How life in Ukraine has been shattered by two years of war

In Lozuvatka, Ukraine, the war has transformed the village, with the impact felt in every aspect of Ukrainian life. The conflict has led to the death of many soldiers, leaving behind grieving families and graveyards filled with fresh burial plots. The war has also led to the closure of schools, the disruption of daily life, and the displacement of millions of Ukrainians.

Alona Onyshchuk’s husband, Serhii Aloshkin, was killed while fighting near the eastern city of Bakhmut, leaving her to raise their daughter alone. The scale of the military casualties is a closely guarded state secret, but it’s estimated that tens of thousands have been killed and tens of thousands more wounded. Schools in Lozuvatka are also closed, and the bomb shelters aren’t big enough to accommodate all of the students in the event of an air raid.

The war has affected almost every aspect of Ukrainian life. Many children do not have the opportunity for in-person education and are being taught remotely. The war has also led to the formation of volunteer networks to support the soldiers, as well as the displacement of skilled workers from vital sectors, such as agriculture.

Many families are left agonizing over the fate of their loved ones, as thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are in Russian captivity. The impact of the war is deeply felt, and even those living far from the frontlines are profoundly affected. The war has led to unlikely friendships forming, and old ones falling apart. The conflict has irrevocably changed the face of Ukraine.

As the war enters its third year with no end in sight, residents are filled with a sense of defiance and determination. They refuse to give up on the territories occupied by Russia and continue to fight for their homeland, despite the increasing pressure from a larger and better-equipped army.