The occupation authorities more often begin to talk about Popasna in terms of its reconstruction, creating conditions for living and providing assistance to those who remained in the city. Repair work, demining, conducting services in the church, congratulations on the holidays, providing a "humanitarian aid" - sounds optimistic and encouraging. However, not all of these processes are true, and some are used only for propaganda purposes.
The journalist of TRIBUNE found out what is really happening in the city, how people in Popasna live, whether the promises of the invaders are realized and how Russian propaganda works.
Repair work in destroyed houses
The city of Popasna that is located in Luhansk oblast, has been occupied since May 8, 2022. As a result of hostilities and heavy shelling by Russian troops the city was completely destroyed. There is no surviving building: neither block of flats, nor the private sector, nor administrative buildings or other institutions.
In January 2024, the occupation authorities began to talk about carrying out repair work in the houses where people in Popasna live today. It should be noted that according to Russian volunteers, 256 people live in Popasna.
Serhiy Koliahin, the so-called head of the administration of the city of Pervomaisk, on January 15, 2024, said that a humanitarian action would be held in Popasna on repair and restoration work, the purpose of which was "practical assistance to the residents of the city of Popasnaya in closing the thermal circuit of the dwellings belonging to them: glazing windows and overlapping roofs." Installation of windows and overlapping roofs will be engaged in builders from Voronezh.
As of February 2024, there is no information or reports on repair and restoration work. Therefore, the loud statement of the occupation authorities remained either a promise or propaganda to show the world stories about establishing life in the so-called "LPR."
How the city looks like, in particular residential buildings, the invaders showed in the video.
Propaganda of war through art
At the same time, the invaders are in no hurry to engage in the restoration of Popasna. On the contrary, they are trying to "save" the ruins for future propaganda.
In February 2024, the city was visited by a Russian artist. He painted pictures of destroyed houses and the destroyed St. Nicholas Church.
Local partisans say that these paintings will be presented at the exhibition. They also want to make a museum from the city, where private excursions will be held.
It is not the first time that the Russians plan to implement such a thing. In October 2023, occupation resources reported that " Kaluha region, patronizing Pervomaisk, will help to make Popasna a place of military glory and the center of patriotic tourism."
"Opening the temple": from construction work to religion
While the so-called construction work is ineffective, the invaders opened the "temple" for local residents. In fact, we are talking about the All Saints Chapel in the VRZ microdistrict (The small district where Railway carriage repair plant is located). During a full-scale invasion, it was badly damaged.
This event took place in January 2024. But it is worth noting that the chapel is still in a terrible state. That is, even at its "opening" no one was engaged in restoration.
Religion is one of the tools of Russian propaganda. Occupants pay great attention to churches, prayers and services, thus demonstrating their values. They say that their actions seem to be for good, because God is with them.
Popasna was no exception in this matter. With the words "We turn to God only with prayer... We believe that there will be victory "Russian military chaplain on the ruins of St. Nicholas Church held a service. The temple is located in the microdistrict "garden." It was destroyed as a result of active hostilities and shelling in the city.
Demining as a step towards a peaceful life
The so-called "LPR Government" on February 7, 2024 in the official telegram channel published information from Denis Pashkov, the head of the Luhansk branch of the "Railway Roads of Novorossia," about the demining of the railway in Popasna.
At the same time, the report notes that the process of restoring the railway infrastructure is complex and "it is necessary to survey, finance, make up the mixture and schedule of work." So for now, these are just plans.
Previously, demining in Popasna did not take place. In the city, the occupation authorities placed tables "Dangerous mines" and banned or limited residents to move around some places.
Occupants congratulate on holidays and provide with everything that is necessary
Russian volunteers, representatives of the so-called "LPR" authorities, volunteer organizations of the "LPR" report that they constantly deliver humanitarian aid to residents of Popasna.
For example, the "People's Front of the LPR" brought food, flour, sugar, hygiene products, washing powder and things to the residents of Popasna. As Andrii Hil, a representative of the Popular Front, notes: "everything that people need in this difficult time."
On New Year's holidays, for children living in the city were also not left without attention (as of February 2024, 10 children aged 5 to 17 years). They were congratulated by the Chief of Staff of the Regional Branch of the All-Russian Military-Patriotic Public Movement "UNARMIA" in the "LPR" Oksana Luhantseva, presenting gifts from Gazprom Inform.
And, as if, really from the photos and videos of the invaders, we can conclude that the locals are provided with everything necessary, have minimal survival kits. Is this enough and what do the residents of Popasna say?
"We don't live here, we survive here"
Yurii describes life in the occupied Popasna. He and his wife did not leave the city during the fighting and are not going to leave it now. The family lost their son, who died due to a shell hitting the house.
In an interview with a Russian journalist, the man said that they live without any amenities, in particular without gas. The nearest city where you can buy something is Pervomaisk. They also go there for medicines.
The generator was bought by themselves. Petrol was transported by bicycle from Pervomaisk. Firewood was also pulled by bike. In that year, they made an application for coal - they did not give anything. They promise compensation, but when it will be. Already half winter has passed", - say Yurii.
The man complains that rats have appeared in his house. He got rid of mice. Now the man is fighting with other pests.
Volodymyr, a resident of Popasna, told about the situation in the city and humanitarian aid. The man noted that there is no light or water. Sometimes it is brought, but often residents recruit in wells and from the spring. But first of all I would like to solve the problem with light or to give a generator.
"2 times a month we get a humanitarian aid. Today they gave butter, stew, pasta, bread. There is a norm on man. Issued documents for compensation for housing. Still waiting for the results. We have applied for coal. We are still waiting, "says Volodymyr.
There is no work in Popasna. The only transport that can be used by locals is a bicycle. To have more food or medicine, you should go to the neighboring occupied city of Pervomaisk. Not everyone can afford to buy a generator. The lack of coal supply forces us to look for firewood in the city. Realities that are frankly spoken by those who still remain to live in occupation.
The war is not over for Popasna
No matter how the occupation authorities talk about "rebuilding," "opening" something, improving living conditions, but the war continues. Popasna remains a city that the Russian military uses for its own purposes. They set their own rules, orders and prohibitions. They settle in the houses they need, occupy buildings, place equipment, etc.
So, for example, Russian army equipped for itself a bomb shelter in Popasna. Local comment that the photo shows the basement of one of the residential buildings.
Every day, Russian combat equipment goes through the city to Bakhmut in battle. Its number is incalculable.
But civilians continue to survive and show signs of life.
Author: Yuliia Kanzeba
