“How can they live next to Ukrainian widows and orphans?”: a scandal in the network due to Vereshchuk’s initiative to help refugees from the Kursk region
Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk initiated Ukraine’s acceptance of refugees from the Kursk region and providing them with all the necessary conditions for temporary residence during the conflict. However, the realization that those who lost relatives and homes in this war may be forced to live next to citizens of the Russian Federation caused a violent reaction among Ukrainians. How can you continue living when those whose relatives brought death and destruction to our land are nearby? This is a question that is now being sought for answers not only in social networks, but also in the hearts of those who are experiencing the worst consequences of this war.
Ukraine remains faithful to the norms of international humanitarian law and must provide assistance to civilian residents of Kursk Oblast who have found themselves on the territory controlled by Ukraine. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk said about this.
“We are currently working with the military on a possible humanitarian corridor route for civilians from Kurshchyna to Sumy.
Regarding the humanitarian corridor towards the Russian Federation: there is such a possibility, but on the condition of a corresponding official request from the Russian side. So far, no such request has been received.”, – wrote Iryna Vereshchuk in her Facebook.
In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed the opinion that Ukraine should be ready to accept refugees from the Kursk region and provide them with all the necessary conditions for temporary residence during the conflict.
“I am writing in Russian so that Russians can understand:
Due to the possible deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the adjacent territories of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, Ukraine must be ready to receive Russian refugees.
Therefore, the Ministry of Reintegration has opened a 24-hour hotline for residents of the Kursk region who need humanitarian assistance or want to evacuate to Ukraine,” – reports Vereshchuk y Telegram.
This decision caused a significant resonance and great indignation among Ukrainians who they perceive it as a betrayal and an unacceptable compromise. This issue is especially acute in the context of living next to people who, although they are civilians, still represent a nation that is responsible for the war and grief that fell on Ukrainian soil. Some spoke against citizens of Russia, which is actively attacking our territory with missiles, receiving asylum in Ukraine.
Social media users also claim that refugees from the Kursk region can become gunners of Russian missiles in the territories where they will temporarily live. In addition, Ukrainians note that it is impossible to live next to people whose relatives and friends came to kill our compatriots.
“Can you even imagine how they will pass by orphans, widows, parents who have lost children, past soldiers who gave their best years to protect the state? To eat our bread while our boys can only dream of it? This is bullying!”, – commented on Vereshchuk’s post on Facebook, Olena from Sumy.
People also wrote under Iryna Vereshchuk’s post:
It is worth noting that under Vereshchuk’s message there is no comment supporting the initiative of the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine and Iryna Vereshchuk personally.
Outraged Ukrainians left hundreds of comments, but the author of the initiative, Iryna Vereshchuk, did not respond to any of them. This shows that the opinion of Ukrainians does not seem to bother the officials at all.
