Three years ago, in early March 2022, the first mass grave of civilians in Bucha, a town situated in the Kyiv region, was captured by satellite images. This grave lies on the grounds of the Church of St Andrew, now marked by the Wall of Remembrance, which honors the lives lost at the hands of Russian troops during the occupation.
Father Andriy Halavin, the priest at the Church of St Andrew, remains in Bucha, bearing witness to the aftermath of Russia’s harsh invasion of Ukraine. The Kyiv region, including towns such as Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin, was among the first to confront and ultimately repel the advancing Russian forces in early 2022.
A tribute to the fallen
As Father Andriy guides viewers to Bucha’s Wall of Remembrance, he emphasizes the need for a permanent memorial to replace the wall adorned with metal plaques, each representing a civilian killed during the occupation. He envisions this space as one for families to gather, particularly for children, to draw strength from the memories preserved there. “The liberation of our country started with the liberation of Bucha,” he stated.
Father Andriy possesses an intimate knowledge of Bucha’s streets and residents. He recalls the tragic story of a family that fled the initial invasion of the Donbas, only to find themselves fleeing again to Bucha. On March 5, just days into the occupation, they attempted to escape but were met with gunfire from Russian forces. “Russian forces opened fire at them, at the entire family, just like this, in the streets of Bucha,” he recalled, noting that only the father survived, losing a leg in the process. The names of his two children—aged nine and four—and their mother are forever etched into the memorial that stands across from their former home.
The scars of war
The Vokzal’na Street in Bucha, once the site of a terrifying encounter with a column of Russian armored vehicles, has undergone a striking transformation. The street, now rejuvenated, bears little resemblance to its former battleground state and instead resembles a peaceful European town, complete with modern homes and inviting cafes. Although many shops have reopened and life appears to have resumed, the emotional scars left by the conflict remain. Father Andriy points out that the Wall of Remembrance lists 509 civilians who lost their lives during the occupation, stating, “509 civilians died here not as a result of combat, but during the occupation. And we have not yet talked about rape, robbery, abduction of children.”
In the face of ongoing talks with Russia, Father Andriy expresses his concerns. He believes that for the Russians, negotiations serve as a means to achieve aims unattainable through warfare. “The Russians wanted to take Kyiv in three days, and they failed. With the help of Trump, negotiations, and so on, they are trying to occupy Ukraine in some other way,” he explained. He stresses the importance of addressing crimes committed during the conflict in any discussions, arguing that the concept of ‘peace’ differs greatly between Ukraine and Russia.
“Ukrainians understand the word ‘peace’ when they are not killed, when there is justice, when criminals are held accountable for their crimes — this is peace,” Father Andriy said.
He articulates a stark contrast, suggesting that from Putin’s perspective, “peace” equates to a situation where no one remains alive on the Ukrainian side, save for the territorial gains. Father Andriy’s reflections highlight the profound complexities surrounding the notion of peace and the urgent need for recognition of the atrocities committed during the conflict.