Parts of Ystad are transformed into a war scene when the large military exercise Aurora moves into town. So far most exercises have taken place in the harbor but this week there will be combat exercises in an urban environment.
– It could be a Swedish child who thinks it’s really cool that there is a military convoy on the roads while other children are hiding, says Fredrik Hagenkötter, integration coordinator in Ystad.
It is important that the children understand
He says that they inform parents and children in the schools about what is happening so they understand that it is a peaceful exercise.
– I explain to my daughter that these are military exercises and that they are important for Sweden and she understands, says Oksana Sazonova, who has a nine-year-old daughter who goes to school in Ystad.
But there are families who choose to keep their children at home during Aurora.
– There are parents who want to be with their children now. Then it’s okay that they don’t go to school, says Anna Redko, who works as language support for other refugees from Ukraine.
