‘Drones all night. By morning, you smell the smoke’: life in the last hotel on Ukraine’s frontline
Amid blackouts, artillery fire and the onslaught of Russian drone attacks, the Richelievsky in Kherson provides a refuge for those with nowhere else to go
TL;DR
- The Richelievsky hotel in Kherson is the city's last functioning hotel, now serving as a refuge for displaced people.
- Residents must close curtains before dusk due to Russian drone surveillance, which targets civilians.
- Hotel manager Yevhen Emtsov provides free rooms and meals to 41 residents, prioritizing safety and shelter.
- The hotel experienced occupation, with Russian patrols questioning residents and taking fingerprints.
- Residents face daily threats from drones and artillery, with some losing their homes and belongings.
- Despite the dangers, residents find a community and support system at the hotel, with some continuing to work in the city.
- A recent drone attack targeted the hotel manager and helpers, highlighting the ongoing risks involved in providing aid.