Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, continues defying Russian attempts to capture or destroy it over a year after Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Here are the key points about this resilient city:
- Kharkiv withstood intense Russian bombardment in 2022
- The city’s defenders vow they will never surrender to Russia
- Despite being Russian-speaking, Kharkiv rejects Putin’s claims it is a ‘Russian city.’
- Its resistance undermines the Kremlin’s justification for the war
- Russian forces are now massing north of Kharkiv for a new offensive
Why is Kharkiv so determined to resist Russian occupation? And what does its steadfast defense mean for the course of the war?
Kharkiv’s Symbolic Importance
Kharkiv (pronounced Har-ki) has great symbolic significance in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While historically a Russian-speaking city, Kharkiv’s spirit of defiance exposes the lies behind Putin’s claims that he is liberating ethnic Russians.
“Kharkiv is a city that Russians insist is Russian,” says Dr. Jade McGlynn, a warfare expert. “It’s a city that actually shows the lie of all Russian propaganda because you have this Russian-speaking city refusing to give in.”
Despite months of devastating Russian missile strikes, most residents refused opportunities to evacuate last year. Their determination embodies Ukraine’s unwavering resistance to Putin’s invasion.
Defending a City Under Siege
Life in Kharkiv remains extremely dangerous, with Russian artillery positioned just miles from the city’s outskirts. Air raid sirens frequently force citizens to take shelter while explosions rock the streets.
“Of course, it’s frightening to hear things go boom,” Dr. McGlynn says, “But there’s no other option because the Russians are about to bring in heavy artillery to level the city again.”
Rather than flee, Kharkiv’s citizens work tirelessly to clean up the damage and restore a sense of normalcy after each attack. Soldiers from the city’s own Kraken brigade reject any notion of surrender, insisting they will fight to the death if needed.
“People know what’s happening in occupied territories,” says McGlynn, “Nobody wants to live like that. They should die fighting with dignity.”
Outmatched but Undeterred
Despite their tenacity, Ukraine’s forces in Kharkiv are dangerously outmatched. Volunteer groups like the one co-founded by McGlynn, the Free Ukraine Fund, need help to supply them with the necessary weapons to counter Russia’s heavy firepower.
“We can get drones and ammunition to the soldiers in 24 hours once the orders go through,” McGlynn explains, “But Kharkiv’s defenders need much more support to withstand the Russian troops and artillery now surrounding them.”
With a new Russian offensive expected soon, Kharkiv’s fate could prove decisive. Will the city’s spirit finally break under an intensified onslaught? Or will its refusal to yield force a stalemate that derails Putin’s invasion?
Many experts fear the stubbornness Putin has exhibited so far makes him unwilling to accept anything less than a total conquest of Ukraine. This means Kharkiv’s unbreakable resistance could precipitate even greater violence as Russia pours more resources into attempting its subjugation.
Why do you think Kharkiv’s people continue risking everything to rebuff Russia’s occupation? What might their struggle ultimately mean for the trajectory of this tragic conflict? The lessons from this defiant city could shape the future of Ukraine and Europe itself.
