An RFE/RL correspondent visits the scenes of destruction six months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine to see what has changed.
Before
After
1Kyiv, March 3 and August 24, 2022
The battle for Kyiv began on February 24. Russian troops got within 8 kilometers of the presidential palace.
Before
After
2Kyiv, March 1 and August 24
On March 1, Russian rockets hit the television tower in Dorohozhychy. As a result of the attack, five people died and five were injured
Before
After
3Kyiv, March 1 and August 24
As a result of rocket attacks in Kyiv, more than 200 residential buildings and 70 infrastructure objects have been damaged.
Before
After
4Kyiv, March 2 and August 24
Before the start of the invasion, the Kyiv authorities said the capital's subway was the best shelter in the event of hostilities. After February 24, it sheltered hundreds of people. Now, it looks like it did before the war began.
Before
After
5Kyiv, March 3 and August 24
In March, soldiers were digging trenches and placing barricades on the streets of Kyiv. In August, there was an open-air exhibition of destroyed Russian armor.
Before
After
6Kyiv, March 1 and August 24
"Russian soldier, F**k you!" reads a poster on March 1. In August, there was a poster with a member of the emergency services.
Before
After
7
Irpin, March 7 and August 23
As the fighting intensified, one of the fiercest battles was at Irpin, a town 25 kilometers northwest of Kyiv.
Before
After
8Bucha, March 1 and August 23
On February 27, Russian forces entered Bucha. Ukrainian forces destroyed this armored column and halted their advance, but the town was subsequently occupied. When Ukrainian forces liberated it in April, the streets were littered with the bodies of civilians massacred by Russian forces.
Before
After
9Makariv, March 4 and August 23
Makariv was under occupation for 34 days -- from February 27 to April 1. According to Makariv village head Vadym Tokarov, about 40 percent of the infrastructure in the village was destroyed
Before
After
10Makariv, March 4 and August 23
Makariv was on the front line, so it came under constant artillery, tank, and rocket attack.
Before
After
11Irpin, March 2 and August 23
During the Russian occupation of Irpin, more than 200 civilians were killed, Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn said. On March 28, the city was completely liberated.
Before
After
12The bridge over the Irpin river. Romanivka, March 5 and August 23
In order to stop the advance of Russian troops on Kyiv, three bridges were blown up in the Kyiv region, including the bridge over the Irpin River. It was this bridge that was used by people to flee the fighting.
Before
After
13Borodyanka, March 3 and August 23
Borodyanka was one of the worst-affected towns in the early days of the Russian invasion.
Before
After
14Borodyanka, March 3 and August 23
Ukraine's former chief prosecutor, Iryna Venediktova, said Borodyanka was the site of the worst civilians massacres in the Kyiv region while under Russian occupation.
Before
After
15Borodyanka, March 2 and August 24
Artillery fire, rocket attacks, and street battles caused massive destruction in Borodyanka.
