In a moment of desperation, Vitalii Shpalin finally saw a glimmer of hope. From a distance, he spotted a small rescue boat making its way through the floodwaters that had engulfed his entire neighborhood. The catastrophic dam collapse in Ukraine’s troubled south had left Shpalin and others stranded, but now salvation seemed within reach.
With a sense of relief, Shpalin and the others climbed aboard the boat. However, their relief was short-lived as the tranquility was shattered by the sound of gunfire. Bullets whizzed through the air, forcing Shpalin to duck for cover. He could feel the graze of a bullet against his back, followed by searing pain as it pierced his arm and leg. Amidst the chaos, the boat’s rescue worker urgently called for backup over the radio, alerting them to the boat’s leak. Tragically, an elderly man on board succumbed before their eyes, his lips turning blue.
According to Ukrainian officials and witnesses present on the boat, the vessel had come under fire from Russian soldiers positioned in a nearby house. The Russians had initially allowed the boats carrying rescuers to pass, but once they were filled with people seeking safety, the soldiers opened fire without mercy.
“They let the boats through, those coming to rescue people,” Shpalin recounted. “But when the boats were full of people, they started shooting.”
The devastating aftermath of the Kakhovka Dam destruction on June 6 has led to widespread flooding in the Kherson region, particularly affecting towns along the lower Dnieper River. This region has been a front line in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and both sides have traded accusations over the cause of the dam breach.
In the midst of the initial chaos caused by the flooding, Ukrainian rescue workers took it upon themselves to provide a lifeline for desperate civilians stranded in the flooded areas on the Russian-occupied eastern bank. However, these rescue missions were fraught with danger as they had to contend with drones and Russian snipers.
The boats used for the rescue efforts carried volunteers and plainclothes servicemen, shuttling back and forth from the Ukrainian-held areas on the western bank to evacuate people who were stranded on rooftops, in attics, and other precarious locations.
Unfortunately, this window of opportunity for rescue operations is gradually closing. As the floodwaters recede, the rescuers find themselves increasingly hindered by the treacherous and foul-smelling mud. Furthermore, the return of more Russian soldiers to the area has led to a reassertion of control, further complicating the rescue efforts.
Survivor accounts regarding Russian assistance in the wake of the flooding display a range of perspectives. However, a significant number of evacuees and residents have voiced accusations against Russian authorities, claiming that little to no assistance was provided to displaced residents. According to some civilians, evacuees faced the requirement of presenting Russian passports in order to leave the affected areas.
These allegations suggest a lack of support and inadequate response from Russian authorities during the crisis. The reported demand for Russian passports as a condition for evacuation raises concerns about potential limitations imposed on the movement of affected individuals. Such restrictions could further exacerbate the difficulties faced by displaced residents seeking assistance and safety.
It is important to note that these accounts represent the experiences and perceptions of individuals directly affected by the flooding, and further investigation and verification would be required to establish the full extent and accuracy of these allegations.
Despite requests for comment, Russia’s Defense Ministry did not provide a response regarding the actions of authorities in the Russian-occupied flood zone or the attack on the rescue boat when contacted by The Associated Press.
The AP interviewed 10 families who were rescued from the eastern bank, as well as rescue workers, officials, and victims injured during the rescue missions. According to Yulia Valhe, who was evacuated from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, the Russian Federation did not provide any aid or assistance during the disaster. She expressed concern for friends and acquaintances who were left behind and emphasized her inability to help them at the moment, except to urge them to persevere.
The Ukrainian government spokesperson, Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, stated that Ukraine had successfully rescued at least 150 people from Russian-controlled areas through the risky evacuation operations. However, this number is significantly smaller compared to the nearly 2,750 people rescued from flooded regions under Ukrainian control.
Dina Urich, who leads the evacuation department of a local organization called Helping to Leave, reported that they had received requests for assistance from 3,000 people in the occupied zone. This highlights the significant demand for aid and evacuation among Ukrainians living under Russian occupation.
