The pro-Russian authorities of the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region have stated that the region will “move into the ruble zone” from May 1.

However, the Ukrainian mayor of Kherson, Igor Kolikhayev, who was “fired” by the Russians, does not believe this is possible, as the only functioning banking system in the region is Ukrainian, not Russian.

Despite the 60-day occupation, many locals are trying to challenge Russian forces by exchanging the rubles for Ukrainian hryvnias.

However, this is not easy to do in times of constant danger.

Signs “Z” (Russian military symbol) appeared all over the city. Russian flags were hoisted over government buildings. Ukrainian television is turned off, and Russian TV channels broadcast instead. Russian soldiers in armored vehicles drive through the city center, between checkpoints.

Changing the currency is another attempt to erase Ukraine’s identity.

“I think most people will leave here if the ruble is introduced,” said Kherson resident Olga, who declined to give her real name.

“So far, there are currency exchange offices in the city. If I am paid in rubles, I will just go and exchange them for hryvnias, others, I think, will do the same. This is such a small act of protest.”

Olga is not the only one who has such a plan. Ukrainian media reported that some pensioners in Kherson received pensions in rubles, but had already exchanged them for Ukrainian hryvnias.

Living in Kherson has become even harder. Many people are nervous even because of a conversation with a journalist. When we approach Olga and ask how she is doing, she sighs.

“I’m alive and I have food,” she said.

According to Mayor Kolykhayev, during the two months of occupation, about 40% of the population fled the city.

Many Kherson residents told how difficult it is for them to pay for the goods that can still be bought in empty supermarkets. Shops, restaurants and businesses, they said, have closed and the economy has partially stalled as it is cut off from much of the world.

Earlier this week, Russian forces appointed a “new Kherson administration” because Mayor Igor Kolikhayev “did not cooperate” with Russian forces, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Igor Kolykhayev said via video link that he did not stop working. He is skeptical about whether Russia will be able to successfully introduce the ruble.

“I have no evidence that this has happened,” he said. what they think. ”

Ukrainian authorities have suggested that Russia may try to hold a referendum in the region on May 1. They plan to put to the vote the issue of the region’s independence from Ukraine and the creation of the “Kherson People’s Republic” on the model of the “DPR” and “LPR”. However, any attempt to do so will be seen as a way to legitimize Russia’s intervention by portraying Russians as “liberators.”

Moscow has denied plans to hold a vote in Kherson, and city officials say they have not seen any signs of it.

However, there are rumors on social networks about how events may develop. Some Ukrainians believe that Russia will simply falsify the result and use their IDs, which they fear Russians may gain access to in seized administrative buildings.

“I’m not sure they need the population to know that there is a referendum,” says Olga. “I think they can do without us. Maybe I’ve already voted.”

Several people in Kherson told us that the roads to safer areas of Ukraine are currently completely closed. The only available road is through the Crimea. But this means that we will have to enter Russian territory, which several Ukrainians we spoke to are not ready for.

However, Maxim realized that this was the only way to security. He declined to give his real name because his family is still in the city. He was interrogated at the border, and a security guard checked his body for tattoos.

“It was like a movie,” he says. “You’re sitting on a suitcase under the scorching sun waiting to be interrogated. People with machine guns are walking around. It was very scary. I never thought I would have to go through that.”

“They asked me the same questions over and over,” he says.

Maxim says that there were a lot of cars with Kherson license plates in the queue. He went to Georgia, and then went to Europe.

“In Georgia, I felt like I was released from prison,” he said.

Those who stayed in Kherson are afraid of the future.

“I am afraid of a humanitarian catastrophe,” says Igor Kolykhayev. “I am worried about the people who stayed in the city, they are all hostages.”

“It’s like we went on a trip with 100 liters of gas in the car’s tank, and we drive until the gas runs out. I want to count how long we can go. How much longer can we drive around town?”

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