BUCHA, Ukraine - Locals from war-battered Bucha slammed the Ukrainian government for their slow efforts in reconstructing the town as it bore the brunt of Russia's brutal takeover of the northern region of Ukraine five months ago.
Alexandra Zabarylo and Ivan Tukhovskiy, an elderly couple who returned to Bucha last month say the government has not done anything for them to start a new life. All they have is a cabin house provided by volunteers.
"The municipality has informed us that we should wait for the reconstructions until the war is over," Zabarylo said. "What if the war does not end until the end of this year? How are we supposed to endure the cold of autumn?"
Before the war started, at least 62,000 people used to live in Bucha and its surrounding villages. The number sharply declined to below 3,700. Moreover, since Russian troops began to retreat in the town at the end of March, at least 25,000 people have returned to the war-ravaged region, with the remaining people still opting to stay in Kyiv and Lviv cities.
Bucha made international headlines as the scenes of Russia’s “war crimes” emerged from the town in April after their retreat.
During Russia's brief takeover of Bucha, 416 civilians were killed and 187 residential buildings were destroyed, Mykhailyna Skoryk, the advisor to Bucha’s mayor, told Rudaw at the beginning of May.
Cameraman: Ahmed Younus
