The Russians have turned housing in the occupied territories into a means of blackmail, a tool of pressure on owners, and a way for collaborators to enrich themselves. It is not easy to understand what exactly happens to the property of Ukrainians who have left the occupation zone. People don't want to talk about it. They want to avoid publicity in order not to make things worse for themselves. They hope, if not now, then later, when the war is over, to return to the territories occupied by Russia and save their apartments and houses.Читати українською

In the spring of 2022, 52-year-old mechanic Vyacheslav Zavalny was detained by the Russian military at a checkpoint in city of Pology when he was on his way to evacuate his son and wife from Mariupol. Ten long months of imprisonment followed, where he survived together with other Ukrainians, both civilians and military.Читати українською

After the occupation, a real stream of various "liberators" came to the Russian-occupied territories. The distribution of money for participating in the war against Ukraine allowed residents of subsidized regions to escape desolated dying Russian monotowns to some warmer and more vivid places, even despite the war.Читати українською

Car rallies and literary festivals in occupied cities, excursions, and photo shoots on the ruins — all this is part of the strategy that Russia is implementing in the occupied territory of Ukraine. The strategy is not new: those who went to report from Grozny for the Russian media in the 2000s are now retelling Russian myths about the "destruction of Mariupol by the Nazis."Читати українською

On his YouTube channel, Timur can sometimes even criticise the local or Russian authorities, but in a kind way. This is similar to how a resident of a European colony who was educated in a colonial school might lament that "white masters" should visit their colony more often to restore order. We have investigated how Russian propaganda uses bloggers, both local and foreign, to absolve themselves of responsibility for the destruction of Mariupol and the killed citizens.Читати українською

Mariia and her two children moved from Donetsk to Mariupol two years ago. Back in Donetsk, she had a job, an apartment and a husband. In Mariupol, she has her parents and uncertainty. How to earn a living, where to live, how to send children to school when they do not have any Ukrainian documents? But she dared to do it. Donetsk has been slowly degrading under the last few years of the occupation. Young people kept leaving it - some to Ukraine, some to Russia, just so as not to stay there, in the territory of lawlessness and uncertainty.You can also read this article in Ukrainian (first published on the website 0629.com.ua)Translated by Dmitry Lytov & Mike Lytov