It is essential to consider these firsthand accounts and reports from various sources to gain a broader understanding of the situation, although verification and further investigation would be necessary to ascertain the full extent of the allegations made.
Oleksandr Tolokonnikov acknowledged that Ukraine would make every effort to assist those in need, but emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of their own personnel. He expressed concern over the ongoing threats and acts of violence by the Russians, including shooting people from behind.
Another resident of Oleshky, identified as Olha, was aware of the rescue missions but was unsure how to be included on the evacuation list. She expressed a desire to be rescued but lacked the necessary information to access assistance, choosing not to disclose her last name due to safety concerns.
The rescuers have relied on information provided by relatives of those stranded in the flooded areas. Military drone pilots have played a crucial role in locating individuals and mapping out safe routes amidst the fast-moving waters filled with debris, all while maneuvering around Russian troop positions.
Additionally, the rescuers have provided essential supplies such as water, food, and even cigarettes, often accompanied by notes labeled “from Santa.” These acts of kindness aim to provide some comfort and support to those in distress during this challenging time.
Valerii Lobitskyi, a volunteer rescuer, highlighted that the rescue missions were often disrupted by shelling. He had personally experienced being shot at once, and on another occasion had to abort a mission to save an elderly woman due to a close encounter with a Russian motorboat.
Every civilian who was evacuated from the eastern bank had a harrowing story of survival, racing to higher ground as the floodwaters surged. They recounted the frantic scramble on the morning of June 6, with the water quickly rising from ankle-deep to submerging entire floors.
In the town of Oleshky, many residents relocated from the outskirts to the center, situated on an elevated plain.
Yulia Valhe, who was rescued with her family on June 12, mentioned that neighbors and friends tried to save people themselves in the absence of an official rescue effort. She noted the presence of soldiers and workers from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) but observed a lack of organized rescue services.
Valhe witnessed the tragic fate of an elderly man who attempted to escape the flood by climbing a tree but succumbed to the strong winds. Despite hearing his cries for help, she knew that approaching him would mean risking her own life in the powerful current. The man’s final words to her were, “My dear, stay put, don’t follow me.”
Vitalii Shpalin shared his experience of deceiving Russian soldiers who offered to evacuate him to another area. Aware that those who accepted the offer were taken only to a nearby village and prevented from going further without obtaining Russian passports, Shpalin lied, claiming he had lost his documents in the flood when they were actually in his possession. He expressed skepticism towards the soldiers’ intentions and refused to leave. Eventually, Ukrainian rescuers found him and other civilians seeking shelter on a sandy hill near a quarry in the village of Kardashynka.
The attack on the evacuation boat on June 11 resulted in Shpalin’s injuries, the deaths of three civilians, and injuries sustained by ten others, including at least two police officers. Kherson authorities and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff confirmed that Russian soldiers were responsible for the gunfire. Drone footage obtained by the AP validated the authenticity of the video, showing shots fired from a nearby summer home as the evacuation boat passed an estuary.
Serhii, another evacuee, witnessed Russian soldiers on the balcony of the house who shouted commands such as “Move on” or “Don’t move” before opening fire. He protected his wife by shielding her with his body. The funeral of Vitalii Holodniak, one of the victims of the boat attack, took place amidst the distant sounds of artillery fire in Kherson.
Kateryna Krupych, another evacuee, recalled the mucky water surrounding her home on the island of Chaika in the gray zone between the front lines. She and her family packed their supplies and set off in a boat, but they became separated along the way. Ultimately, they were all rescued by Ukrainian forces.
Krupych described the previous eight months under Russian occupation as challenging, relying on the kindness of neighbors who had fled to Kherson city for survival. They guided her to spare keys and leftover food supplies in their homes. She expressed the mental toll caused by the Russian presence, as soldiers frequently passed their home and pressured them to leave.
For Olha, who remained in Oleshky, the consequences of the dam collapse are ongoing. Many houses are collapsing, and she struggles to find clean water and food. There is a looming risk of waterborne diseases. Furthermore, she expressed fears of forced evacuations by the Russians, hoping not to be forgotten in the midst of the crisis.