“God forbid they abandon us”: Ukrainians under occupation talk about life under Russian rule

Russia is increasing militarization and eradicating Ukrainian identity.

A fifth of Ukraine is now under Russian control, and for Ukrainians living under occupation, it seems unlikely that any future agreement to end the war will change that . Speaking to the BBC, three Ukrainians from different Russian-controlled cities described life under occupation and the policies Russia is pursuing in the captured territories.

Mavka (here and below pseudonyms are used) decided to stay in occupied Melitopol, “because it is unfair that someone can just come to my house and take it away.”

She says that in recent months she has noticed an increase not only in the harsh policy of Russification in the city, but also in the increased militarization of all spheres of life, including schools.

According to Pavel, who lives in Mariupol, the city feels like it is “cut off” from the outside world.

He explains that Russian citizenship is now mandatory if you want to work, study or receive emergency medical care:

“If someone’s child, say, refuses to sing the Russian anthem at school in the morning, the FSB will visit their parents, record them, and then anything can happen.”

According to Pavel, most of those who stayed in Mariupol or returned did so to help their elderly relatives or because of their housing. He notes that the biggest concern in Mariupol is to keep their home, since most of the property damaged by Russian bombing was demolished, and the cost of living and unemployment have skyrocketed:

“I would say that 95% of all conversations in the city are about property: how to get it back, how to sell it. You will hear people talking about it while standing in line for bread, on the way to the pharmacy, at the food market, everywhere,” he says.

Irina, who lives in occupied Crimea, decided to stay, not only to look after an elderly relative, but also because she did not want to leave “her beautiful home”.

She says that on the peninsula all signs of Ukrainian identity in public places have been banned, and she says she can no longer speak Ukrainian in public “because you never know who might report you to the authorities.”

What do Ukrainians under occupation expect from a peace agreement?

As Mavka says, people in the occupation are closely watching what is happening in Kyiv, “because it is important for us to know whether Kyiv is ready to fight for us. Even small steps matter”:

“We have a rollercoaster of emotions here. Many are concerned that documents may be signed that, God forbid, will leave us under Russian occupation for an even longer period. Because we know what Russia will do here.”

They are concerned that if Kyiv agrees to a ceasefire, it could mean Russia will pursue the same policies it has in Crimea, erasing Ukrainian identity and repressing the population.

“They are already replacing the locals with their own people. But the people here are still full of hope, we will continue our resistance, we will just have to be more creative,” she says.

At the same time, Pavel believes that the war must end, even if it means losing the opportunity to return to Ukraine. However, he understands that this decision will not be easy.

“Human life is the greatest value… but there are certain conditions for a ceasefire, and not everyone can agree with them, because the question arises: why did all these people die in the last three years? Would they feel abandoned and betrayed?” he notes.

(C)UNIAN 2025