Stronghold by the Dam: “Our shared land and the Armed Forces of Ukraine unite us”

In recent years, the name of the Pechenihy community in the Kharkiv region has mostly appeared in news reports alongside the alarming phrase “another enemy attack.”

Picturesque spots near the reservoir, where thousands of Kharkiv residents used to enjoy resting, have now turned into a dangerous zone.

On the air of the joint project of the Kharkiv Press Club and the “Gromada Group” network “Voice of the Community” , the head of the Pechenihy region, Oleksandr Husarov, spoke candidly to journalist Oleksandr Shvets about how this frontline territory resists daily challenges, survives under shelling, and prepares for another wartime winter.

The agriculture of the Pechenihy region has found itself under targeted pressure from enemy missiles and drones. The occupiers intentionally destroy farmyards, grain hangars, and machinery.

“Just last week, two of our agricultural enterprises were almost destroyed; both missile and Shahed strikes were inflicted on them. And the enemy continues to do this. Our farmers work under the constant threat of FPV drones and 'Lancets' hovering over the fields. Agricultural producers are true heroes who, under such conditions, harvest crops and conduct the sowing campaign right now.”

Although the fields that were directly mined in 2022 have already been cleared by specialists, unexploded UAVs falling directly onto farmland remain a key danger. Threats have to be eliminated in a targeted emergency manner together with sappers.

The Pechenihy community not only holds its own defense, but also becomes a shelter for people and businesses from neighboring territories (in particular, the Kupiansk district and the Staryi Saltiv community).

“Agricultural producers from the Kupiansk district relocated to us along with their livestock. We placed them on the territory of one of our farm enterprises. We provide land plots so they can harvest hay for the cattle, and we involve them in grant projects. I thank our farmers who warmly welcomed their colleagues. They brought part of their employees with them, and they hire part from our local population.”

At the same time, the issue of housing internally displaced persons (IDPs) remains acute. According to Oleksandr Husarov, the community is looking for legal mechanisms to convert unused municipal premises into dormitories for IDPs through state programs.

Preparations for the 2026–2027 heating season are taking place in a mode of maximum resource mobilization. The lack of stable power supply and the threat of prolonged blackouts are the main challenge for civilians.

“In rural areas, resilience is higher than in cities because almost every house has alternative heating. I constantly talk with people about preparation. Many keep poultry — we look for partners who help with feed. Through charitable foundations, we attract targeted winter assistance (from 10,800 to 19,400 UAH) to buy firewood, because firewood is very expensive now. Therefore, one can truly say: every single rural house of ours is a family island of resilience.”

 

In addition, official Points of Invincibility operate in the community, and mini-centers equipped with generators, communication, the ability to charge devices, and a supply of drinking water and hot drinks have been set up in starostats.

Critical infrastructure facilities and communal enterprises are being gradually converted to solar generation and equipped with powerful diesel generators.

The security factor entirely dictates the conditions of community life.

“We were preparing one of the schools for a mixed form of learning — offline and online. But recently the security situation has worsened, so the decision was made to conduct the school year exclusively online to protect our children from harm.”

 

Regarding a possible evacuation, the head of the community noted that it is not currently on the table; however, action algorithms are fully refined: transit points are deployed, coordination with regional authorities is established, and municipal transport is prepared in case of the worst-case scenario.

Due to the war and economic destruction, the community's own budget remains modest, while spending on defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine is constantly growing. Balancing is achieved through international support.

“Over the past budget year, we attracted an additional 97.7 million UAH in assistance from international partners. This is significant support — for restoring water pipelines, critical infrastructure, and equipment. Before our partners, we must be transparent, accountable, and flexible.”

Internal mutual aid within the national project “Side by Side” (Plich-o-Plich) is also actively working.

The Pechenihy region is supported by the Kotsiubynske community of the Kyiv region, as well as communities of the Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr (Korosten) regions. They send building materials after shelling strikes and host children from the frontline zone for rehabilitation and rest.

Oleksandr Husarov has been leading the Pechenihy region for over six years — first as an elected chairman, and since late 2022 as head of the military administration. When asked about physical and mental fatigue, he answers with restraint but confidence:

“2022 was an extremely difficult year for me personally and for our community. None of us had passed the trial of war before. There is both physical and psychological fatigue, but plans have not changed: I will stay with the community until the end of the war. And after victory and a fair peace — we will see.”