A Kharkiv metro station became a bomb shelter as the city came under Russian attack. Now, at the holiday season, it's also a Christmas village where kids can drop off letters to Grandfather Frost.
While Ukraine's counteroffensive this month was hailed as stunning by military observers, Ukrainian troops tell NPR that Russian forces put up stiff resistance in parts of the Kharkiv region.
Villagers describe allegations of abuse and officials say they found a torture chamber in Kozacha Lopan, in the Kharkiv region, which Russian forces invaded and took over at the start of the war.
Ukrainian forces liberated the town of Balakliia in a swift counteroffensive against Russia in the east, where retreating Russian troops left behind tanks, captives and an untold number of casualties.
Ukrainian forces have broken through Russia's front lines in the east, retaking strategic towns and territory in a surprise counteroffensive that began just days ago.
A Ukrainian official says Russian shelling and missile strikes in Kharkiv hit only civilian buildings such as a shopping center, a a school and a shopping center, and are "absolute terrorism."
Vladyslav Krasnoshchok describes himself as a "geopolitical surrealist" painter. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, he's been photographing the war with a vintage Olympus 35 mm camera.
Vladyslav Krasnoshchok describes himself as a "geopolitical surrealist" painter. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, he's been photographing the war with a vintage Olympus 35 mm camera.
As Ukrainian troops push Russian forces away from its second-largest city, the mayor urges thousands of residents to emerge from their makeshift shelters in the city's metro stations and trains.
