Rubble and resistance in Kharkiv – in pictures

Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine. Officially up to 1.5 million residents live there, yet after the war started in eastern Ukraine 2014 more than 500 000 moved there from the pro-Russian separatist-held territories. Kharkiv is considered a university town, with the largest number of students in the country. Situated 25 miles (40 km) from the Russian border it was considered one of the major targets by Russia and was one of the first hit. However, Russian troops have not managed to capture the city. On 1 March the centre of the town, including the regional council building and central Freedom Square were hit by bombs and rockets. The old city centre has been partially destroyed, while shelling is intense in the suburban areas closer to the places where Russian troops are based. Many people have left the city, but the majority remain. Yet observing the damage, many Kharkiv residents say their main task is to win the war and then ‘rebuild the city to make it even better’

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