Ukraine war: ‘Russians are even trying to ban our holidays' - life in occupied territories

Ukrainians in Russian-held land tell the BBC about the difficulties of life under occupation.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewsletters'Russians are even trying to ban our holidays' - life in occupied Ukraine2 days agoShareSaveVitaliy ShevchenkoRussia editor, BBC MonitoringShareSaveGetty ImagesA file photo shows a woman and child walking past a poster proclaiming "For Russia! For the President! For Sevastopol!" "Russians are trying to ban everything Ukrainian here: language, and also traditions. Even Ukrainian holidays are forbidden."

This is the sorrow and fear of a rarely heard voice from within Ukraine - that of someone living in one of the Russian-occupied areas of the country. We are calling her Maria.

As the US leads efforts to negotiate peace in Ukraine, those living under Russian occupation face a brutal, repressive future.

Already, the Kremlin has put in place severe restrictions designed to stamp out Ukrainian identity, including harsh punishments for anyone who dares to disagree.

Now, there are fears that Kyiv could be forced to give up at least some of the territory occupied by Russia as part of a potential ceasefire or peace deal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93gy91y43vo

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