The city of Kharkiv has been constantly bombarded since the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite all the hardship living is Kharkiv, people continue residing here. The Salvation Army local corps officers responded to the local community needs with humanitarian aid available.
Saltivka, area of Kharkiv, is the most destroyed area of the city as a result of the Russian constant shelling.
Saltivka is located next to the Russian border. For this reason, fierce battles in the first days of the full-scale invasion took place here. Even during these days, many days after the Russians were pushed out of the Kharkiv region, Saltivka remains restless and continues to suffer from Russian shelling. There are a lot of people still living in Saltivka as they have nowhere to go to and they also need some care and attention. For this reason, the Salvation Army went there when some humanitarian aid arrived in Ukraine from abroad.
We saw the “wounds and scars” of the war everywhere during humanitarian aid distribution to the Saltivka residents. These are lots of broken windows, chopped roofs, burned and demolished houses and, of course, lots of pain… pain that penetrates the very heart when you look into the eyes of those who continue to live here.
Yuri is one of the residents we met in Saltivka. He lives in his old house, built in 1933. He said with irony, showing his apartment:
“You know, my house was not damaged at all during the German occupation during WWII, but it was not able to survive the “fraternal Russian” war. I constantly repair my home, but I don’t have time, the damage is increasing.”
In order to somehow support Yuri, we gave him a set for a refugee. This set included a tent, 2 beds, 2 sleeping bags, 2 tables, 2 chairs, a gas cylinder with a stove, a kettle and necessary utensils.
Yuri was surprised and moved, he said: “Thank you for coming here to us and bringing such wonderful gifts! Now, I have a place to rest while I renovate my house. I have a place to cook and even sleep! Thank you! Your kindness gives me hope and faith in the future, because we are not alone and the world supports us! Thank you!”
In addition to the food aid, we distributed 10 such refugees` kits. One of these kits was also given to a 50-year-old disabled person, Davydenko Ihor Viktorovych. He lives in multi-flat building. He suffers a lot from constant shelling.
“I am very grateful to the Salvation Army for the refugee kit. I will use it in case of heating supply cutoffs or when I get my windows broken. Unfortunately, this is a very common situation for Saltivka, so most of my neighbors left, but I stayed. Thank you for helping me!” – said Igor.
Oleksandr suffered a stroke a few years ago. He had a heart attack at the beginning of this autumn. He also caught our attention. His house seriously suffered from this brutal war.
The Salvation Army in Ukraine together with Saltivka residents would like to express sincere gratitude to everyone who give their hearts and finances to support Ukraine! May the Lord richly bless you and return you a hundredfold! Thank you!