Oleksandr Menshov – writer, journalist, and volunteer from Kherson who endured six months of occupation. Author of “I, Fox and the Occupation. Diary of a Khersonite” (2023), a moving account from under siege. He evacuated his family, joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and died in November 2023. His story became the voice of Kherson in its darkest hours.
🖊 “Fox” in the title refers to his cat, a family symbol who lived through the occupation. 💬 The diary captures six months of fear, hope, and small joys under enemy rule. 🚗 Evacuated his family by crossing 25 enemy checkpoints. 🎙 Secretly held online Ukrainian history lessons for children during occupation. 📰 Before the war, wrote detective fiction, alternate history, and essays. 🛡 After evacuation, joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine for his daughter’s future. ⚔ Fell in battle near Klishchiivka. 🏛 In Kherson, a cultural center was named after him. 😂 Funny: joked that readers cared more about Fox the cat than about him.