In Izyum, Young Ukrainians Fight to Keep a Battered City Alive as Russian Forces Close In
In Izyum, residents are trying to preserve normal life and keep the city’s future alive as Russian forces move closer again.
Izyum, a Ukrainian city once vibrant and bustling, has fallen victim to Russian bombardment. In the wake of the ongoing conflict, a young woman named Violetta Dezhyna is determined to infuse a semblance of normalcy into the city's ravaged streets. Dezhyna, now a 21-year-old, utilizes her social media platforms to capture images of ordinary life amidst the chaos.
Amidst the rubble and broken military vehicles, she strives to showcase moments of beauty, such as blooming flowerbeds and fountains, hidden amongst the destruction.
The Russian army's capture of Izyum, located in the eastern Donbas region, marked the beginning of the city's occupation in 2022. After six months of Russian control, Ukraine reclaimed the city, and most of its pre-war population of 45,000 returned. However, the scars left by the war run deep, both physically and emotionally. As Russian forces draw nearer once more, Dezhyna observes many of her peers leaving the city in search of safety.
For Dezhyna, socializing and feeling a sense of community is vital – she frequents the local gym, where she interacts with older soldiers and their spouses, playing beach volleyball near a river that stands as a symbol of beauty amidst the strife.
The constant threat of explosions is palpable in the city, as evidenced by cracks in the walls and aluminum tape covering windows. Dezhyna and her colleagues work in a danger zone, with thick layers of tape shielding the office from potential shrapnel. In another building, violin music blends with air raid sirens as Tamara Georgina prepares for a wedding; she, along with the groom, a soldier, emphasizes the importance of resisting the enemy's advance and rebuilding their beloved town.
Even amidst the ruins, young people find ways to entertain themselves, vaping in the remnants of a landmark building. Dezhyna, a self-appointed advocate for rebuilding, pushes for the creation of a skate park to ensure that young people have a space to thrive. With Russian forces encroaching once again, she and her family grapple with the difficult decision of whether to leave Izyum, a town that once held great promise, now forever altered by the ravages of war.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
