Balkans | Wounds have healed in the city of Kharkiv, reflecting the bitter face of the war in Ukraine

Although the Ukrainian military recaptured most of the Kharkiv region from Russian forces as a result of a counter-offensive last year, many civilians are still unable to return to the city due to the destruction of their homes.

Work continues to restore some public buildings and residences in the city of Kharkiv that bear heavy war scars as a result of the intense bombing since February 2022 when the Russian Federation started the war in Ukraine.

Since Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, which is close to the Russian border, has been the target of Russian attacks since the beginning of the war on February 24, 2022, there has been great destruction in many parts of the city.

Despite the fact that the Ukrainian army recaptured most of the Kharkiv region from Russian forces as a result of a counterattack in the fall of last year, houses have been destroyed. Many civilians are still unable to return to the city.

In the city, where the traces of the war are still fresh, restoration work is underway on badly damaged public buildings and residences.

Destroyed area: Severnaya Saltyvka

And the Severnaya Saltyvka area, where many homes, kindergartens and school buildings were destroyed as a result of the attacks of the Russian army in the first days of the war, reflects the bitter face of the war.

It is noted that restoration work is taking place on damaged homes in the neighborhood, which is often the target of artillery shelling due to its proximity to the front, and people cannot return to their homes until September for security reasons.

Municipality teams continue cleaning work in the settlement, which was destroyed and where gas and heating services have not yet been provided.

In the area, where energy is also partially supplied, experts are trying to renew the electrical connections, and after the building reinforcement work, repairs are also carried out in the houses where people can live.

People are looking forward to the opportunity to return home.

Alina, 38, who collected the demands of those whose homes were destroyed in the neighborhood and passed them on to the municipal authorities, gave information about her work to the AA reporter.

Alina, who did not want to reveal her surname for security reasons, indicated that restoration and repair work is continuing so that people can return to the neighborhood.

Explaining that she and her family were evacuated because of the war, Alina said, “The war started at 04:30 in the morning on February 24. We were all at home. We immediately left our house and were evacuated.” He said.

Pointing out that some people who have nowhere to go stay in the neighborhood, Alina said: “We call these people ‘people who love Severnaya Saltyvka.’” He said.

Alina confirmed that the area received the biggest blow because it is close to the road leading to the Russian border, and that “all infrastructures in the surrounding area were damaged.” He said.

Alina stated that repairs were made in the homes where she could live in order to bring life back to the neighborhood, and said: “The destruction is severe. That is why people can only return here in the spring.” He said.

Alina said that she was also involved in the process of drawing up a list of civilians who demanded the repair of homes and sending it to the relevant institutions, “People want to go home. We are not afraid of anything here. We are used to everything. If possible, we will all go home immediately.” In fact, there are still people staying at home here with no electricity and no services.” Use his statements.

AA