Ukrainian villages try to build a future near the war front

From Staryi Saltiv’s brand new school building, smoke can be seen rising from a distant town across the river valley, a contrast that vividly illustrates the hope and fear that reigns in dozens of villages along the front lines of Ukraine’s war.

The school in Staryi Saltiv was built to replace one that Russia destroyed in 2022 when Ukraine recaptured the lakeside resort town in a counteroffensive that fall.

“If there is no school, no hospital and no government services, people will not stay here or consider returning,” says Anton Palyey, the military-appointed administrator of Staryi Saltiv.

“Our job as a government is to show local people that these villages are not abandoned and that they can trust that this place has a future.”

This determination to keep Ukraine’s traumatized villages alive can be seen everywhere in Staryi Saltiv – from the numerous construction projects to the vegetable gardens behind many houses.

“I’ve decided that I’m not afraid anymore,” says Lidiia Chatchenko, the unofficial mayor of a small village outside Staryi Saltiv, stressing that she is careful not to sound too naively optimistic. “I’m just going to do what I can to help the people in my village who just want to stay in their homes.”

Anton Palyey stands proudly in front of the new three-story school building, whose cheerful accents in bright colors will soon greet the returning students.

It was built to replace the school that was destroyed by Russian shelling in 2022, when enemy troops captured this lakeside resort village just 19 kilometers from the Russian border. Staryi Saltiv was recaptured in a counteroffensive in the fall of 2022.

“If there is no school, no hospital and no government services, people will not stay here or consider returning,” says Palyey, who has served as the military-appointed administrator of Staryi Saltiv since the village was recaptured by Ukrainian forces.

Pointing to the northern horizon, where a dark cloud of smoke rises over the town of Vovchansk—devastated in a surprise Russian border offensive in May—the village administrator describes his role as being equal parts service provider and pacifier/morale booster.

“With a so-called neighbor like ours who can do something like this at any time,” he says, nodding toward the smoke, “it’s understandable that people are so afraid to live here.”

“Our job as a government,” he adds, “is to show local people that these villages are not abandoned and that they can trust that this place has a future.”