a Ukrainian village recaptured from the Russians

The village of Mala Rogan (Ukraine) is a field of ruins. The Ukrainian armed forces have just taken it back from the Russians. It is a strategic place since it is located 4 km from Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city. You have to move with caution, the Russians having laid mines everywhere. 3,500 people lived in this village before the war started a month ago. A few dozen civilians remained, under a rain of bombs.

This is particularly the case of a couple who lived for a month in the basement of their house. “They weren’t too aggressive, but they were stealing for food from the two shops in the village. (…) at least they didn’t hurt us”explains the husband of the couple. His wife explains that the Russians told them that they were not fighting against the Ukrainians, but against the Americans. Outside, the shelling did not stop. An 88-year-old woman, living alone, said the shelling frightened her and continued every night without interruption. The Ukrainians now hold these places, but the heavy artillery fire still terrorizes.