Izjum and its inhabitants have experienced hard times under the Russian occupation. Some of the brutalities are just being revealed. ‘s foreign reporter Antti Kuronen visited the city.
Antti Kuronen,
Veera Pennanen
IZJUM/HELSINKI Russia occupied the city of Izjum for months. Ukrainian forces liberated the city last weekend.
The destruction is enormous, and the atrocities are only beginning to be revealed. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi has confirmed that a mass grave has been found in the city.
Anatolii, who lives in Izjum, was involved in building this apartment building more than 30 years ago.
Currently, the building does not have electricity, gas or geothermal heat. He and the others are cooking outside. He is happy about the return of the Ukrainians.
Ukrainian forces have adopted Russian equipment.
A blue cross, the symbol of Ukrainian military equipment, is drawn over the Russian military insignia.
The humanitarian situation in the city is dire. Townspeople lined up for humanitarian aid in front of the I love Izjumia sign on Thursday. Among other things, food and medicine were distributed to them.
A building destroyed by Russia can be seen in the background.
Jelena rejoices at the return of the Ukrainians. She is really happy and says that everything will be fine now. For almost half a year he lived in fear. During this time, the Russians, among other things, tortured his friend.
During the Russian occupation, the city had no contact with the outside world. People are now calling their relatives in Ukraine for the first time in six months.
In terms of logistics, Izjum is considered an important junction city in eastern Ukraine. Bridges to the city were destroyed, but a temporary bridge was completed just before President Zelensky’s visit.
Zelenskyi visited the city on Wednesday.
The Russian occupation administration kept its headquarters in the office building. Locals say the Russians set it on fire to destroy all documentation.
The Russians fled from the center of Izjum without a fight.
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