Fears Grow That Russia Will Recapture Liberated Ukrainian City

A resident of Kupyansk collects possessions from his home on February 13 after it was destroyed by Russian shelling. The city is located in eastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region, where locals worry about another Russian offensive and occupation.

At a bus stop opposite the golden-domed Orthodox church, 62-year-old Halyna waited with two large shopping bags.

"I lived here under the Russian occupation," she said nervously, declining to give her surname. "But I'm afraid of another attack. I'm going to Kharkiv. My daughter is there. I want to stay there to be safe."

In a city that was once home to 30,000 people, tanks now rumble down Kupyansk's roads as heavily armed soldiers inspect every vehicle entering and exiting the war-torn landscape.

The burned-out cars, wrecked bridges, and shattered buildings serve as a reminder of the heavy toll this community paid to force out occupying Russian forces last year.

Many of the remaining residents, such as 86-year-old Misha, tend to be elderly, poor, or taking care of relatives.

With their local economy in ruins, residents are reliant on the hot meals provided by volunteers.

As shops only accept cash, people must line up at one of the only two functioning ATMs.

One of those waiting is 47-year-old customs officer Oleksandr Tymoshenko, who says he's not concerned about a Russian offensive. "I spoke with the military and they said: 'Don't worry about it. The situation is under control.'"

Blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags now fly in Kupyansk after being banned last year under Russian occupation. Locals said they were forced to paint bridges in the red, white, and blue colors of the Russian flag. They have since been painted over in blue and yellow.

Oleksandr Tymoshenko recalled the restrictions when the Russians were in charge. "There were Russian checkpoints everywhere. They did not let you go out, but civilians weren't hurt," he said.

Residents of Kupyansk have witnessed fierce fighting. The city was captured by Russian forces in the early months of their full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kupyansk was liberated in September during a major counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces.

Tamara Skliarova, a 70-year-old resident, has remained in the city throughout. Her building was shelled and the stairs to the upper story are now blocked by debris.

Civilians and soldiers shop at an open-air market in Kupyansk on February 13.

Another woman, Olha, 62, who declined to give her last name, also wants to leave but must stay and care for her disabled 37-year-old son. They also don't have anywhere to go, she added.

"There are explosions every day, so it's very scary," she said. "We have to hide in the cellar. Everyone's talking about a new Russian attack."
 

A man looks at a shrapnel-scarred mural that says, "We'll multiply the amount of love in the world. And for that, we will win!"