‘Easier to survive outside cities’: Ukraine's countryside offers safe haven from Russian invasion

France24 ^ | March 9, 2022 | Text by: Mehdi CHEBIL

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered one of the largest population movements in Europe since World War II. As the Ukrainian army is fortifying the cities, many city dwellers have fled to the countryside, where they have discovered a rural population determined to resist for the long term.

“It's much easier to survive outside the cities. I feel safer in this isolated place, I don't see why the military would waste time and ammunition to come here," Anna Martsinkiv, a sociologist who lives in a small house outside Obukhiv, about 40 kilometres south of Kyiv.

The Russian invasion reminded her of her grandparents' old World War II stories. Resistance fighters in her family were hunted down by both the Nazis and the Soviets. Retreating to the countryside to keep a low profile was the key to their survival.

Almost 80 years later, Martsinkiv has not forgotten this lesson. Her husband, who is involved in Ukraine's Territorial Defence Forces, has applied for a firearm. But when she is at home alone, her personal sense of security comes from her three dogs.

"Another benefit of being in the country is having dogs. They are like my own army, they let me know about any intrusion and can deter ill-intentioned people," she explained. "In addition, they bring a positive energy, they are companions that give you unconditional love.... That's very important to keep your spirits up."

[DIRTYSECRET]

Think the killing fields. Easier to control.

[PGR88]

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered one of the largest population movements in Europe since World War II.

The largest was still Obama's war in Syria, which opened the flood-gates of Muslim migration to Europe.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

…a rural population determined to resist for the long term.

I am not so sure they should not resist the “sociologists” and other urbanites, too.

[jcon40]

And Rural California is safer than its scummy urban areas.

[Pilgrim's Progress]

The greater war crime is that MadPutin is doing this in winter . . .

[SaxxonWoods]

Poor people are hiding in the cities, that’s dangerous, now they will try to run to the countryside. They should at least get left alone there, Russians aren’t interested in them unless they pick up guns. Terrible to see this suffering, Slinky Z should be at the table making a deal and rap record.