The Ukrainian town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, just three miles from the Russian border, faces near-total devastation after enduring multiple waves of fighting.
Homed 17,000 People
Once home to around 17,000 people, Vovchansk has become a focal point in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
After Russia initially captured the town during its 2022 invasion, Ukrainian forces reclaimed it in their autumn counteroffensive, according to Kyiv Independent.
However, a renewed Russian push in May 2024 has again turned Vovchansk into a war zone, forcing many of its residents to flee.
Civilians who escaped recounted difficult, often dangerous journeys out of the town, with some alleging that Russian troops deliberately targeted them as they tried to leave.
Community Sites Among the Many Buildings leveled.
A recent investigation by Bellingcat and AFP reveals the grim results of this renewed offensive: satellite imagery shows that around 60% of Vovchansk’s buildings are destroyed, and an additional 18% are partially damaged, leaving just 22% of buildings intact.
Vital community sites like a library, school, and church are among the many structures leveled.
Despite Russia’s heavy assault, the renewed offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast has reportedly slowed. Ukrainian resistance, combined with Russia’s high casualty rates, has bogged down the assault, though the toll on Vovchansk remains visible.
Ukrainian officials report that Russian tactics in the region often involve intense artillery and airstrikes, a “scorched-earth” approach aimed at flattening towns before troops move in. This method has left entire towns, such as Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast, completely uninhabitable.
For Vovchansk’s displaced residents, returning home remains uncertain
