Russian refugees from Kursk

A report in Novaja Gazeta documents the dramatic situation of the Russian and Ukrainian refugees. Governor Aleksej Smirnov stated that their number exceeds 150,000 people, abandoned by the authorities as the military defence of the area is already problematic.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - In the endless tragedies of the war between Russia and Ukraine, another category has been added, that of the refugees from the Kursk region, evacuated from the areas of the Ukrainian offensive that produced another front of ‘mutual resistance’ between the two armies, as has been the case in the Donbass for the past two years. Since 6 August, those forced to flee have been living in precarious camps, trying to survive without actually receiving any effective help from the Moscow government.

A report in Novaja Gazeta documents the dramatic situation of these people, who have been caught between Russians and Ukrainians. Ekaterina is a young mother from Sudži, who, when she heard the crash of gunfire and the fragments of walls falling on her, took her three children and fled to the nearest village, later joined by her husband and eldest son. They now live on the outskirts of Kursk in a shack with no furniture and concrete walls, which they rent for 20 euro a month, without receiving any state subsidy.

Those who have space to rent are trying to take advantage of this by raising prices, and several thousand people are now in this situation. Those who remained in the area occupied by the Ukrainians obviously have no chance of receiving the little money that arrives from Moscow, or even humanitarian aid. The Ukrainians are limited to distributing 5 kilograms of flour each, and there is a shortage of blankets and medicine, among other things.

On 19 August, the deputy head of the Russian Ministry of Civil Protection's information department, Artem Šarov, reported that around 121,000 people had been evacuated from various points in the region, and on 11 September, Governor Aleksej Smirnov stated that their number was well over 150,000. Unlike the Ukrainians in the Donbass, these citizens of Russia are in fact almost completely abandoned by the authorities, as the military defence of the area is already problematic.

On social channels, all the frustration of the Russians emerges even though they are animated by patriotic feelings, such as Telegram user Kira Politaeva, according to whom ‘the state can only regain the trust of the people if it immediately does everything possible so that our loved ones can be reunited with us’, phrases accompanied by emoji with the Russian national flag. Another user, Aljona, writes that ‘towards us there is great mockery and absolute lack of support, we need to go under the building of the Kursk municipality and make a protest demonstration’.

Through the other social networking site VKontakte, a ‘Group to help the homeless and needy of Kursk’ was formed to address the inability of the administration, and the first fundraising event paid for the funeral of 83-year-old Vera Zozulina. Smirnov announced that those who lost their homes could receive between 75 and 150 thousand roubles (about 1,500 euros) ‘depending on the level of losses’, a decidedly uncomfortable promise. Other statements from above speak of aid to ‘build a new house in other areas’, referring to territories under the control of the Ukrainian army.

In addition to the modest sums promised, there is also the problem of their transfer to the recipients, which does not take place until 40 days after allocation. Refugees are often forced to move again due to the fragile balance of the front between one side and the other, trying to shelter in some cellar from yet another air assault. On the outskirts of Kursk, queues of cars and fugitives on foot pile up, dragging everything they can with them, putting the Kurjane, the inhabitants of the capital, in crisis.

In any case, several truckloads of humanitarian aid arrive in the city, and the refugees volunteer for distribution to get some compensation, even before they get their ration, because at least they are able to stay overnight in the Civil Defence tents and can use the dishes to cook the food offered, which would otherwise remain in the sacks. Everyone is looking for modems and routers for internet connection, even if only to connect their children to some school lessons, perhaps from the dark corner of a cellar.