When watermelons grow in fields that were minefields just months before, you know you’re witnessing something extraordinary. One deoccupied village in Kherson region that Lara had visited in 2023 didn’t have a house left intact, yet, incredibly, some people had started moving back almost immediately; the Russians had been pushed back far enough.  Initially, they lived amongst the landmines in makeshift shelters built around the ruins of their houses.  Now, to most that may seem crazy, but when you understand the depths of the connections the people have to their village, their land, you can begin to see why.

Two years on, when we visit again (first time for me) progress was slow, but it was happening.  Life and hope were returning.  Destruction was still widespread, most of the village houses remained as they were, with some walls and rubble.  Some were still roped off with UXO/landmine warning signs.  The village power lines and poles had been repaired.  Five or six new houses were under construction, and many cheap temporary shed-type dwellings were erected about the place, thanks to an international NGO called Razom providing some materials.  They are nothing fancy, simple yet functional; the locals love them and are extremely grateful for the help.

Landmines had been cleared from some paddocks and most of the village area, but many remain scattered.  For a long time, though, a small thread of fear or trepidation surely must remain with every step as people venture, for whatever reason, into uncertain areas, which even after clearing is not 100%.  A farmer was sharing how he had paid for his paddock to be cleared but shockingly had dislodged more than one while later working his paddocks.  He would be dead if they exploded, and he does not understand why they didn’t.  Land mines were banned for good reasons.

Much deeper water bores need to be drilled now as the disgraceful Russian act of bombing the Khahovka Dam has lowered the groundwater level significantly.  Water is a much bigger issue in a huge area now due to the loss of this dam (not to mention the thousands of lives lost in this terrorist act).

A family had proudly grown a crop of the legendary “Kherson” watermelons in their de-mined paddock.  They had proudly shown Lara on the first trip a newspaper clipping of their award-winning watermelons, but dared not walk anywhere near this paddock, which was full of mines.  This time, we bought extra melons from them to share with people in other areas of Ukraine, and eyes lit up when the fruits’ origins became known.  Kherson watermelons are famous in Ukraine.  I suspect, though, that the thought that they had returned from out of the landmines- a symbol of hope-well exceeded the eating experience. Despite Russia’s attempts at obliteration, Ukraine returns and continues to live and grow.  This village was an incredible example of Ukrainian resilience, hope, perseverance and charity.  Putin really did underestimate these people, this country.

Watermelons arising out of landmines is but one small example of Ukraine defying Putin’s attempts to demoralise and conquer them.  Throughout the country, Ukrainians have refused to let Russia’s brutality stop them.  Life continues as normal as possible under the situation.  Sometimes I feel that Ukraine should get on a war footing similar to Russia.  But this is the difference between the mentality of the countries.  The freedom-loving mentality of Ukrainians versus the more soviet mentality of Russia.

But let’s not look through rose-coloured glasses only.  Many villagers see no other option but to return to their land if or when they can.  They cannot afford other land, and they cannot afford rent. This is their homeland, their community, with long generational ties. Will it ever return to what it was after such complete devastation and so much death, though?  Obviously it will never be the same, but a village is made up of people, and if the people come a village will return. 

Many just don’t want to live anywhere else, regardless of the damage and dangers.  Some we met feared the cities anyway, as they get bombed more regularly.  But many do not have the choice of returning, as their land is under Russian occupation.  Still more desperate refugees are created as Putin’s army slowly crawls forward (at the cost of countless wasted Russian lives), creating an even heavier toll on Ukraine.

One thing I see clearly, now that I’ve spent time in Ukraine, is that Putin has picked one tough opponent to fight.  Like when the Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk, quoted “Don’t push the horses”, I think Putin may have done just that.  But after nearly 4 years of this full-scale invasion and 11 years since the initial invasion, Ukraine desperately needs and deserves all our support to send Russia back home.  Russia has shown continuously since the start of this invasion, and even well before that, that they are no respecter of international laws and decency.  Putin has shown he deserves no space, no acceptance, in a world where freedoms and justice are valued as he represents the antithesis of this. 

Australians, please rally our government to support Ukraine.  Unbelievably, in 2025 so far, monetarily, the Australian government has supported Russia more than they have Ukraine. This is because we continue to buy Russian oil through Indian,Turkey and Singapore refineries – while at the same time having committed no new military or humanitarian aid in 2025. This is not going unnoticed within the international community and is not painting us in a positive light in those countries we see ourselves aligned to in values.

Read this again – Australians are paying for bombs that are dropped on innocent civilians….

Many claim this is not our war because it is on the other side of the world.  But this cannot be a serious argument nowadays, surely?  The world after all has become a much smaller place as technology improves.  But to me, the strongest counter to this argument is to ask what kind of world we want to live in.  American power over recent generations has bought mostly peaceful times.  Yes I agree they were far from perfect and no doubt greed and power sometimes ruled their decisions, but generally it was a time of peace and prosperity, of a generally “just and fair” global order for most. 

Russia has shown time and time again throughout their history that they are no respecter of justice, fairness or human rights.  Frighteningly the opposite actually.  Russian control of Ukraine, (and yes, the kremlin has made it clear that this is the goal,) will boost Russian influence, Russian power, Russian reach well into “our” world.  Regardless of all this, as was said earlier, Russian behaviour in Ukraine alone, let alone in other countries like Chechnya, Syria, Sudan etc should see it as an international pariah if our world has any sense of right and wrong.

This is what your donations make possible: not just survival, but watermelons rising from minefields, doctors choosing to stay, and villages refusing to die. Stand with Ukraine.