A Visit to the Gateway for Ukrainian Prisoners of War Freed from Russia
May 31, 2024
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The podcast explores the compassionate reception of Ukrainian prisoners returning from Russia in a small border town. It also discusses the challenges faced by a local newspaper in documenting the impact of Russia's invasion on the village, including war stories and emotional struggles of families.
The local newspaper, Peremoga, shifted its focus to document the impact of the war on the community, ensuring fallen soldiers are not just statistics.
Villagers in Krasnopillia display unwavering support and empathy for returning soldiers, reflecting the community's solidarity and resilience amid conflict.
Deep dives
Life in a Ukrainian Town Near the Russian Border
In a town near the Russian border in Ukraine, villagers and a small newspaper play pivotal roles in welcoming back Ukrainian prisoners of war and soldiers' bodies. The local newspaper, Peremoga, has shifted its focus from covering local matters to documenting the impact of the war on the community. Editor Oleksandr Motsny and his team have become war correspondents, reporting on the return of soldiers, both alive and deceased, held by Russians. The newspaper strives to ensure that fallen soldiers are not just statistics, documenting every convoy bringing back Ukrainian soldiers.
Community Resilience Amid Conflict
The proximity of the town to the Russian border exposes its residents to the harsh realities of the war, where the return of soldiers' bodies and prisoners of war evokes mixed emotions of mourning and celebration. Villagers, like Nadia Nouruzhna and Natalia Kucherenko, emotionally await the return of soldiers, displaying unwavering support and empathy. Oleksandr Motsny exemplifies community resilience by not only reporting on the attacks but also aiding the wounded and clearing rubble at the scene. The community's solidarity and determination to support each other amid the conflict highlight their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
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The Gateway Town for Returning Ukrainian Prisoners from Russia
The Ukrainian border town of Krasnopillia, in the country's northeast, is near the only open checkpoint between Ukraine and Russia. When Ukrainians are freed from Russian captivity, or when the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers are returned, they usually come through the town. Our correspondent visited and found the returning countrymen are always welcomed by residents and the staff from the town's scrappy local newspaper.