Vovchansk, a small town in the East of Ukraine, was under the devastating pressure of war. The arrival of the “Russian world” changed everything: buildings turned into ruins, and the city's life became a daily struggle for survival. The war has also affected the lives of local residents – they no longer have anything native, their own, so warm and unforgettable.

We want to show all sides of the occupation of Vovchansk: destroyed infrastructure, destroyed sports facilities and destroyed training opportunities. Forced cooperation with the enemy became a new reality for those who stayed in the city at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The echoes of the once vibrant sports movement have become a reminder of a peaceful past that can no longer be returned. This story is about loss and hope, about how the war halted the development of sports in Vovchansk, but could not break the fighting spirit of those people who had worked for years to make it flourish.

Before the war, Vovchansk was a city where sports were actively developing. The local children's and youth sports school offered football, athletics, kickboxing, and table tennis sections. In addition, the city had a modern sports and recreation center, which became one of the best in Kharkiv region. The Vovchansk football club has also achieved significant success. “The team reached the Second League. It went through the amateur level, played in the Ukrainian Amateur Championship and got a ticket to professional clubs,” says Valeriy Starodubets, a physical education teacher and coach with over 30 years of experience.

During the year, the community hosted several football tournaments involving about 16 teams, including teams from small villages. In addition to football, volleyball, basketball and table tennis competitions were organized. There was also an aggregate plant in Vovchansk that held its own tournaments: various types of competitions and sports days for its employees and children. The city also paid special attention to the development of children's sports: the children's team coached by Valeriy Starodubets achieved significant success, winning local and national competitions, including the Ukrainian Futsal Cup.

On February 24 2022, Russian soldiers in tanks drove armed through the city. Bridges were torn down, and it was no longer possible to drive towards Kharkiv. From the first hours of the full-scale invasion, the city of Vovchansk was under occupation. Valeriy Starodubets shared his emotions on the first day of the full-scale invasion: “On February 24, when it all started, we, probably like all people of Ukraine, were scared and did not know what to do. The Russians entered Vovchansk in the first hours. We woke up at about half past five because the shooting started, we could see all the flashes from the window. In the first hours we ran to the cellar to hide. It was very, very scary. The same day, the school director canceled all classes.”

After the occupation, the development of sports in Vovchansk stopped, and no competitions were held among adults. Some teachers cooperated and remained under occupation. “When Vovchansk was liberated, the head of the education department fled,” says Valeriy Starodubets. “Many of those who cooperated fled to Russia. Teachers who refused to accept Russian narratives are now fighting for their future and the future of their children.

After the liberation of Vovchansk from Russian troops in September 2022, the city suffered from daily shelling. With the beginning of the second Russian offensive in May 2024, the city was almost completely reduced to ruins. “Everything is broken in Vovchansk. There is nothing there,” Starodubets says with pain. Not only the sports infrastructure was destroyed, but also schools, residential buildings, and playgrounds. The future of sports life in the city now depends on whether the community can rebuild what has been destroyed and return to peaceful life.

The story of Vovchansk during the occupation reflects how Russian aggression destroyed not only infrastructure but also tried to destroy Ukrainian identity. The story of sports life embodies the moments that once united the city. Vovchansk now lies in ruins, and the competitions that brought joy will no longer take place.

Many residents refused to compromise with the occupiers, risking their own safety. Sport, even in times of war, has become a symbol of resistance and fortitude. The refusal of teachers and coaches to participate in Russian events demonstrates their steadfastness and loyalty to Ukraine. This struggle to preserve Ukrainian identity despite the pressure of the occupiers is a vivid example of the fact that even in the darkest times, the fire of hope and freedom burns in people's hearts.

Vovchansk will live forever in the hearts of its residents. This story clearly demonstrates what happens when the enemy comes to power and destroys everything that once brought joy, emotions and memories to people. It radically breaks the system and takes away the most valuable thing - people's lives. The struggle for the independence of the Ukrainian people continues, and the time will come when the yellow and blue flag will fly over the peaceful city of Vovchansk.