There is tension, but no panic
Shebekinsky district has been under continuous shelling for the fourth day. Residents of the district are slowly leaving the villages in search of safer places. Most go to Belgorod in the hope that there will surely be a shelter for them in the capital of the region. Meanwhile, the residents of Belgorod themselves are divided in opinion: some remain calm and cool, while others are trying to leave much safer. MK learned about what is happening now in the city and what local residents think about what is happening.
Now, six temporary accommodation centers have been deployed for residents of the Shebekinsky District in Belgorod. The largest of them is located within the walls of the Belgorod-Arena sports complex. Arrivals are registered at the entrance and prompt medical assistance is provided if required.
The life of the PVRs is uncomplicated — made beds in a row, modestly, but cleanly. The main thing for people now is that they simply do not shoot. There are both psychologists and volunteers here. There are many young mothers with children, many elderly people among whom there are also disabled people. Who has the strength and ability – they go further. “I have already left for Moscow,” a young resident of the Belgorod region shared with us, “In my village, I almost came under fire, I was lucky that I remained intact. It's a complete nightmare.
Anxiety is felt in the city itself, but not so much. On the territory of the Belgorod region, «yellow» has long been introduced the level of terrorist danger, in the city signs are hung everywhere: «Shelter». Belgorod residents complain: the sounds of shelling coming from afar are really frightening. Last year 36% of residents thought it was worth leaving Belgorod for a while, 14% believed that the city was well protected, and 24% would be glad to leave, but nowhere. Now the number of those who are trying to leave these lands is growing every day. The rest try not to panic.
“In Belgorod, everything is calm,” said MK. Maria, a local resident, — explosions are heard at night, but this is Shebekino, and it is 60 kilometers from us. And so the city continues to live its own life, people walk, go to work. There is definitely no panic.
— Many want, but cannot. They stop themselves, think: what about work? When I leave, what will I live on, how long will I leave? And if we talk about the private sector, then many of them have farms, cattle, chickens at least, what to do with them?
— It's practically impossible. Who needs them? They just leave. Then sometimes they come, look, or the neighbors look after.
The tension in society also affected the relations of Belgorod residents with relatives and friends from the neighboring Sumy region. Previously, ties were traditionally close: trips to visit each other, friendly gatherings. Now all this is in the past.
“I don’t communicate with my relatives, for example,” said MK. Yelena, a resident of Belgorod, — Well, someone communicates, of course, with relatives, with children or parents, but everyone tries not to touch on the subject of SVO when communicating. In order not to quarrel and not harm each other. You never know who and what can say too much».
— So, it's probably easier. If there are no close relatives, but there are just friends and acquaintances. There are those who are extremely negative towards their neighbors. And everyone can be understood. Someone evenly communicates, someone openly hates.
“I can’t tell you anything about communicating with relatives“ behind the cordon ”, — said local resident Ivan. — There is simply no connection with them. And so it is with many.