From the very beginning of the full scale invasion into Ukraine, russians have been bombarding the second-largest city of Ukraine - Kharkiv. It seems that the russian authorities had plans to quickly conquer this city in the direct proximity to the russian border. However, Kharkiv citizens proved that Kharkiv will never be a russian city. Below is a story of Kharkiv resistance based on observations of Andriy, a member of the Headquarters of Kharkiv Territory Defense, an activist of the “Active Community” organization, who continues to defend his city against russian occupiers.

From the very beginning of the full scale invasion into Ukraine, russians have been bombarding the second-largest city of Ukraine - Kharkiv. It seems that the russian authorities had plans to quickly conquer this city in the direct proximity to the russian border. However, Kharkiv citizens proved that Kharkiv will never be a russian city. Below is a story of Kharkiv resistance based on observations of Andriy, a member of the Headquarters of Kharkiv Territory Defense, an activist of the “Active Community” organization, who continues to defend his city against russian occupiers.

“They have come to our home, though no one invited them! They have been destroying the city which we have rebuilt, especially after the Revolution of Dignity. Russians are systemically destroying Kharkiv. They are shelling the city with “Grads” and mine-throwers, and bombarding two-three times per day during air-raids. They are turning our city into debris. The historical center of the city is already destroyed. For me, as a Kharkiv citizen and a person who has gone through the Revolution of Dignity and took an active part in the development of the city, it is painful to see. The city is turning into ruins”, says Andriy.

Andriy was an eyewitness of the air raid on the Independence Square, an administrative quarter of Kharkiv.

​​“We were sitting and drinking coffee. The first missile landed near the building, smashed all the windows. We all fell to the ground. Then everyone went out into the corridor. I went to take body armor and helmet. Sat down in the corridor. Then the blow, the darkness, can’t breathe. 20 meters away I saw a hole down through 6 floors".

On March 2nd, Russian troops shelled the military hospital. This is a direct violation of international humanitarian law. Andriy comments on such tactics of the Kremlin:

“This is not the country which obeys laws. They are simply terrorists. I don’t understand why international community is calmly watching this, without introducing any harsher actions. They are simply destroying us”.

In Kharkiv, invaders were bombarding not only administrative and military institutions, but also residential districts. The majority of casualties of the russian attacks are civilians. According to Andriy, a lot of volunteers perished.

A lot of people have left Kharkiv. There are not a lot of cars left, as well as street lighting. However, there are people who continue to defend the city.

“Kharkiv has always been the center of the resistance against the russian aggression. This is an Eastern fort post, that is why it is so important to keep it under Ukrainian control. The russians expected that they would easily enter. And for some reason they think that they will be able to take Kharkiv in such a way”.

The activist tells that occupation of this city is a strategically important goal for russians. They use a method of proclamation of quazi-republics in the regions with russian-speaking inhabitants. However, despite the fact that many of Kharkiv citizens could not even consider russian invasion, the majority of them had a pro-Ukrainian standpoint.

“Now, 95% of Kharkiv residents hate the russians and the president of russia. This is a historical moment. A generation which is growing up now will be very clear on what moscaw and the “russian world” is bringing with them. And will never trust russia anymore, however “democratic” it might become. Let them [russians] think what we will achieve!

Russia is the same as the USSR. The enemy stays the same. We are guilty because we were not properly working on development of our country and were not too conscious when choosing the President and the local authorities in the previous years. I hope that after this war our citizens will finally understand that they live in the State of Ukraine with our own language, culture and a thousand of years of history. The state, which has always been democratic and was radically different from the russian federation or USSR. Call it whatever you want, but we are different, even though we once were their colony which they used to their own profit.

This state is an enemy. This state is destroying our nation and considers itself to be our master. They are not our brothers. They are just neighbours who have gone nuts and believe that they are our masters”.

At the end, we asked Andriy what would be to russian troopers, if he would meet them.

“The same what was said in the notorious meme: “Russians, go … yourself!” The Headquarters of the Territory defense of Kharkiv will continue to defense the city. We will NOT surrender the city to the occupiers. Let them hear this! If they don’t want a massacre, they need to go home. Kharkiv will never be russian!”