More and more villages are back under Ukrainian control near Kryvyi Rih on the way to #Kherson, and the stories about rape and killings are reaching the surface, while fighting can be heard nearby. 1/8
Sixty-seven-year-old Valentina recalls how the Russian troops moved into her neighbors' houses.
“My mother always told me that it was so terrible during the World War, but I didn’t know that war could be so terrible. I had no idea." 2/8
Another man told about how the #RussianArmy broke into his shop and stole everything. Later, his good friend Igor was killed, and a woman was said to be raped.
"They also killed Igor. They just came into his home and shot him," said Volodimir. 3/8
People are already starting to move back despite the frontline being close by. People simply do not want to be on the run anymore. It is incredible to hear their stories while artillery fire can be heard nearby. 5/8
It is not only in the villages in southern #ukraine that people try to get back to normal.
In the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, the steel company ArcelorMittal recently restarted its production despite the threat of air attacks. 6/8
But the war is never far away, even in Kryvyi Rih. The hospital is still full of patients - civilians and soldiers. A soldier told me that he couldn't wait to return to the frontline. 7/8
In contrast, many civilians just want the war to end. 7/
It is also still pouring in with refugees from #Kherson region. Many are women and children.
“The (rumors of a Russian) referendum are one reason to leave now. It is getting harder and harder to leave and harder and harder to live in Kherson." 8/8
🧵The Ukrainian farmers are under pressure, and it will impact people all over the world. It can lead to hunger in certain parts of the world. I have talked to several farmers in #Ukraine. 👇
They continue to work, but they cannot export. 1/6
"We can not have our goods delivered, and we can not export our products as the supply lines are broken. Almost all of our exports go through the Black Sea, and Russia has closed it," said one farmer.
In addition, they need machinery, fuel, and other stuff. 2/6 #ukraine
The Black Sea is the real issue. About 600,000 tons of crops cross the border with the #EU by road every month. That can, according to experts, increase to two million maximum.
That isn't enough. Seven million tons need to cross every month without the Black Sea ports. 3/6
It isn't because they aren't happy with the treatment in Poland or other countries, but it isn't home. As one said: “There is nothing better than home. My parents are there, and I have to come back to them.” 2/4
Most people seem to go back to #Kyiv, but many are also going back to Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and even areas around Kramatorsk. Many people's desire to go home is stronger than the fear of the war.