“One thing is certain, the Ukrainians now want to recapture Ukraine within its 1991 borders.”

The city of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast is on the brink of a major Russian offensive; Ukraine Says Russian Missiles Hit Odesa Port Saturday; Mykolaiv was bombed again on Sunday morning… There is no respite for the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on his countrymen in a speech VideoSunday evening, at “Must be united and work together for success”Before “Ukraine celebrates Independence Day for the first time, July 28”.

Senior Correspondent at the world, Florence Abenas He is currently in Ukraine, where he covers areas particularly threatened by Russian invasion. Five months after the start of the conflict, he answered your questions in a chat about the state of Ukrainian society.

Math: Beyond the posturing of national unity, do Ukrainians believe they can recapture territories that fell into Russian hands?

It’s hard to know what Ukrainians are thinking, especially for territories under Russian occupation. One thing is certain: they now prefer military victory over the Russian army to peace, and therefore to recapture Ukraine within its 1991 borders. For example, I was talking to a young volunteer who was ready to take up arms and go to Donbass. I ask him a question: Is it a question of recapturing this territory? His answer: “What I want above all is to fight against the Russians. »

Matsenko: I belong to a Franco-Ukrainian association that has existed for eighteen years, and I have been to Ukraine six times. Do you think that the residents of the southern and eastern regions, especially the elderly, are more vulnerable to Russian propaganda? Are Russian TVs still available?

Currently, pro-Russian sentiment (as it is called today in Ukraine) seems to me difficult to assess. People who hold this view tend to keep a low profile these days. But they exist, to be sure, especially among older people who grew up, studied and lived in the days of the Soviet Union. Compared to Russia, there is a generation gap between those born before independence and those born after.

Does the Kremlin want to “de-Ukrainize” but isn’t having the opposite effect by increasing the use of the Ukrainian language in the areas it wants? I’m thinking specifically of Kharkiv and Odessa.

I think of Kharkiv East where many families, businesses or cultures are on the other side of the border, including areas where the war united Ukraine, including areas traditionally turned towards Russia. A local MP once told me: “Russian is my mother tongue, I studied in Moscow, but today I want to tear everything Russian from me. »

123: How do Ukrainians feel about Western aid? Do they feel indebted or rather abandoned? In particular, does sentiment vary by Western countries (Poland and the United Kingdom are more active, unlike Hungary, which slows sanctions against Russia).

One thing is for sure: the Ukrainians I meet always start the discussion by thanking Europe for its help. It’s really a massive attitude, especially for minorities on earth: my reports in Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan had a different tone, any interview instead started with harsh criticisms against European and Western diplomacy.

Sandrinoch: Based on what you’re seeing and the discussions you’ve had with the people there, what would be the best way to deliver aid to the Ukrainians?

The Ukrainians, at this time, are particularly sensitive to the supply of sophisticated weapons. I don’t know if you have it in your kitchen. Another option: information warfare. You can help Ukrainian news sites or journalists who seem serious to you.

Hint: When you mention “another option: information warfare…” Is it a question of contributing to the Ukrainian campaign knowing that France is not involved in the war? Can you clarify your point? Is the journalist not off duty?

On the contrary, supporting Ukrainian press does not mean propaganda, quite the opposite. Here is an independent press critical of the government.

Pierre: Do Ukrainians perceive a difference between their situation and that of other martyrs, such as Iraqis or Yemenis?

For now, Ukrainians are at war. I don’t think I’ve heard the word “Iraq” or “Yemen” used here recently. Also, I fully understand the meaning of your question, but it may be more towards our ambassadors and our soldiers than Ukrainians.

Antoine: Men are prohibited from leaving Ukrainian territory for five months (with some rare exceptions). How are people reacting to this ban and martial law in general when so many Ukrainians have lost their jobs and so many families are relying on income earned abroad before the start of the war? Does it prevent some family members from leaving Ukraine and, in particular, fleeing dangerous areas where some family members are not allowed to cross the border?

It is very true, Antoine, Ukraine has a terrible economic crisis, today is overshadowed by fighting. Not many jobs, the situation is really dramatic. Two comments: Large numbers of women and children have fled abroad. And women do a lot of work abroad. A math teacher is now a cleaner in Amsterdam, while another picks strawberries in Poland. Women’s economic immigration was highly developed before the war. She keeps going and the money keeps coming through her. Second comment: The decision to ban men between 18 and 60 in the country is not controversial here, or at least not publicly. Nothing but martial law.

Sevastopol: Do the Ukrainians you meet still consider Crimea as Ukrainian?

All territories that were part of Ukraine’s borders in 1991 and are claimed by Russia today for various reasons (Kherson Region, Donbass, Crimea, part of Kharkiv Region, etc.) are designated here under the same name. Temporarily Occupied Territories”.

Gentle Accidental: Are you free to move around or is the visit arranged by the authorities? What are the places you can’t go?

We can move freely in the territory under Ukrainian control, we cross it without any problems and without police escort (as was the case in Algeria, for example). A government-issued pass is required to pass the checkpoints, and I don’t know which colleagues don’t (but maybe some). What we cannot see or it is very difficult to see: the front lines and military positions in general (including access to the port of Odessa), some hospitals, official figures in the judiciary, for example …

GG: What do Ukrainians think based on the recent dismissal of high-ranking officials and in particular the suspicion of the public prosecutor?

Many Ukrainians also question the fight against corruption in these layoffs. Who wants to do it and how far? Debate surrounds the matter as accusations of not protecting the country (which is the official reason). The two men who were fired have not been charged individually to date and are presumed innocent.

Dobrydan: In times of war and national unity, is corruption considered unacceptable by the Ukrainian people? Do we know if it still exists?

Ukrainians are raising a lot of funds at the moment, and everyone is trying to guarantee that the collected money reaches its goal. Some associations have equipped their hangars with cameras to prevent theft, and bank accounts are monitored and made public. Corruption is rampant in everything related to administration.

Mira_Lo: Doesn’t the fact that you never condemned Ukrainian crimes and went to the pro-Russian Donbass and saw two versions undermine your so-called “independence” and “objectivity”?

Travel to Russian-controlled areas is currently not possible without Moscow’s authorization. It was given to our reporter Benoit Witkin who went there and published it Many reportsA few weeks ago.

Clothes: Are the Ukrainians you meet worried about winter? How do they prepare?

The beginning of winter, when the temperature drops below zero, here is a real problem: those who lost their homes, are now, shifted to unheated bungalows.