Volodymyr Rainhearth
graphic artist, comic artist
Staying in the occupied city was his conscious decision. "We say that Kherson is a Ukrainian city. However, if all Ukrainians will leave, how could this be true? Someone should stay. I decided that I should be that "someone". After the liberation of Kherson, the artist also remains in the city.
Artist's statement:
The view from my window on the right bank of the Dnipro river hasn’t changed much, but the meaning of what is happening has changed. Just like before, fogs are creeping across the shore, but now these fogs bear the stench of bodies, rotting on the islands, or the bodies of animals/people left after the flooding caused by the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP. Sometimes dust clouds can also rise, however now those clouds are made of dust from the explosions of a KAB guided bombs. Earlier, when the columns of smoke rose on the left bank, it meant that the reed beds or forests were burning, which filled me with sadness and hate, because it was the same thing all over again: again someone set the forest on fire on purpose, or it just started due to carelessness. However, now, when columns of smoke rise, it means that Russians or their formations or their positions are on fire - and you can rejoice. Of course, the forest and buildings are also burning, together with the enemy. Our forest, our reed beds, our buildings. Our animals are dying. But you are happy, you are happy anyway, because it is BEAUTIFUL!
THE ENEMY IS DYING!