KHERSON, Ukraine — Within the liberated metropolis of Kherson, Ukrainians have been tearing down a obtrusive image of occupation — billboards spreading Russian propaganda.
All through the southern metropolis that was beneath Russian occupation for practically 9 months, the Russians had put up billboards declaring town a part of Russia or selling essential figures from their previous.
That is a part of a propaganda battle that has been waged over Ukraine in tandem with the one being fought on the battlefield. Moscow has tried to unfold its model of historical past and the continued battle on social networks, but in addition within the territories of Ukraine beneath its management.
A number of the billboards in Kherson referred to World Warfare II, but in addition to the Kremlin-orchestrated referendums that had been held in 4 areas of Ukraine in September as a pretext for his or her illegal annexation by Russia.
Kherson is situated in one of many 4 areas, however Russia misplaced town and the encompassing area to Ukraine in November in a serious and humiliating defeat.
Town has since skilled energy outages and repeated shelling whereas proof of atrocities dedicated through the occupation have emerged. Ukrainian authorities have evacuated some residents fearing they gained’t be capable of cope due to the harm inflicted on the infrastructure.
Amid the hardship and destruction, the Russian propaganda billboards have fueled anger and resentment. Not even renewed Russian shelling stopped neighborhood staff from eradicating the much-despised pro-Russian messages.
