“We are disgusted to see that the Russian army is targeting civilians without any discernment”: Occitan humanitarians under bombardment in Ukraine

“We heard a siren, then four bombings in a row. We felt the building shake. The strikes were 400 meters from where we were staying.” Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in the morning, the members of the Occitalien association, chaired by Pascal Serrier, once again witnessed the horrors of the war led by Russia in Ukraine.

The volunteers, who left on Sunday during the day from Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne) and from the premises which they will soon have to leave in the Albasud zone, took in their truck around forty pallets of generators, shoes, clothes, but also equipment for the hospital and orphanage in Kharkiv, in the east of Ukraine, about forty kilometers from the border with Russia.

“Houses and buildings are disfigured”

“We are subjected to bombings every day,” continues Pascal Serrier. “Houses and buildings in the city center are disfigured daily under Russian assaults,” he notes.

The first donations obviously go to the military. Reason why the military manager of the region opened his office to the Tarn-et-Garonnaise association. The Tarn-et-Garonnais, helmets on their heads, even went to the front line, to bunkers where Ukrainian soldiers are fighting.

Hospitals and civilians targeted

Second part of the visit: health establishments, which receive equipment to continue, as best they can, their activities. This was the case in the past when receiving entire dental practices, which were dismantled in France before being transported directly to Ukraine. This time, many other tools, including defibrillators and portable electrocardiograms, have passed into the hands of the locals.

But civilian populations are also, unfortunately, targeted by Russian offensives which exert relentless pressure. “We give them shoes, clothes, hygiene and basic necessities,” explains Mr. Serrer.

A meeting with Brian, “a miracle”

This is the case with Brian. The people of Tarn-et-Garonnais met him during this trip. This interview left its mark on the minds of Occitalien's little hands. The man is truly miraculous. He was found under the rubble of a bombing of the city. “He has undergone multiple operations to treat his injuries. However, he absolutely does not want to leave his city, despite the dangers. Kharkiv is his land, he assured us,” concludes Pascal Serrier.

All the members who made the trip agree on one observation: “We are disgusted to know that the Russian army is targeting civilians without any discernment.” Enough to further strengthen their commitment to try, at their level, to provide them with the necessary help. And it's not over yet.

Seeing the terrible human and material damage from the floods in the Valencia region, in Spain, the members of Occitalien have already announced that they were going to launch supplies to help the victims.