Man in Kherson, the first major Ukrainian city Russia seized, says stores are empty and he only has enough food to last until tomorrow

Business Insider

Man in Kherson, the first major Ukrainian city Russia seized, says stores are empty and he only has enough food to last until tomorrow

Sinéad Baker – March 4, 2022

Russian military vehicles with "Z" markings are seen on the street in Kherson, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine March 1, 2022,
Russian military vehicles with “Z” markings are seen on the street in Kherson, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine March 1, 2022,REUTERS
  • A Ukrainian man said he couldn’t find food in stores and that he has only one day of food for his family.
  • He lives in Kherson, the first major city captured by Russia in its invasion.
  • Reports say food is also running low in other parts of Ukraine.

A Ukrainian man living in the first major Ukrainian city captured by Russia told Insider he can’t find food in stores and he only has enough food at home to last his family until tomorrow.

Stanislav, who lives near the center of the city with his wife and nine-year-old child, told Insider on Friday that he had food “only for tomorrow.”

Stanislav — who asked only to be identified by his first name for his safety — said he had some potatoes, some flour, and around half a loaf of bread in his home.

He said he went into stores on Friday to try and buy food, but that shelves were empty: “There is simply no food in supermarkets.”

“For now I am okay, but what will happen tomorrow, I don’t know. Of course, I hope for a safe life,” he told Insider.

Leaving the apartment to look for food is scary, Stanislav said.

He added that on Friday the city was relatively quiet as Russia was bringing in aid, but that he heard some shooting in the street.”

Russia has delivered some humanitarian aid to Ukraine since it invaded. But Stanislav said he would not eat the food for fear it has been poisoned, though he did not offer evidence to show the fears were justified.

Stanislav said that he would continue his search for food on Saturday, and hope to find something: “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll find [food] somewhere, I’m not sure.”

Kherson was the first city to be captured by Russian troops in its invasion of Ukraine.

Other residents of the city have said they are concerned about food shortages, the Independent reported. One man in the city told the PA news agency, “this town is going to starve if nothing comes.”

Ukrainian officials also say that the city of Mariupol is running low on food as Russia attacks it, according to the Financial Times. On Wednesday, Al Jazeera reported that food was running low in supermarkets in Kyiv.

Stanislav said on Friday that his apartment building was currently safe, but that he was afraid as Russians have hit residential buildings.

Stanislav previously spoke to Insider on March 2 before Kherson fell to Russian troops, when he said he was trying not to go outside for fear that he could be targeted by Russian troops.

“We are blocked in my city. The Russian soldiers are everywhere, even in the city. They have blocked the city, you cannot pass from one area to walk to another area because they shoot people.”

Author: John Hanno

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Bogan High School. Worked in Alaska after the earthquake. Joined U.S. Army at 17. Sergeant, B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 84th Artillery, 7th Army. Member of 12 different unions, including 4 different locals of the I.B.E.W. Worked for fortune 50, 100 and 200 companies as an industrial electrician, electrical/electronic technician.