The village of Kozacha Lopan, liberated from the Russian army on September 11, is under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Before the war, the town had a population of more than 5000 people, while after the Russian occupation about 1000 remained.

The invaders did not expect that Ukrainians would launch a counteroffensive in the Kharkiv direction so quickly, and therefore left the town without a fight. The Russians tried to “evacuate” the population of the entire village, saying “Banderites should come and kill everyone”.

There is almost no abandoned equipment left here, only in some places ammunition can still be found. The occupiers managed to take out military vehicles because Kozacha Lopan is close to the border with Russia.

Now Ukrainian power supply is being restored here. Sappers are working, clearing the roads of mines, preparing passages through the blown-up crossings to deliver building materials to repair crucial infrastructure, as well as to evacuate people and deliver humanitarian aid.

The village is recovering from the Russian occupation, Gwara Media reports.

Ukrainian soldier looks towards the Russian border. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
A broken car near Kozacha Lopan. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Road to the village. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Tamara, 71, lived under Russian occupation for more than 6 months. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
For the first time since February, residents of the village can move freely in Kozacha Lopan. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Locals at the railway station. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Former customs control zone at Kozacha Lopan railway station. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
The remnants of a Russian car. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Russian propaganda. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Russian propaganda. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Russian propaganda newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
A destroyed bridge over the Lopan river. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Russian tricolor on the fence. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Local shows the abandoned ammunition. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media
Destroyed monument to the victims of World War II in the village of Prudyanka near Kozacha Lopan. Oleksandr Magula / Gwara Media