The Peasantry of RightBank Kherson Region During the Temporary Occupation in 2022

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the study is a comprehensive examination of the condition of the peasantry in Right-Bank Kherson
region under temporary occupation in 2022, particularly in the social, economic, and everyday life aspects, in order to identify
the main trends, challenges, forms of resistance, and the impact of the occupation regime on the rural population of the region.
Conclusions. The paper analyzes the unique phenomenon of internal resistance among the peasantry of the Right Bank
of Kherson region during the occupation of 2022. The author examines the deep social, economic, and cultural mechanisms of
adaptation and defiance that emerged within rural communities in response to external pressure and the destructive actions of
the occupying authorities. Through the lens of historical memory and the collective experience of past traumas — such as the
Holodomor, repressions, and wars — the resilience of Ukrainian peasants against the disruption of their traditional way of life
and their capacity for moral self-preservation becomes evident.
The article traces the everyday life of peasants in the Right Bank area of Kherson region during the temporary occupation
in 2022 as a form of internal and economic resistance. Drawing on personal observations and the collection of oral history
testimonies, the author analyzes the transformations in the agrarian way of life caused by isolation, the collapse of logistics,
and economic pressure from the occupying regime.
The study shows how peasants, relying on historical memory and cultural traditions, adapted to new conditions by refusing collaboration with the occupiers, reestablishing self-sufficiency, a barter economy, and mutual aid. Special attention is
given to the moral and cultural dimensions of resistance, including the preservation of the Ukrainian language, holidays, and
rituals, as well as the internal condemnation of collaborationism within local communities.
In conclusion, the author emphasizes that even in the absence of armed conflict, the everyday life of peasants became a
powerful act of dignity, resistance, and affirmation of national identity. It is stressed that life under occupation in 2022 represents a complex but coherent phenomenon of resistance, encompassing not only material dimensions but also deeply affecting the moral, spiritual, and cultural foundations of existence.
This experience demonstrates the strength of collective memory, the resilience of traditional rural culture, and the deep
maturity of the peasant worldview. The paper not only documents unique historical events but also lays the groundwork for further reflection on the role of the peasantry in preserving Ukrainian identity in the face of military threats and cultural pressure.