It was a normal day at the office, but a glance at satellite images of my childhood village, Verkhnya Krynytsya in southern Ukraine, revealed a disturbing change: a new road leading straight to my former home. This path, first appearing in the summer of 2022, shortly after Russian occupation began, and reappearing in winter, strongly suggests the presence of Russian soldiers in a village close to the front lines.
My village, once a peaceful place, is now occupied territory. My family sold our house years ago, but before the full-scale invasion, I’d visit annually, noting the house seemed abandoned and neglected. Now, it appears to be occupied.
The Kakhovka reservoir, once a vast ‘sea’ for swimming and ice-fishing, has vanished after the dam’s destruction in June 2023, causing devastating floods.
Contacting locals for current information proved difficult due to fear and the general danger of the occupied region. Those who remain are understandably hesitant to speak with the media, especially given the proximity to the front lines and the risk of reprisal.
The path to my old house, only visible seasonally, suggests intermittent use, likely during winter months when soldiers might seek shelter from the cold. It’s highly probable that Russian soldiers have moved into vacant homes, including my childhood residence.
Confirmation from the Ukrainian 128th Brigade’s spokesman suggests this is indeed the case, with occupying forces frequently occupying empty properties in frontline villages. My colleague analyzed satellite images, confirming a pattern of activity around my former home, with a clear path emerging and being used by vehicles, particularly during the winter months.
While the exact current use of my childhood home remains uncertain, the evidence points to it becoming a small, poignant symbol of Russia’s war machine in Ukraine.
Additional reporting by Richard Irvine-Brown
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