Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Sviatohirsk is a small resort town in Donechchyna where tourists from all over the region used to come to rest. Many recreation centres, sanatoriums, and other health facilities were active here. In addition, pilgrims used to visit the city because Sviatohirska Lavra of the Holy Dormition is located here.
In 2014, with the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, many residents of occupied settlements in eastern Ukraine had to evacuate to Sviatohirsk. They found a temporary shelter here, and some people even set up a second home for themselves. However, since February 24, 2022, due to a full-scale Russian invasion, the city has been in danger. After fierce battles, Russian troops captured Sviatohirsk in June.
During the expedition through the de-occupied towns and villages, we visited the Sviatohirsk community, which was liberated by the Defence Forces in September. We met Volodymyr Rybalkin, the head of the Sviatohirsk city military administration, who told us what the hostilities were like in Sviatohirsk and nearby villages. Russian troops destroyed and damaged a significant number of buildings, and several villages of the community were ruined entirely. Locals shared their memories of living in the occupied city and what changed when the de-occupation they were dreaming about took place. We also met entrepreneur Roman Denysov, who returned to Sviatohirsk to restore the hotel and engage in volunteering. Together with other people who care and with the support of World Central Kitchen, he cooks food every day for the people who are staying in the city.
In August, the soldiers of the National Guard once again proved the occupiers that Sviatohirsk belongs to Ukraine. The national flag of Ukraine was raised at the city's highest point even before the ultimate liberation. The case of the Sviatohirsk resistance inspires and makes us believe that every captured city and village will return home.
⚫ Watch all the series of the De-occupation project: bit.ly/3luNZGJ
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Support us: patreon.com/ukrainer
Ukrainer in English YouTube: youtube.com/c/UkrainerinEnglish/videos
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#ukraine #sviatohirsk #sviatohirsklavra #ukrainewar #war
Sviatohirsk is a small resort town in Donechchyna where tourists from all over the region used to come to rest. Many recreation centres, sanatoriums, and other health facilities were active here. In addition, pilgrims used to visit the city because Sviatohirska Lavra of the Holy Dormition is located here.
In 2014, with the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, many residents of occupied settlements in eastern Ukraine had to evacuate to Sviatohirsk. They found a temporary shelter here, and some people even set up a second home for themselves. However, since February 24, 2022, due to a full-scale Russian invasion, the city has been in danger. After fierce battles, Russian troops captured Sviatohirsk in June.
During the expedition through the de-occupied towns and villages, we visited the Sviatohirsk community, which was liberated by the Defence Forces in September. We met Volodymyr Rybalkin, the head of the Sviatohirsk city military administration, who told us what the hostilities were like in Sviatohirsk and nearby villages. Russian troops destroyed and damaged a significant number of buildings, and several villages of the community were ruined entirely. Locals shared their memories of living in the occupied city and what changed when the de-occupation they were dreaming about took place. We also met entrepreneur Roman Denysov, who returned to Sviatohirsk to restore the hotel and engage in volunteering. Together with other people who care and with the support of World Central Kitchen, he cooks food every day for the people who are staying in the city.
In August, the soldiers of the National Guard once again proved the occupiers that Sviatohirsk belongs to Ukraine. The national flag of Ukraine was raised at the city's highest point even before the ultimate liberation. The case of the Sviatohirsk resistance inspires and makes us believe that every captured city and village will return home.
⚫ Watch all the series of the De-occupation project: bit.ly/3luNZGJ
🟢 Read us in different languages: heylink.me/ukrainer
Support us: patreon.com/ukrainer
Ukrainer in English YouTube: youtube.com/c/UkrainerinEnglish/videos
Ukrainer in English Facebook:
facebook.com/ukrainer.eng
Ukrainer in English Instagram:
instagram.com/ukrainer_en
#ukraine #sviatohirsk #sviatohirsklavra #ukrainewar #war
