Russia’s War Four Years On: Fairy Tale Town Bears Scars of Conflict
At first glance, Yelets looks like a Russian fairy tale. Golden domes of Orthodox churches dot the skyline. Ice fishermen sit along the frozen river below. However, this peaceful feeling does not last long.
On the riverbank stands an army recruitment billboard. It promises a large cash sum to new soldiers. Anyone signing up gets £15,000 to fight in Ukraine. Nearby, a poster shows a soldier aiming his Kalashnikov. “We’re there where we need to be,” the slogan declares.
Four Years of War
Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. The world saw it as an attempt to control Ukraine. Moscow wanted to overturn Europe’s post-Cold War security order. The Kremlin expected a short, successful operation. It did not go to plan.
Four years later, the war grinds on relentlessly. It has now lasted longer than the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany. As a result, this Russian town war impact becomes visible everywhere.
Faces of the Fallen
A giant mural covers a nine-story apartment block. It shows the faces of five local soldiers. These Yelets men died fighting in Ukraine. “Glory to the heroes of Russia!” appears at the top.The fairy tale ends here. Real war has come to this quiet town. Its sons have paid the ultimate price.
