Participants of the “Crimea Global” conference visited devastated Kharkiv, saw an underground school, and honored murdered children

On 15 November, participants of the International Conference “Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South” continued their visit to Ukraine and travelled to Kharkiv.

The day began with a visit by experts and journalists from Africa, Asia, and Latin America to the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration (RMA) for a meeting with its leadership. Deputy Head of the Kharkiv RMA, Yevhen Ivanov, met with the foreign delegation, joined by Ivan Dudka, Director of the Department of Economy and International Relations of the Kharkiv RMA.

During the meeting, representatives of the Administration briefed the guests on how the course of the war in Kharkiv had evolved from 2022 to 2025 following the launch of the full-scale invasion. Conference participants were informed about the current situation in the city after four years of Russian attacks, the growing number of destroyed infrastructure facilities, and the critical importance of international support.

“Kharkiv region is a frontline area. Despite all the challenges of the full-scale invasion, recovery efforts are ongoing across the region, the network of safe educational spaces is expanding, and the unique underground hospital ‘Kovcheh’ is being developed. Deepening cooperation with the countries of the Global South is an important component of advancing international relations,” noted Yevhen Ivanov.

Conference participants had the opportunity to witness firsthand the scale of destruction that Russian forces continue to inflict on the city. They examined the aftermath of Russian strikes on Svobody and Myronosytska streets, as well as the building of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, where 44 people were killed in the attack on 1 March 2022. The delegation then visited Northern Saltivka — one of the most devastated districts of Kharkiv, subjected to relentless shelling since the start of the full-scale invasion.

International experts also learned about Kharkiv’s modern security solutions and visited an underground school — the Korotych Lyceum — where secure underground classrooms have been set up for students. This allows nearly 600 children to continue their studies in a blended format even during air raid alerts.

Members of the delegation honoured the memory of the children killed in the war and laid toys at the memorial symbolising lives cut short by the conflict.

Throughout the visit, the delegation was accompanied by the “Crimea Global” team, including Kateryna Anhelova, Chief Consultant of the Crimean Platform Support Service; Anastasiia Lykholat, Programme Director at the ZMINA Human Rights Centre; and Mariia Tomak, Truth Hounds researcher and Chair of the Board of the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

On November 14, the conference participants visited Lviv, where they met with Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi and his First Deputy Andriy Moskalenko at the Lviv City Hall. They discussed the losses the city has suffered as a result of Russia’s aggression, the development of inclusive urban infrastructure, and practices for integrating veterans into active social life. The next item on the programme was paying tribute to the fallen defenders of Ukraine at the Field of Honor at Lychakiv Cemetery. The delegation lit candles to express solidarity and respect for the heroism of the Ukrainian people.

Afterwards, the conference experts visited the UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Center and the Prosthetics and Orthotics Center to learn about the work of institutions that provide daily assistance to wounded service members and civilians.

Organisers: Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea / Office of the Crimea Platform, Human Rights Centre ZMINA, Media Initiative for Human Rights.

Partners: Ukrainian Institute, PEN Ukraine, Truth Hounds, Media Center Ukraine, Transatlantic Dialogue Center.

The visit to Kharkiv, organised with the support of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, was an accompanying component of the program of the “Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South” conference, which will take place on 17–18 November.

The initiative is organised with the support of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU), the International Renaissance Foundation, the Prague Civil Society Centre, the Norwegian-Swedish Askold and Dir Fund, administered by ISAR Ednannia, and UN Women.