much worse than in Bucha.

WORLD: How does it feel to be without fear after more than eight months?

James: It's a feeling of freedom, it's unique, it's indescribable. There are a lot of feelings going on inside me right now. Yesterday, on the other hand, I was suddenly exhausted. tired of feeling