Invaders destroyed Northern Saltivka, the most heavily shelled area of Kharkiv. The Ukrainian army pushes the Russians away from the city, and people return to their destroyed houses — a photo report

Author:
Yuriy Palyvoda
Editor:
Yevhen Spirin
Date:

Northern Saltivka is one of the largest residential areas of Kharkiv, located near the ring road. Before the war, 400 thousand people lived here. After the February 24, when the full-scale invasion started, heavy fighting broke out in the area between the Russian occupiers, who were trying to seize Kharkiv, and the Ukrainian army. About 70% of houses in Northern Saltivka were damaged. In early May, the Ukrainian army began to push the occupiers away from Kharkiv, and in June people began to return to the Northern Saltivka area. Local officials say itʼs too early to do this: the city is still under fire, and communications are damaged. This doesnʼt stop people, though. They prepare food in the yard, clean the surrounding area, and collect garbage from the apartments. Volunteers help the residents with food, they feed the abandoned cats. Communal workers are resuming the work of local heating, water supply and electricity facilities, the territory is being patrolled by the military: many apartments have been looted. Photographer Yura Palyvoda visited Northern Saltivka exclusively for Babel, here is his photo report on how the district lives now.

Maria is a teacher, she is 92 years old. She has lived in the basement since the beginning of the war.

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

During the first month of the full-scale war, Victor stayed at home and witnessed the fighting. He later moved to Cherkasy to live with his parents but returned a few days ago.
Together with neighbors, they try to tidy up their homes. They installed an electricity generator, clean the area. "It's more fun when you work together", they say.

During the first month of the full-scale war, Victor stayed at home and witnessed the fighting. He later moved to Cherkasy to live with his parents but returned a few days ago. Together with neighbors, they try to tidy up their homes. They installed an electricity generator, clean the area. "It's more fun when you work together", they say.

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

For the first time in three months, Volodymyr came to see what was left of his garage. Before the first shelling, he managed to pick up his car. As a result of shelling and fires, a cooperative with 400 garages was completely destroyed.

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Maryna and her neighbors make tea and prepare food in the yard of their own house. Thanks to the volunteers who help them a lot with food and groceries.

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

“God, help us” is written on the wall.

Yuriy Palyvoda / Babel

Babel photographers show the war and its aftermath, and you can help them continue doing this. Support Babel:🔸 donate in hryvnia 🔸 in cryptocurrency 🔸 PayPal: [email protected].