Life in Russian-occupied Ukraine
- Matthew Parish
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
The conflict in Ukraine, marked notably by the annexation of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014 and the full-scale invasion beginning in February 2022, has led to profound changes in the fabric of life for those residing in occupied territories. It is not easy to get information out of the Occupied Territories, as they are off-limits for all but the hardiest of foreigners who are prepared to travel there via Russia (which excludes anyone with a Ukrainian stamp in their passport). However information leaks out. The implications of the occupation, stretching across various cities, towns, and regions, are complex, defined by a spectrum of experiences that range from oppressive control to the steadfast resilience of the Ukrainian populace.
The Erosion of Normalcy
In cities such as Mariupol, Melitopol, Berdiansk (a port on the Sea of Azov to the west of Mariupol) and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the occupation has imposed a significant alteration in daily life and societal norms. These cities are virtually deserted, people preferring to stay indoors save to obtain daily necessities. At night the streets are completely empty. Russian soldiers can stop, search and arrest anyone arbitrarily at any time. All these events amount to what might be called the erosion of normalcy. Everyday routines have been disrupted by military presence and the imposition of Russian administrative systems. Local governance has been replaced by Russian officials, with the introduction of new laws and systems that require conformity to imposed Russian socio-political ideals. This transfer of power has not only affected political participation but also curtailed civil liberties, rendering public dissent a perilous endeavour.
The level of militarisation in these areas varies; however pervasive checkpoints, increased military patrols, and an atmosphere of fear are common themes. In cities like Mariupol, heavily bombarded at the onset of the war, survivors often speak of unbearable conditions marked by lack of basic necessities—water, food, and medical care—amidst the trauma of bombings and the loss of life. The centre of Mariupol has been partially reconstructed, but the suburbs have not; and the city remains deserted.
As an estimate one third or more of the population of the occupied territories have fled, the towns and cities have become full of empty buildings. Russians have been offered financial incentives to move into the occupied territories and work in state-owned enterprises such as ports, factories and businesses relating to the iron, coal and steel sectors, to replace the people who have abandoned the occupied territories as refugees, or who have been forcibly removed to Russia. This happened in late 2022 en masse to Ukrainian speakers in Donetsk - leading to an International Criminal Court indictment for war crimes against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hence a two-tier social structure has emerged, with native Russian speakers or native Russians enjoying preferential treatment over others.
The constant movement of troops, armour and materiel through the occupied territories' generally poor roads has blocked the roads and caused damage to the infrastructure.
Donetsk city itself has retained the greatest sense of normalcy but we understand that a 10pm curfew exists there and there is a signficiant proportion of Russians who have moved into houses abandoned by Ukrainians. Donetsk retains some hotels and still has a population of a few hundred thousand.
It is believed that the number of Russians who have been relocated to the occupied territories numbers in the hundreds of thousands, but there is no reliable way of verifying this. It seems that a significant proportion of the Russians relocated to the occupied territories are from the southern Caucasus region. Russian soldiers have been known to go from house to house in the major towns in the occupied territories, looking for abandoned properties so that they can draw up lists of accommodation for incoming Russian workers.
Very little information is available out of the city of Luhansk, save that we understand that the city has been transformed into a giant military base and otherwise retains a 1970's Soviet feel. The reconstruction work was been commenced in Mariupol as Moscow wants to return it to full use as a Sea of Azov port; they are currently using Berdiansk whose port facilities are smaller and less suitable for modern vessels. However we were unable to obtain more information.
Life remains at its most normal in Crimea, which was always a sleepy place, suitable for people on vacation; but military transit continues to take place there. Activities at the Russian military port at Sevastopol have significantly diminished, due to the substantial damage the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been able to inflict against the Russian navy their using their high-tech "sea drones". Russia initially invested in infrastructure in Crimea after the 2014 annexation, but then abandoned it to isolation. The Crimean Bridge is open and protected by six S-400 anti-missile systems, but heavy security exists around the bridge and its use appears to be predominantly military, to supply the front line. Because the bridge has been damaged in the past by suspected Ukrainian special forces attacks, the passage of so many heavy military vehicles across it has made it dangerous. Passenger trains are apparently still crossing the bridge from Krasnodar in Russia.
