How a US Teacher Evaded Russian Troops in Kherson for 8 Months
When on the road, he is afraid to meet acquaintances, especially the elderly, who seem to be less acutely aware of the dangers of the Russians and who sometimes shout friendly greetings – put him in grave danger. None of his friends or neighbors betrayed him.
From hiding, he found a way to continue teaching English online, using a neighbor’s internet connection to connect with students elsewhere in Ukraine and other countries. “It keeps me sane,” he says of being able to work online, even though he has no way of getting paid.
He became worried when he saw a Russian, perhaps a civilian manager in the occupation government, move his family to an apartment abandoned by Ukrainian fugitives in a building across the street. sugar, increasing the risk that he will be discovered.
But over time, he also noticed something that had become clear to the other inhabitants of Kherson: The Russian army was disintegrating. Discipline is broken, soldiers look sloppy, and they often drive stolen local cars rather than military-issued ones.
“Over time, they become more grumpy and more evasive,” he said.
In the last month, he noticed that soldiers stealing expensive cars, like BMWs or Mercedes-Benzes, were taking these cars by barge away from Kherson, further from the front lines. The disappearance of expensive stolen cars, he said, “gives me hope.”
A week before liberation day, he was cut off from the news after a power outage. On Friday, he saw a car go by with the Ukrainian flag fluttering from its antenna. “I know the Russians are gone,” he said.
Mr Morales joined celebrations in the city’s central square on Friday, greeting Ukrainian soldiers as they entered the city without a fight, driving pickup trucks and jeeps. Though happy that the city was liberated, he said, he plans to leave now.