Life Beneath Kharkov Fortress Amid Ongoing Conflict
In Kharkov Fortress, which sits at the forefront of the Ukraine-Russia battle, much of daily life unfolds underground. After enduring four years of relentless Russian shelling, the city has established eight schools within subway stations.
The underground venues also host theater performances and other events, allowing residents to gather and experience a sense of normalcy, at least temporarily, free from the looming threat of drones and missiles from Moscow.
“We’re the only city globally to have these metro schools. We’ve repurposed seven subway stations for children’s education,” Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov remarked.
Each underground school can host about 1,200 students. Previously, many children had to resort to online classes or huddle in underground shelters for learning.
Terekhov emphasized the desire for peace among Kharkiv’s residents but cautioned that achieving lasting safety would necessitate a century of guarantees from the United States and its allies. “We’re looking at over a hundred years, not just a couple of years down the line,” he added.
He acknowledged the commendable efforts of former Presidents Trump and Zelensky in working toward ending the conflict, but he noted that “real security guarantees” lead to the dividends of peace.
As Terekhov spoke from Ukraine’s second-largest city, merely hours after a market attack, he expressed gratitude for U.S. assistance and shared how the residents of Kharkiv have adjusted to the harsh realities of war since the full-scale invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin began.
“Kharkiv stands as a fortress, and throughout these four years of conflict, it has served as a benchmark for Ukraine’s resilience,” Terekhov stated.
He detailed how daily life has been impacted, mentioning ongoing shelling and a recent incident involving a drone, “called Molniya in Russian, meaning Lightning.” Fortunately, two people were injured, but there were no fatalities despite damage to the market building.
Before the February 2022 invasion, Kharkiv had a population of roughly 1.4 million. Since the onset of war, it has been one of the most severely affected cities in Ukraine.
Situated just 29 miles from the Russian border, a significant portion of Kharkiv was reported destroyed by early 2024, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Today, the city still faces intermittent shelling as the conflict stretches into its fifth year. Terekhov mentioned that over 48 residential buildings have been constructed since the war began, despite the destruction of many others alongside thousands of private homes.
His primary aim remains to conclude the conflict, yet he stresses that this cannot happen without U.S. backing. “Our first wish is to end the war. The second is for children to attend classes above ground again,” he commented.
Terekhov voiced hopes for authentic lives filled with joy, but also noted that without international support, those dreams might hover just out of reach. He expressed appreciation for Trump’s role in trying to bring an end to the war.
“With the diplomatic efforts of President Trump and President Zelensky, along with our negotiating team, I’m confident our dreams can become reality,” Terekhov stated. Yet, doubts linger regarding Putin’s sincerity in seeking an end to the conflict.
“The first real test will be whether the shelling stops, and obviously, we want to see clear signs from Russia that they genuinely want peace,” he asserted.
Recently, however, Putin’s forces violated a fragile energy ceasefire, raising further concerns about Russia’s intentions. Ukrainian energy infrastructures in Kharkiv, Kiev, Sumy, Odessa, Dnipro, and Vinnytsia endured assaults from over 450 drones and 70 missiles amidst a truce that was intended to last a week.
On the strikes against energy facilities, Terekhov remarked, “Promises and statements are often just words, quickly forgotten. Ukrainian cities continue to be targeted, affecting energy supplies and civilian life.”
He concluded with what his city needs to see: “When power plants become attack targets, it will reveal the true nature of this war. The lessons we’ve learned mean we can’t just take words at face value. Only when the shelling ceases and lives are no longer lost will we trust in the genuine intent for peace.”
