More and more of our compatriots can be seen in the markets and shops of the near-border Ukrainian cities. For example, Homiel citizens are massively buying fruits and vegetables of Ukrainian origin in Chernihiv.
“We have bough fruits,cherries, tomatoes, cucumbers … Because everything is fresh and good,” said one of the Belarusians buyers in Chernihiv.
Why is it not good to buy Belarusian cucumbers and tomatoes and Belarusian products in general? The main reason is price.
In the struggle of the refrigerator with a TV, the Belarusian economic miracle has put a decisive blow to the Russian propaganda. When the prices of domestic products increased significantly, Belarusians from the border regions became much less afraid of the mythical Bandera, described in such a detail by the Kremlin TV channels.
“Now there are a lot of buses. At first they were probably afraid, now buses run regularly. We normally have 10-20 cars coming here,” said one of the local vendors.
Thanks to the Belarusians, very small Ukrainian border towns like Zarichne in Rivne region are alive again. On Wednesday, when the local market is open, Zarichne citizens greet the invasion of Pinsk shoppers.
Belarusians from our side of the Palessye buy large bags full of not only fruits and vegetables, but also of sweets and clothes.
They buy lard, bacon, and sausage that you need to smuggle. The reasons are the same – lower prices and more choice. And on the weekend Belarusians come to Ukrainian shops for household appliances. They sweep the shelves clean..
But even on the market the big difference between the two brotherly peoples is evident.
“They live in the Soviet Union. They never talk about politics. They are afraid,” stressed in an interview with Belsat a trader in the market.
After all, talking about politics is nothing like smuggling sausage. It is a bit scary at first.
Yaraslau Stseshyk, belsat.eu/en/