Life of Saltivians in Occupation

"In dark times, you can see bright people the best" © Erich Maria Remarque.

This saying has become especially relevant during the war. Before the war, our community was disjointed and inactive. Everyone lived their own lives, and the authorities seemed completely indifferent. Rare initiatives were met with indifference. Life flowed slowly in the picturesque village with its forests, fields, and river.

But on February 24, 2022, everything changed. The village froze in shock from explosions, terrified children, and despair. The war we thought was impossible became our reality.

Imagine your home. A quiet morning, a cozy family atmosphere, and then – explosions, windows shattering, the house shaking. The only thought – what about the children? And then military equipment drives past your windows, and your homes are taken over by new authorities. Neighbors are being shot. The feeling of helplessness and fear because no help can be found. We didn’t believe it either, but that’s how it was.

Our Old Saltiv was surrounded and then occupied. The first week we only flinched from explosions and gunfire. We watched as Russian planes destroyed Kharkiv, our city. People reacted differently: some tried to evacuate their families, some stocked up on food, and some simply couldn’t believe what was happening.

From the first days of the war, we were deprived of electricity, water, food and medicine supplies. There was no communication. This was part of the Russian occupiers' tactic to intimidate the population. On February 24, 2022, people gathered near the village council, but it was empty. No one tried to take action.

Ordinary people – electricians, entrepreneurs, farmers, housewives, teachers – began to act. They organized patrols, brought bread and medicine across the front line under fire. Later, Russian rockets destroyed the bakery.

When Russian troops entered the village, it felt like a dream. Locals were forced to wear white armbands, trenches were dug, and checkpoints were set up. Attempts to leave were searched, men were checked for tattoos, phones were thoroughly inspected. This limited the number of photos from the occupied areas. People erased memories on their smartphones because even a suspicious photo could lead to detention. Children were asked if they loved Ukraine. Many people didn’t dare to leave due to the danger on the road or during checks.

On the day the occupiers entered Old Saltiv, we ceased our activities, anticipating that the Russians might try to force us to cooperate.

Watch the video on our YouTube channel https://youtu.be/EmM-5SRopUI?si=RdYfGWDnhwLd31g5