In the south of Ukraine, in Odesa, Vladimir Putin’s statement about partial mobilization in Russia is perceived with sarcasm, reports the local correspondent of Radio Romania News, Aleksandra Buzike. The Romanian journalist talked to several Odessans who are deeply affected by the almost seven-month war.

In the city of Odesa, which is called the “pearl of Ukraine”, there were no more explosions, but people suffered psychologically and economically. In addition, they live in constant fear of an attack by the Russians.

To Aleksandr Buzike: “I walked around Odesa and talked to some residents shortly after the speech of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in which he announced partial mobilization. Many people told me that this announcement did not affect them at all, on the contrary – Ukrainians are becoming even stronger and now more than ever they support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This is what Nastya, a 32-year-old woman who lives in the Primorsky District, told me. “Putin’s speech does not affect us, the citizens of Ukraine. Of course, this will be a problem for our army. I think that the counteroffensive will bear fruit, and the war will be over by the end of the year!”, the young woman believes.

Photo: Alexander Buzike

Volodymyr holds the same opinion: “I don’t think that Russia will be able to mobilize 300,000 people, as it is being circulated. Even if some Russian citizens support the war, I am sure that few want to fight.

As for the referendum that the Russians want to organize, I don’t think it will be possible, because our army will definitely win! Glory to Ukraine!”, says the man.

Not all Ukrainians are so optimistic about the war. Serhiy is 41 years old and believes that the war will last another year or even two. He worries about the draft and realizes that the strengthening of the Ukrainian military will be needed to resist a possible strong Russian offensive.

“I think it will be more and more difficult for us, this is a new declaration of war, and now I am afraid that we will also be taken into the Ukrainian Armed Forces, because people will be needed for defense. I think that the war will last a year or two…”, the man added.

Photo: Alexander Buzike

Nowadays, life in Odessa seems to be going on as usual. However, people always carry with them the fear of being attacked. Despite the fact that they have withdrawn from some Ukrainian settlements, the Russians continue to attack cities inhabited by civilians.

In the south of Ukraine, in Mykolaiv, the humanitarian situation remains difficult. People have neither drinking water nor heating, especially since the temperature at night drops below 9 degrees during this period.

A survey published recently by the National Institute of Sociology in Kyiv shows that, despite a decrease in income due to the war, 81% of Ukrainians say they have donated money to the Armed Forces at least once in the past 6 months.

The full-scale war has affected every citizen of Ukraine, with many reporting reduced wages, high inflation, and deteriorating mental and physical health.

Photo: Alexander Buzike