A Report by the USCC Team from the De-Occupied Territories of Kharkiv Region

USCC expert in Kharkiv region next to a Russian missile. Source – USCC

“If you remove the Russians’ asymmetric advantage in artillery, they will not only stop fighting – they will flee,” – Serhii Kuzan commented to Financial Times.

This was clearly demonstrated by the results of the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region.

Weapons are the only advantage Russia has today. This alone allows it to terrorize the democratic world and continue its war against Ukraine. We need more weapons to keep pushing the Russians off Ukrainian land and to bring the long-awaited victory closer. The faster this happens, the more tragedies can be avoided. Ukraine needs weapons today so that there is no second Izium tomorrow.

Representatives of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center visited the de-occupied territories of the Kharkiv region and spoke with Ukrainian soldiers who liberated the region, as well as civilians who survived the Russian occupation.

The first stop was near Izium, footage from which shocked the world and once again proved that Russia uses terror against the local population.

During the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Defense Forces on September 10, 2022, fighters of the assault unit of the 5th Slobozhanska Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine liberated the settlement of Zabavne on the outskirts of Izium.

“After high-precision strikes by Ukrainian artillery using heavy weapons provided by Western allies, our unit was clearing the city of Balakliia and then entered Zabavne with combat and secured positions there. Russian troops and so-called ‘LPR’ forces were based in this settlement. The Ukrainian counteroffensive caught the enemy by surprise – they failed to organize a retreat and essentially fled. The only thing the occupiers managed to do while retreating was to set mine traps, which mostly harm civilians, including children. Our sappers are currently engaged in demining the area,” – says National Guardsman Volodymyr Tsakh.

While fleeing, the Russians left behind military equipment and weapons, personal belongings, uniforms, and even personal documents, indicating the haste of their retreat.

In Izium itself, the situation is even more telling. The city streets are littered with destroyed Russian military equipment, including the pride of Russia’s military-industrial complex – the heavy flamethrower system “Solntsepyok.” During the assault, Russian forces deliberately destroyed the city’s critical infrastructure, leaving many buildings beyond repair. Ukrainian emergency services are clearing debris and attempting to restore water, electricity, and gas supplies.

The Russian occupation pushed local residents into a humanitarian catastrophe, so food, medicine, and hygiene supplies are being continuously delivered to different parts of the city.

“Throughout the occupation, Russians looted the homes of Izium residents and then tried to sell the stolen goods at spontaneous markets. Resistance to the occupiers or violation of the curfew was punishable by imprisonment or execution,” says Oleksandr, a 32-year-old resident of Izium who survived Russian captivity.

“I was detained because before the Russians captured the city, I volunteered for the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Unfortunately, due to the rapid advance of the Russian army, I did not have time to receive a weapon. After interrogation and torture by FSB officers, they led me to be executed, but at the last moment they fired past me and later released me,” Oleksandr adds.

He also said that three days before the city was liberated, the occupiers imposed a 24-hour curfew to conceal their escape, and in the end threatened to “return in 2–3 months,” while spreading fakes about alleged future reprisals by Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Read also: USCC Team Report from Kherson

Conclusion

The consequences of nearly seven months of imposing the so-called “Russian world” that we witnessed in the liberated towns and villages of the Kharkiv region clearly show that Russia respects no norms of humanitarian law, and that the occupiers carry out real terror against civilians. Intimidation, abuse, torture, hunger – this is the reality of Russian “liberation” for residents of temporarily occupied territories.

Announcements of so-called referendums and forced passportization under threat of violence are attempts by the enemy to cover up its failures at the front and find a pretext for further nuclear blackmail. The declaration of mobilization also testifies to the Kremlin’s desperation. That is why it is especially important now to support Ukraine with the necessary weapons to accelerate the liberation of still-occupied territories and save Ukrainians there from Russian terror.