Borodyanka – A Path to Recovery

Borodyanka, a town located northwest of Kyiv, has emerged as one of the most intriguing and complex cases of recovery following the devastating attacks by the Russian army at the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Between February and April 2022, invading forces obliterated much of the town and its infrastructure. According to local residents, there was not a single building that remained unscathed.

However, four years can bring significant changes. Two photographs illustrating the same building on Central Street depict its state immediately after the Russian attack and its current appearance today.

Old structures that could be salvaged after the bomb and shell strikes have been reconstructed in a more modern style. Many of those that were completely destroyed have been rebuilt from the ground up.

Practically all of these buildings are now occupied, and local residents have returned home, even though work on the surrounding streets is still ongoing.

The reconstruction efforts are not merely aimed at 'restoring what was.' Instead, modern approaches are being employed, which include wide sidewalks, functional ground floors, and bike lanes.

According to Vyacheslav Barbulov, the head of the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture, the primary goal of the reconstruction efforts is to create a modern, inclusive space.

The idea is simple – more areas for pedestrians, greater comfort for the elderly and people with disabilities, and improved road safety.

However, the ruins of some old buildings remain, particularly those of historical significance and others where artists have left graffiti.

Among these is 'The Gymnast,' created by the anonymous British artist Banksy.

A monument to the famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, damaged by Russian soldiers, has been preserved as a symbol of Ukraine's indomitable strength and its enduring history and culture.

Ukraine's approach to the reconstruction of Borodyanka – partially funded by the Ukrainian government and partially through international grants – is somewhat of an experiment. If it proves effective, the government may consider replicating this experience in other cities.

According to government sources and media reports, the reconstruction efforts are expected to reach around 1.5 billion hryvnias (approximately 35 million dollars) – a substantial sum for a small town like Borodyanka.