Resilience in Ruins: Life in Bombed-Out Oríjiv, Ukraine

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Oríjiv, a city in Ukraine's Zaporiyia region, has become a poignant symbol of resilience amidst devastation as only 800 residents remain from a pre-war population of 21,000. The city has suffered extensive destruction since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, leaving it nearly uninhabitable. Liubov Dernova, a 54-year-old cleaner, represents the endurance of these last survivors. She meticulously sweeps the streets, her only daily routine amid the ruins, determined to keep her home clean despite the ongoing risk of bombardment.

Local infrastructure has significantly deteriorated, with civilians frequently forced to hide from falling debris during air raids. Many former residents fled in search of safety, leaving their homes behind. Dernova's family is scattered; her husband serves in the military, and her daughter and grandchildren seek refuge elsewhere. Despite the grim reality, Dernova finds solace in her work, stating, “It helps me feel useful.”

Community support has dwindled, with local administration focusing solely on garbage collection and limited humanitarian aid due to the conflict's intensity. An NGO, World Central Kitchen, operates a makeshift kitchen in a bombed building, providing food to the remaining residents and those in neighboring villages.

Market activities are limited to a handful of vendors selling essential goods, with many residents exhibiting a mix of humor and sorrow about their situation. Business owners like Natalia and Marina navigate the ruins daily, committing to their livelihoods despite the inherent dangers of returning to their devastated city.

The frequent sound of explosions serves as a haunting backdrop to life in Oríjiv, a constant reminder of the fierce conflict that has alienated its citizens from normalcy. Nonetheless, Dernova and her neighbors remain steadfast, embodying the spirit of survival against all odds, as plans for future restoration and safety linger in their minds.

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