Izium, an eastern Ukrainian city scarred by Russia’s 2022 occupation, now braces for another assault as Moscow’s forces move closer, striking with glide bombs and drones. Residents recall the mass grave and ruined buildings left after the five‑month occupation, when 447 bodies were exhumed and reburied on a hilltop. The city’s strategic high ground has made it a contested stronghold for centuries, from Cossacks to Nazis. Today, with defenses dug and Ukrainian troops rehearsing large‑scale operations, people like journalist Mykola Kaliuzhny and Deputy Mayor Volodymyr Matsokin fear further destruction but cling to hope that Ukrainian forces will hold the line. The population has dropped from 45,000 to about 28,000, and ongoing Russian strikes keep the memory of past horrors fresh.

Local commander “Coach” emphasized planning for every scenario while Ukrainian military prepares new fortifications. Historical exhibits in Izium’s museum display Russian propaganda, helmets, and boots, underscoring the city’s painful past. Despite the looming danger, residents continue daily life, with music echoing in the main square, refusing to accept that the enemy could return.

The city’s deputy mayor stresses that Izium wants to rebuild and live beyond its reputation for mass graves and torture. Ongoing Russian advances and strikes keep the community on edge, but they maintain hope and resilience.