Ukraine, deputy governor Cernihiv: “we are a destroyed outpost in defense of Kiev and the country”

“Our city from day one is an outpost that defends not only Kiev but all of Ukraine”. “Today Ukraine is fighting for its sovereignty and for the freedom of her and the world.” One month after the start of the war, Nina Lemesch, deputy governor of the regional administration of Cernihiv, as well as European biathlon champion in 2006, tells Adnkronos about the commitment and destruction suffered by the town in northern Ukraine, where the Russians yesterday they bombed and destroyed a crucial bridge to connect Chernihiv to the capital, essential for delivering humanitarian aid and allowing the evacuation of civilians. “We have an inhuman neighboring country – comments the deputy governor – The city is completely destroyed. Now without a bridge and without connection with the rest of the mainland. Some have tried to cross the river by boat, but the other side can be mined,” like mined roads. There are no safe areas. For a month the city has been subject to direct attacks from the air and from the earth. Launched with banned rockets and missiles. People, especially mothers and children, managed to escape: A month ago 265 thousand people lived in Cernihiv, now there are 120 thousand. Here there are no communications, gas reaches very little of the city, water and electricity have been lacking for a week. Unfortunately it is impossible to restore everything, because the level of destruction exceeds our resources physical. We are on the verge of humanitarian catastrophe. “. Nina Lemesch tells how we survive in Chernihiv: “We take the water with pumps activated by the generators from the aquifers. But it is not filtered. So it must at least be boiled before use. We deliver it to the citizens with containers as it is impossible to supply. to centralized supply. This involves large lines of people at the distribution points. “. File also for recharging mobile phones or calling loved ones:” people gather in groups in certain areas of the city where there are generators to charge the mobile phones and being able to find the field and call their loved ones. There is no longer television and only one operator for mobile telephony “. The deputy governor remarks: “The enemy does not attack military targets but destroys civilian infrastructure. It has bombed a children’s hospital, schools, libraries, universities, theaters, stadiums, the training base for our ski athletes. At least 10 civilian condominiums. totally destroyed and many private homes … “What is the death toll? “In the city we bury about 50 people a day – he replies – Due to poor communications there is no awareness of what is really happening in Cernihiv. But I realize that it is difficult to understand certain things when not touched in person. “There was a day when a missile hit a residential building killing 47 people. There is not a moment of peace. The attacks are continuous, the noises are continuous. What is most frightening is the roar of the planes.” Because you don’t know where it will hit. But you know it will hit hard. ” What is her appeal? “As long as Russia feels able to dictate the conditions to the rest of the world, nowhere in the world will we be safe. I ask each and every one to demonstrate, protest, ask their government to stop Russia. Because if not it. let’s stop the war, it will come to your home “, he concludes. (by Roberta Lanzara)