Chuhuiv, a city in Kharkiv region with a 400-year history, has been mercilessly shelled by Russia from the first days of the full-scale invasion. As of May 2023, more than 50% of residential buildings and more than seven hundred private houses need reconstruction.
“On February 24, at five in the morning, life changed fundamentally... Those were very scary moments. When I arrived at the place where the first rocket fell, I couldn't believe that it wasn't some kind of looking glass,” recalls Halyna Minayeva, head of the Chuguyiv City Military Administration.
According to her, the municipality was not left alone with the horrors of war. Municipality residents were the first to come to help. All those who did not flee helped to remove the debris, prepare food, and clean the apartments from the rubble. Not a single utility company of the hromada has suspended its activities.
“Even after massive shellings, emergency crews arrived immediately. Thanks to everyone working to ensure the bare necessities, we didn't have a complete blackout.”