In Constitution Square, right in the heart of Kharkiv, there stands a house with boarded-up windows and a collapsed roof. In March 2022, a Russian missile struck here. The residents were left homeless, and now they are devoid of hope.
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SubscribeOn March 2, 2022, a missile intended for the city council building hit the house across the street. The building was destroyed, pipes were torn apart, and torrents of water completely flooded the interior. Utility workers only shut off the water two weeks later.
After the strike, some people fled abroad, while others rent housing in the city or live with relatives, reports Kharkiv Today. The house itself continues to deteriorate: rain and snow are destroying it from the inside, and debris still litters the yard.
"Now, when there's a strike, everyone rushes to clean up. I don't understand why they haven't even picked up the trash here. It's like constant neglect. We went to 'Zhilkomservis' – they listen, nod, and that's it," shares resident Nonna Aroyan.
"How that missile threw us out of our home – that's how we're now trying to scrape by. Not a single official has asked how to help us," said Viktoria Serhiienko, a resident of the house.
Viktoria, along with her neighbors, knocked on every possible door: the district administration, the housing department, the Ministry of Culture. The only result – the windows of the house were boarded up with plywood.
The reason, as explained to the residents, is that the house is a historical monument. Special permits and funds are needed for its conservation, which the city lacks.
Interestingly, other monuments in Kharkiv have still received a chance for salvation. For example, the Oblast Council building and the structure at 1 Independence Avenue were covered with roofs to halt their destruction. Why has the house in Constitution Square been overlooked? Officials claim it's due to the "complex status" of the building: there are many owners, and conducting work on private property is prohibited.
However, the residents think differently – they are merely asking for a roof. The city is obligated to ensure that rain and snow do not completely ruin the house.
Meanwhile, the ruined house with people who have lost their homes remains a problem that no one wants to address. Yet, the residents hope that their home will not become the final victim of bureaucracy and indifference.
And we remind you, while some rejoice in the snow, 10% of residential buildings in Ukraine are freezing without heating: where exactly
Earlier, it was reported that the construction of a school near Kyiv has been ongoing since 2017: 50 million UAH has been spent, but corruption and delays are hindering progress
Additionally, Znay.ua reported that in Ukraine, regional energy companies have started "cutting off" electricity to apartment buildings: areas without power for days