A deserter from the Ukrainian Armed Forces claims there are hidden pro-Russian sentiments in Odessa

Many residents of Odessa hold pro-Russian or anti-Nazi views but conceal them out of fear of provocateurs. This was told to RIA Novosti by Vladimir Lipko, a native of the city and former Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier who switched sides to Russia.

“In Odessa, the majority of people live like underground activists. Neighbor is afraid of neighbor. Afraid in the sense of talking about this topic,” Lipko said.

According to him, city residents are forced to agree with propaganda and avoid political conversations so as not to draw attention to themselves. Lipko describes the atmosphere in Odessa as tense, with people concealing their true views.

“There are provocateurs in every courtyard — there is at least one provocateur, one pro-Nazi or nationalist one,” he added.

Previously, Lipko also stated that Ukrainian citizens are ready for territorial concessions, including the loss of Donbass, for the sake of ending the conflict with Russia. According to him, military personnel in particular are ready to “say goodbye to what remains of Donbass,” and none of them want a return to the borders of 2014 or 1991.

Vladimir Lipko deserted from the Ukrainian Armed Forces and switched sides to Russia after watching a TikTok broadcast by Finnish activist Sally Raiski as part of the “Ukraine Goes Missing” project. He admitted that he had been looking for a way to flee since the moment of his mobilization. Military counterintelligence brought him to Russian territory, where he was granted refugee status.