Suspilne Kherson manager: Russians are actively impeding left–right bank communications

The Russian forces are actively impeding communications between the left and right banks of the Dnipro in Kherson oblast. Safety concerns prevent people from subscribing to Ukrainian media, said Suspilne Kherson manager Mykhailo Svarychevskyi in an interview with Detector Media. According to him, the Russians are constantly carrying out “filtration” operations.

“I know that they (people living of the left bank in Kherson oblast. – Ed.) read us, follow the news, but we will not see them as subscribers. There are many pro-Ukraine people there, those who are waiting for Ukraine to return, but due to the occupiers ramping up filtration operations they can not follow or regularly interact with our social media,” Mykhailo Svarychevskyi explained.

He added that people give feedback for Suspilne Kherson reports, in particular on social media, or contact the people who made the news stories.

“Of course, they are grateful. There is also some criticism, we read everything, analyze it. But good feedback outweighs the criticism. We receive are few such messages from the left bank, although we do receive some. I understand what some activity on social media or even in messenger apps can entail for people under occupation,” Mykhailo added.

Suspilne Kherson under occupation

On March 3 in Kherson, the occupiers took over the premises of Suspilne branch and set up trip wires around the building, using it as their headquarters. Military equipment was parked in the courtyard.

The Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office has opened a criminal investigation into the seizure and mining of the Kherson branch of Suspilne Broadcaster by Russian security forces. The case has been opened under Art. 341, part 1 of Art. 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: seizure of state or public buildings, facilities, as well as for violations of the laws and customs of war.

On May 16, Suspilne reported that the Russian military had looted the Suspilne Kherson branch and was using it as a basis to create a propaganda channel.

On November 12, 2022, while retreatig from Kherson to the left bank of the Dnipro, the Russian occupiers blew up a TV tower.

After the city was liberated, Suspilne Kherson manager Mykhailo Svarychevskyi installed the Ukrainian flag on the facade the branch's building again.