Collaborate or resist and risk your life? Do you escape and say goodbye to your community? These are the dilemmas you're faced with living in occupied Ukraine. This is the story of one man grappling with these questions, a plight faced by millions of Ukrainians.
Oleksiy played the character of a Russian farmer to run errands to help his community under occupation
The Russians had moved into the area surrounding Oleksiy's village a few days after they invaded southern Ukraine in late February."I felt enormous fear, animal fear for my life, family, friends and neighbours". "A large Kamaz armoured truck followed by an armoured personnel carrier drove straight into my yard... eight soldiers with machine guns poured out of the vehicle. One approached me and asked politely how I was feeling. I replied that it had been much better before they arrived."The Russians were lost and looking to locate a huntsman with records of weapon owners in the area.
He was aware of Telegram groups - a popular social media messaging service - where tips on how to leave the occupied zone were shared, as well as information about where Russian checkpoints were. Oleksiy had already promised transport to three female health workers and two of their children, meaning 11 people would now need to pile into his van.