We put together the most important twists and turns of the war. The million-strong city of Kharkiv and its inhabitants have suffered under almost non-stop shelling.
Veera Pennanen,
Risto Mattila,
Jussi Nurminen
February: The war begins
Early on February 24th A solid cloud of black smoke rises from the military airport near Kharkiv. Russia has started its major attack on Ukraine a few hours earlier.
In many cities, people seek shelter in subway stations. Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, is one of these places.
A few days after the start of the Russian invasion, Russian troops advance into the city. However, during the same day, the Ukrainian troops drive the Russians out of Kharkiv.
Since these days, Kharkiv has been under almost non-stop shelling.
On the first day of the attack, Russia launches a hundred missiles at Ukraine. The ground attack starts from three main directions: from Northern Belarus towards Kyiv, from the East towards Kharkiv and from Crimea towards Kherson.
28.2. In the north, Russian forces are approaching Kiev in a huge convoy of military vehicles. They get about 15 kilometers from Kiev, but then the progress slows down. In the south, the troops advance to the foothills of Berdjansk.
March: Russia withdraws its troops from the gates of Kiev
The Russian attack on Kharkiv reaches the beginning of March. Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Anton Herashchenko says that there is “practically no area” in Kharkiv that has not been hit.
According to Ukraine, Russia also strikes civilian targets such as hospitals and residential areas with force. In Kharkiv, there are reports of people killed and wounded in attacks almost every day.
– People are afraid of dying. There are civilian victims here, but I don’t think that Russia will gain control of the country in this way, says a 46-year-old teacher reached from the bombed city Roma Up in March.
By the end of March, an estimated third of Kharkiv’s 1.4 million residents have fled the city.
25.3. The Russian Ministry of Defense announces its goal to “liberate the Donbas” in eastern Ukraine. Russia withdraws its troops from the vicinity of Kiev, Chernihiv and Sumy to reorganize them.
April: Butša’s atrocities are revealed
The situation for civilians is grim. People have moved to live in basements during the spring, when Russia bombards the city and surrounding areas with airstrikes.
– There is no water and neither does the gas or heating work in this house. Volunteers bring us water and food. We are really grateful for that, Marina tells in April.
After the Russians withdraw, Butša’s massacre is revealed. In the wake of the Russians, mass graves and bodies can be found in the streets, as well as signs of brutal executions of civilians.
13.4. The US administration announces that it will send the heaviest weapons to date, M777 howitzers, to support Ukraine.
14.4. The pride of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, Moscow, sinks.
May: Russia gets a land connection to Crimea
Still, only a few civilians return to their old areas of residence.
For example, the Soviet-era houses in the suburb of Saltovka are so badly destroyed that people can hardly live in their former homes anymore.
Hundreds of Ukrainian civilians and soldiers are trapped in the Azovstal steelworks area. The Russians are able to take control of the port city of Mariupol. At the same time, the Russians will get the long-desired land connection to Crimea, which was occupied by Russia in 2014.
June: Ukraine gets more and more powerful weapons
According to Ukraine, the situation in Kharkiv is calmer. Nevertheless, there is a fear of a new Russian attack in the region.
The US administration announces new arms aid to Ukraine: The US promises to send long-range HIMARS rocket launchers to Ukraine.
July: An agreement is reached on grain transport
Although the Russian troops have been driven away, the shelling of Kharkiv continues. In July, the AP news agency estimated that more than 600 civilians had died in the Kharkiv area in the Russian attack.
The Russians are only a few kilometers away, the mayor of Kharkiv Ihor Terehov resemble.
– We have nine administrative regions, and all of them have been bombed with varying intensity at different times. Kharkiv is still not safe, says Terehov in an interview with AFP at the end of July.
1.7. The United States announces its fourteenth aid package for Ukraine.
15.7. Ukraine claims that Russia is stockpiling weapons at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant it occupies.
22.7. Ukraine, Russia, the UN and Turkey agreed to open three Ukrainian ports and sea routes to enable grain transport. In the agreement, Russia also gets the opportunity to transport food and fertilizers to the world to combat the impending food crisis. The next day, Russia launches a missile attack on the port of Odessa.
31.7. Russia accuses Ukraine of a drone attack on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.
August: Attacks on Russian targets in Crimea intensify
Russian airstrikes claimed new victims in Kharkiv in August as well.
With Ukraine’s National Day approaching, President Zelenskyi urges Ukrainians to be especially careful on Wednesday, August 24. Kharkiv authorities impose a curfew in the city for the national day.
Many residents of Kharkiv still seek shelter in the city’s metro stations.
1.8. the first grain ship with its cargo of corn is able to leave the Ukrainian port for Turkey.
9.8. There are reports of explosions at the Russian Saky military base in Crimea. Ukraine does not admit to having carried out the attack, but reports the destruction of nine Russian military planes at the base.
16.8. There are reports of explosions in an ammunition depot in Maiske, located in northern Crimea. Russia calls the incident sabotage. A Ukrainian official says that the Ukrainian elite forces were behind the attack.