When Russia started a full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, Kharkiv was among the first cities Russia attempted to occupy. With its exceptional cultural life, the border city has been considered as pro-Russian for a long time, while Moscow also sees its symbolic importance as Kharkiv was the first capital of Ukraine Soviet Republic. However, the people of Kharkiv defended their city by expressing their strong objection to be a part of Russia. In return, the residents are being terrorised by the long distance shelling every day.

LRT reporter Augustinas Šulija recalls his visit to Kharkiv in summer of 2022 and describes the character of the city, balancing between Russia and Ukraine, and changes, brought by the war.

Produced by Augustinas Šulija and Sigita Vegytė.

English translation by Skrivanek Translation Agency.

Subtitles by Adomas Zubė.

Presented at the EBU AudioDocs conference 2023 in Reykjavik, Iceland