Russian drone takes life of farmer, confirming his identity was known
In the heart of the Kherson region of Ukraine, the peaceful life of farmer Oleksandr Hordiienko was shattered by the Russian invasion. Hordiienko, a respected member of the regional council and the chairman of the farmers' association, had been running his farm in the Beryslav district since 1998.
The war brought destruction to Hordiienko's farm, with machinery, vehicles, seed, and livestock suffering losses amounting to approximately 10.3 billion US dollars. The direct and indirect losses and damages to Ukrainian agriculture from the war reached an alarming total of around 80 billion US dollars by the end of 2023.
The number of farmers killed is difficult to determine, but Hordiienko was one of them. He was killed by a Russian drone while working in his vehicle in the Kherson region. His tragic death is a stark reminder of the danger that Ukrainian farmers face every day.
The Russians' targeting of Ukrainian agriculture is evident. In 2023, they blew up the Kakhovka dam, damaging Hordiienko's irrigation system. This incident increased the risk of drought for the first winter grain sowing. Hordiienko faced a difficult rebuilding process, as there were 4,000 landmines on his 1,000 hectares of land, and his farm equipment was destroyed.
The war also led to a significant reduction in fertilizer imports due to high prices. However, the support of nonprofit organisations like the Child Fund from Nürtingen played a crucial role in alleviating the distress caused by the war. The Child Fund provides aid to children and families affected by Russian attacks, helping them cope with the psychological harm caused by the conflict.
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Sadly, eight out of ten farmers in the Kherson region have given up since 2022. The loss of lives, property, and livelihoods is a heavy price to pay for the aggression of a neighbouring country. The story of Oleksandr Hordiienko serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.
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