Chernihiv: City of Beauty and Destruction

Chernihiv, in the north of Ukraine, is one of the most beautiful and historical cities in Ukraine, being only second in importance to Kyiv in the Kievan Rus' (the Ukrainian state that existed between the late ninth and middle of the thirteenth century and awash with ancient and historical buildings. The old town is now transformed into a park, with a historical Viking museum (now closed for entry, as are most of the churches that give the old town a profoundly holy quality.

It was also the site of terrible destruction as the Russians attempted to encircle the city in March 2022, indiscriminately shelling government and private buildings alike; and it continues to be the subject of drone attacks on a near-daily basis. The drones appear to be of the Shaheed variety, striking private buildings and ruining the lives of the civilians who live there.

Here is a series of images of the old town by the River Dnipro, to give the reader a flavour of the historical flavour of the city (as well as some of the damage inflicted upon it).

And here are some images and videos of the comprehensive damage and destruction done to Chernihiv, some as recently as a few days ago, together with the efforts of the Phoenix Group (information about which is in the article at this link) to rebuild private people's homes after the wanton Russian destruction.