Rural areas of Kharkiv region: consequences of the full-scale war

Abstract

The Kharkiv region remains a frontline and the most devastated region throughout the full-scale Russian invasion. Rural areas are particularly vulnerable, where military actions have led to large-scale changes in all spheres of local communities' life. The purpose of the article is to analyze the consequences of the full-scale war for the rural areas of Kharkiv region. The article identifies settlements in the region located in the zone of active hostilities and those that were or are under occupation as the most affected by military actions; determines the consequences of military actions for socio-economic development, infrastructure, agricultural sector, demographic situation, and ecological condition of rural areas in Kharkiv region; outlines the main vectors of post-war recovery of rural areas in Kharkiv region.

Among the settlements of the Kharkiv region located in the zone of active hostilities (595 settlements) and those that were or are still under occupation (597 settlements), villages predominate (568 and 574 villages respectively). This represents one-third of all rural settlements in the region.

Analysis of the war consequences for rural areas of the Kharkiv region shows a significant decline in economic activity due to the destruction of agricultural enterprises and personal households, loss of access to markets, destruction of infrastructure, mass exodus of villagers to safer regions of Ukraine or abroad, and speculation in the agricultural market. The region's agriculture has suffered substantial losses due to damage to agricultural lands, their significant mining contamination, chemical soil pollution, destruction of agricultural machinery and equipment, significant reduction in agricultural land areas and livestock numbers in the zone of active hostilities. The demographic situation has worsened due to population evacuation, increased mortality and decreased birth rates, which has led to a significant demographic imbalance in the region. An important demographic consequence of the war is the emergence of a large number of internally displaced persons, creating additional pressure on local infrastructure and social services. Military actions have caused serious damage to the infrastructure of rural areas in the Kharkiv region and significantly deteriorated the ecological condition in rural areas: large-scale fires, damage to protected areas, and environmental pollution from combat operations have led to biodiversity loss and deterioration of soil and water resources quality.

The main vectors of post-war recovery of rural areas in the Kharkiv region are outlined: restoration of critical infrastructure, ensuring basic needs of the population, demining of territories, restoration of transport connections, reconstruction of housing stock, restoration of social infrastructure, support for small businesses, stimulating population return, modernization of agriculture, diversification of rural economy, implementation of innovations in the agricultural sector, development of alternative energy, and several others.