The city of Vovchansk in Kharkiv region, one year after the start of the Russian offensive, has been turned into ruins: military personnel have shown in detail the extent of the destruction and the state of the defenses, which still retain their strength and resist the aggressor
Photographs and testimonies from the frontline were sent by soldiers of the 34th Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion “Vovkodyvy” of the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, who are directly involved in hostilities in this region. As the fighters reported, exactly one year ago, Vovchansk became the target of a large-scale attack by Russian forces. Initially, they held positions in Tihyi, located on the eastern outskirts of the city; here, they managed to stop the enemy and even launch counterattacks. However, later, the command made the decision to redeploy the battalion directly into the center of Vovchansk. Since that moment, for approximately over ten months, the battalion has been stationed in the city, defending its positions and holding the line even under the harshest conditions. During this time, the situation in Vovchansk has not improved: the city has been almost completely destroyed. According to the military, even among the rubble of houses and ruined structures, one can see entire “dens”—shelters and hideouts that the occupiers have set up in the demolished buildings. Fighters say that the war in the city now is a war of tunnels, as every meter hides ruins with enemies lurking beneath, and their dens are concealed under makeshift shelters and debris. One of the largest operations during the occupation was the liberation of the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant. After its liberation, Ukrainian soldiers began clearing the territory, securing control over this strategic facility. The fighters note that it is still impossible to fully clear the city of the enemy and destruction, as the devastation is so severe that only rubble and bricks remain of the buildings. According to the military, equipment is not currently entering the city, mainly due to the difficult combat conditions. Artillery shelling is also limited, which forces infantry to go to the front lines and organize themselves for ground fighting. Under these circumstances, it is the infantry that carries out the main fire support and defense, engaging in armed combat amidst the ruins. The soldiers add that Russian forces in Vovchansk have turned into a meat grinder—an endless number of assault operations, where the occupiers daily throw in new forces to “unfold” their attacks. They are constantly suffering losses and find it very difficult to hold their positions under such tough conditions, fighting amidst “a city of ruins.” These destructions, increasing in intensity, testify to fierce battles and the desperate resistance of Ukrainian defenders. Thus, after a year of war, Vovchansk—once a peaceful town—has become a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainian troops and a consequence of large-scale Russian aggression—almost entirely reduced to ashes, with only debris and ruins remaining of the once vibrant infrastructure. At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue to hold their defenses, despite the destruction and intense fighting, demonstrating true resilience and steadfastness in their fight for their land.