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ConflictsUkraine

Life underground: Kharkiv in wartime

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January 18, 2025

The war in Ukraine has changed everything for the people of Kharkiv, near the Russian border. Some aspects of life have been forced underground.

The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has been under attack since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. Located just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, missile alerts have become a daily occurrence. The metro stations were turned into shelters early on, and now, they safeguard surrogate schools, while other underground locations have become alternative venues for theaters or concerts. There are even plans to build an entire amusement park underground. What is life like in this war zone? Carolina Chimoy visited Kharkiv.    

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Reporter — On Location

DW’s on-the-ground reporters are always close to the action, be it covering international events or zooming in on some of the quirks of daily life. Camera always in hand, they report on the changes they see taking place in Germany, Europe and around the world.

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