Ukraine: Chernihiv is slowly recovering, but the wounds from Russian mass bombings and the siege that lasted over a month are difficult to heal

On the outskirts of Chernihiv, there are hundreds of houses destroyed by Russian bombs, and near the center, there is the ruined stadium of the Desna football club and the burned headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine. In the very center of the city, you can also see fresh traces of the rocket attack on August 19, which killed seven people and injured over 110.

A Russian missile then hit the roof of the Musical and Dramatic Theater. People were killed and injured by rocket fragments. "The theater is slowly being renovated and has even staged one performance. It is true that not on the main stage, but on a small stage, but that is important to us"

Natalia Kolchenkova from the city council's international cooperation department.

The tragedy of August 19 is reminded of the tragedy of August 19 by bouquets of flowers and plush toys that still lie in front of the board with posters of theater performances. A nearby cafe, whose windows and doors were destroyed by the shock wave, is serving coffee again.

"We work because we have no other choice; we have to make a living. However, this attack was nothing compared to what we experienced in February and March last year. The city, which was surrounded by Russians on all sides, was on the brink of famine " - says a young cafe employee.

The deputy mayor of Chernihiv, Serhiy Fesenko, says that this time left very bitter memories. The Russians maintained the siege for 38 days.

"Chernihiv was surrounded by the Russian army on all sides. It was very difficult. Due to constant bombings, it was impossible to provide people with food or medicine. It was good that there was bread distributed by our volunteers. The worst thing was that, the bridge along which it was possible to cross Chernihiv towards Kyiv was destroyed. Thank God, our armed forces did not let the Russians into the city itself"

Fesenko emphasizes in an interview.

However, the Russians destroyed houses in the suburbs. According to Fesenko, over 2,000 private buildings were ruined. "We help people as much as we can. Whenever possible, we provide building materials and glass to cover broken windows"

the official points out.

Just beyond the outskirts of the city, you can see places where practically every house is broken. Of many of them, only the foundations remain. Residents are slowly rebuilding them, but you still cannot live there. That is why many of them use container towns provided and equipped by the Polish authorities.

"We are rebuilding, using everything that can be used. My husband is selecting whole bricks from the ruins and building walls step by step. We are waiting, maybe the state will help us, but there is still a war in Ukraine, so we have to be patient".

Deputy Mayor Fesenko informs that although Chernihiv has suffered its share, it never refuses to accept residents of other cities who are fleeing the brutal war waged by Russia. We have 10 thousand refugees – says.

"Some people come from our region, from the areas bordering Russia, which are under fire. However, most of them are residents of the Kharkiv, Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk regions," he says.

Fesenko does not hide the fact that his city still needs help. "We thank the international community that helps us. But this help is still needed. Last year we received modular towns so that people had a place to live. We received clothes because many did not have them. Now we need building materials for reconstruction destroyed houses. This is especially important now, when winter is coming," Fesenko said.