The city of Belgorod is just 25 miles north of the Russian border and has been turned upside down following a bombardment of missile strikes since the war broke out.
Since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, strikes have left behind damaged buildings and craters in the ground, with signs directing residents to the nearest bomb shelters and emergency supplies.
Some residents have shared their experiences of living in a city under siege. Natalia Izotova, a 25-year-old volunteer, said Belgorod used to be charming and tranquil, but now it’s gripped by fear and uncertainty.
She told CNN: “It’s a small, cozy southern town with lots of trees and lots of greenery, which gets very hot in the summer. It’s such a quiet, tiny place where everyone simply lives their life and tries to change something for the better in every way they can.
“You live in a very large cocoon of misunderstanding and fear. At the same time, you don’t really want to leave the city. But the Belgorod you remember no longer exists. They still try to venture onto the streets, but it’s all getting gloomier. The city is becoming more ghostly.”
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The escalation of attacks from Ukraine onto Russian territory has only intensified the desperate living conditions. In recent weeks, the region has faced almost daily shelling and drone attacks, leading to casualties and widespread destruction. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov revealed that within a span of less than two weeks, 24 people had been killed and 152 injured.
Elizaveta, a 24-year-old resident, recounted the horror of witnessing deadly attacks and the impact it has had on the city as many residents grapple with anxiety and the uncertainty of what each day may bring.
Speaking of one strike in particular, she told the outlet: “This is the darkest day we’ve had recently. I saw it all: everything on fire, covered in smoke, buses stopped running, and taxis weren’t moving either because the roads were completely blocked.
“At some point, the city just died, no one expected this. Many people perished, and the entire city mourned and continues to mourn to this day.”
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As essential services falter and daily life becomes increasingly disrupted, some residents contemplate leaving the city. However, with familial ties and obligations, many choose to remain, despite the dangers.
Elizaveta added: “Here in Belgorod, many of us have relatives on both sides of the border. People from Belgorod frequently visited Kharkiv, and vice versa. It’s truly disheartening to see such a rift between people who were once so closely connected.
“I long for a return to normalcy, when people feel less fearful and regain a sense of security. The city is lifeless: stepping out to the streets at any hour you don’t see anyone or any vehicles, it’s as if you’re on a deserted island.”
