Kharkiv life precarious despite victories

Water and energy supplies are disrupted as liberating troops find bodies of civilians showing signs of torture

- Isobel Koshiw and Lorenzo Tondo KHARKIV

Air sirens sounded through-out the day in Khar kiv . At least four Russian missiles hit the north-eastern city in two attacks on Monday, killing at least one person, injuring others and causing further disruption to the city’s electricity and water supply.

While Ukrainians across the country have celebrated the liberation of Russian-occupied parts of the Kharkiv region , the situation in the city – which was half surrounded by Russian forces until last week – has in some ways become more precarious.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have reported finding the bodies of civilians with apparent signs of torture, as prosecutors gathered more evidence of potential war crimes.

Unlike the liberation of Kyiv and other northern regions in late March, when the invaders were forced into a chaotic retreat, Russia has almost immediately launched a counterattack and is showing no sign of walking away from this corner of the country.

Last Sunday, for the first time since the war began, Russian missile strikes on a Kharkiv power station led to a blackout across the region. Engineers managed to restore power after four hours, while a fire raged at the plant.

“The Russians want to leave us without light, water and heat,” said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office.