On September 9, the Ukrainian military liberated the city of Kupyansk along with other settlements in the Kharkiv region. Russian forces are now hammering it from afar with nightly missile attacks.
Weeks After Liberation, Kupyansk Residents Persevere Amid Continued Missile Attacks
- By RFE/RL
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Located 50 kilometers from the Russian border, Ukraine's northeastern city of Kupyansk was considered a prize for Russian forces when it was surrendered without a shot being fired in February.
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A group of graffiti artists paint "Kupyansk is Ukraine" in the liberated city on October 16.
While occupying Kupyansk, Moscow instituted a Russian educational system, introduced passports, and cut telephones lines and Ukrainian television channels -- essentially isolating the city.
While occupying Kupyansk, Moscow instituted a Russian educational system, introduced passports, and cut telephones lines and Ukrainian television channels -- essentially isolating the city.
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Kupyansk's bridge, administrative buildings, and streets were painted with the Russian tricolors. Posters reading, "We are one nation with Russia" and "The Kharkiv region is part of the Russian Federation" were draped above City Hall.
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Much of the city was left in ruins from the intense fighting that led to its liberation on September 9.
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A damaged shop at a local market in Kupyansk. Before the war, the city had a population of 28,000. Now, it has just 4,000 residents.
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A man walks through the wreckage of his home and car.
The city's residents, some of whom were put on the Russian payroll during occupation, are now subjected to an unrelenting onslaught of aerial bombardment.
The city's residents, some of whom were put on the Russian payroll during occupation, are now subjected to an unrelenting onslaught of aerial bombardment.
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A soldier and a street artist change the lettering of a sign from Russian to Ukrainian.
Despite the constant shelling and deteriorating living conditions, Kupyansk's citizens are defiant.
Despite the constant shelling and deteriorating living conditions, Kupyansk's citizens are defiant.
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Another soldier paints an idyllic scene on a bullet and shrapnel-scarred wall.
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A man and boy spray-paint a messages of pride: "Love Ukraine. Love Shevchenko."
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As rocket and artillery attacks continue, Kupyansk's residents face a bleak future of sheltering in cold basements without running water or electricity and having to rely on humanitarian aid.
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A boy plays in the ruins of his grandmother's house.
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Another child clings to her grandmother as they stand outside their home, destroyed by shelling, on October 17.
