In the parts of the Ukrainian Járkov region that were released after Six months of Russian occupation In 2022, the perspective of give territory Russia as part of a possible peace agreement faces a fierce resistancewhile the memories of the torturehe hunger and the fear feed one Collective determination to prevent the return of the Russians.
“Russia has failed to conquer us in the Three and a half years of invasion. There are no reasons to believe that he will achieve much more, “he says Victoria Shcherbak58 -year -old teacher from Balakliya, a city wheres Wounds of repression They are still open. Olena Shevchenkoanother resident, echoes this resolution while weaves camouflage networks that help Ukrainian soldiers hide their positions and teams from Russian drones.
“We will do anything to prevent Russians from returning here,” he tells Efe in a local community center, where he works as a volunteer with Shcherbak and more than a dozen people. Shevchenko associates the occupation with the hungerhe cold and the fear constant, remembering how the locals risked their lives to get vital medications on the other side of the front line or queue for hours to receive scarce bread rations While Russian soldiers They looted the supplies at will.
“It was scary. You saw a Russian soldier with an assault rifle and you didn’t know What happened to him For the head, “he says, remembering that the neighbors were also afraid to speak Ukrainian. Although many in this northeastern city before spoke Russian, the volunteer center now heard only Ukrainian, a change driven by the Brutality of the occupation. “We cannot keep talking Russian when they kill people for speaking Ukrainian,” explains a volunteer.
Detention and torture memories
During the occupation, dozens of people suspicious of opposing the Russian regime or having links with The army o Ukraine Police They were arrested in a local printing press in “Torture Chamber“, one of the many established by the Russian forces in the captured cities.” They were subjected to Electric downloads and les They broke the ribs“, Relata shevchenko.
Shcherbak and his 16 -year -old daughter were among the detainees. Five masked Russian soldiers broke into their courtyard and took them to an improvised prison where they endured Precarious conditions With little food and water. “The worst was uncertainty: not knowing how long they would have retained or why,” says Shcherbak. Although she herself did not suffer physical abuse, she witnessed the suffering of other people.
“My student was beaten daily, Naked y threatened With being executed, “he recalls. The young woman, who lay in her cell after being tortured every night, was forced to record a video praising life under occupation before being released during his own interrogation, Shcherbak sought a balance between avoiding confrontation and at the same time refusing to betray Ukraine. One of those in charge of questioning her told him chillingly that he showed “contempt” in his gaze, and threatened to hit her and rape your daughter To change your behavior.
Upon hearing this threat, Shcherbak passed out and was hospitalized, subsequently escaping with his family to controlled territory By Ukraine. Three years later, some detainees are still missing or captive in Russia, completely isolated from their families.
Resilience to constant threats
After the release of Balakliya in September 2022, Shcherbak returned, although he continues to distrust those who do not know closely, suspecting that some can provide Information to Russia. The city was saved from generalized destruction thanks to the speed of the counteroffensive of Ukraine in 2022, says the volunteer Sergi Bilous.
However, the road to the city has multiple war scars, with burned or destroyed buildings. Russian drones continue to attack, arriving quickly and leaving residents a little time to seek refuge. A gloomy row Of portraits of fallen soldiers, including some of the former Shcherbak students, borders the central square, a testimony of the high cost of Russian aggression.
Many children are still displaced because their families are too afraid of returning, says Shcherbak, and classes are taught online. Those who stay support wounded soldiers who receive treatment and balakliya and organize theatrical performances under the guide of Shcherbak to lift morality, keeping its determination to avoid another Russian occupation.