Disinformation and Cultural Suppression
Cultural suppression is an insidious aspect of life under occupation. In a bid to erase Ukrainian identity, authorities have sought to impose Russian narratives, revising history and marginalising Ukrainian language and culture. People have been required to exchange their Ukrainian identification documents for Russian ones, on pain of being barred from access to public services such as schools and hospitals. Educational institutions have become vehicles for this indoctrination, with curricula designed to promote Russian patriotism and downplay Ukraine's sovereignty. Ukrainian language books are often removed from libraries, replaced with materials that glorify Russian history and diminish Ukrainian achievements.
Disinformation campaigns also permeate daily existence, with state-controlled media disseminating propaganda that portrays the occupation as a liberation. The effects of this manipulation are profound, as they create divisions within the populace, often pitting those who accept the new narrative against those who cling to their Ukrainian identity. The struggle for truth, meanwhile, remains perilous, as dissenters face severe consequences. There can be no doubt that this is a form of totalitarianism.
There are reports that many western websites and social media channels are blocked, as is true in Russia herself. Many websites and mobile 'phone Apps have blocked themselves from working in the occupied territories, as they have in Russia. Traditionally in the region news has come from the television, which in the occupied territories is state-controlled Russian language channels. Russia deploys electronic communications surveillance technology in the occupied territories, scooping up emails and instant messages sent from mobile telephones to see what people are writing about. Certain key words will trigger an enquiry, and people perceived as at high risk of promoting dissent may be under constant electronic observation.
Economic Hardship and Tactical Adjustments
Economically, the occupied territories face profound challenges. The disruption of traditional markets and supply chains has led to increased prices, disruption to the banking system (the Hryvnia has been replaced by the Russian ruble; all bank accounts were automatically converted) and scarcity of goods. The abrupt transition to a Russian economic system has also presented new difficulties, as businesses are forced to navigate an environment of uncertainty and fear amidst arbitrary military activities or the influence of the Russian security and intelligence services. Small business owners in cities like Melitopol and Luhansk have reported difficulties in operating under the incessant threat of closure or seizure by occupying forces. Shop fronts are boarded up, and tourist attractions have been turned into military checkpoints.
Amidst the strife, a spirit of resilience has emerged. Informal economies have sprouted, with community members engaging in barter systems to sustain themselves. Farmers have adapted to the realities of occupation, changing their cultivation practices to align with new market demands dictated by the occupier. While the overarching economic landscape remains bleak, these adaptations illustrate the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.
Social Dynamics and Resistance
Social dynamics have been irreparably shifted under occupation. Families are often divided by the war, with some members fleeing to unoccupied regions (even in April 2025 such routes exist, albeit that they are very dangerous) while others remain behind, grappling with the harsh realities of daily life under Russian military rule. In the early months of the war, a number of young men in the occupied territories were either forced out in so-called "filtration" procedures, or required to enrol in Russian security organisations such as newly formed Police units. This separation adds layers of emotional trauma that complicate interpersonal relationships and community cohesion. Nevertheless many residents have found ways to organise themselves in defiance of Russian authority, forming civic groups to provide mutual aid, to document abuses by the occupying forces, and to maintain a sense of community.
Acts of everyday resistance manifest in varied forms, from clandestine gatherings that celebrate Ukrainian heritage to refusal to comply with imposed Russian legal mandates. The presence of underground networks illustrates the enduring commitment to Ukrainian identity and autonomy. These groups engage in covert efforts to support displaced individuals and disseminate information about the situation on the ground, resisting the tide of disinformation.
Notwithstanding the fake Russian referendums in the occupied territories held in September 2022 and supervised by the Russian security forces, it is estimated that of the 3.5 million Ukrainians still living in the occupied territories, 60-70% want to return to be part of Ukraine rather than remain under Russian occupation.
Conclusion
Life in Russian-occupied Ukraine is characterised by a complex interplay of totalitarian oppression, resilience, and identity. As cities and towns bear the scars of conflict, the populace adapts and resists in myriad ways that reflect a deep-seated connection to their national identity. While the overarching narrative of occupation unfolds with themes of control and suppression, the story of the Ukrainian people is also one of resistance—an assertion of their will to survive, thrive, and reclaim their narrative amid overwhelming odds.
The future remains uncertain for those living in occupied territories, but one thing is clear: the spirit of Ukraine endures, unwavering in its quest for sovereignty and dignity. The resilience of her people, forged in the crucible of conflict, stands as a testament to the strength of national identity in the face of adversity. As they navigate life under occupation, Ukrainians continue to uphold their cultural heritage and collective memory, ensuring that their identity remains vibrant even amidst the challenges of war.