War in Ukraine: Reconstruction progress in Chernihiv region and key factors delaying recovery efforts

The special issue of the Urban Reconstruction and Development Program on Espreso reported the information.

Thousands of educational institutions across Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of Russian attacks. Among them is a kindergarten in the village of Honcharivske, Chernihiv region. In March 2022, Russian troops targeted it with an Uragan multiple launch rocket system.

“The right and left wings and the main entrance were damaged. Windows were blown out, and the roof was completely destroyed. Our kindergarten suffered significant damage,” Inna Makarenko, a specialist in the education department of the Honcharivske village council, told reporters.

Honcharivske is a military village. Most of the children living here are children of military personnel. A Russian shell deprived these kids of a normal childhood.

“This kindergarten is, first of all, a mainstay for our community. Secondly, it is the largest pre-school education institution in our village. Before the full-scale war, it had 110 children. It also provided transportation from other villages in our community,” said Inna Makarenko.

Last year, the kindergarten was included in the state program for the restoration of facilities affected by Russian aggression.

Alina Kolomiets, spokesperson for the Chernihiv Region Recovery Service, informed reporters that the scope of work at this site is extensive, as the premises cover 2,500 square meters. This includes the first, second, and basement floors, where a dual-purpose shelter, approximately 1,000 square meters in size, is planned. All communications in the kindergarten, such as electricity, sewage, and ventilation, will be completely replaced. Additionally, specialists will focus on landscaping the surrounding area.

The declared cost of the work was UAH 86 million, but the contractor agreed to a reduced amount of UAH 79 million.

"The basement needs to be dug out. There is still a lot of work to be done. We need to keep working. However, there is a shortage of staff—no workers, no craftsmen. Most of the guys are serving in the military," contractor Volodymyr Tytarenko told Espreso.

Despite the labor shortage, the kindergarten is expected to be rebuilt by the end of this year.

Alina Kolomiets, spokesperson for the Regional Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service, provided further details about the reconstruction efforts in the Chernihiv region during an interview with Espreso.

The progress of restoration work and the main obstacle to reconstruction

According to Alina Kolomiets, the Chernihiv region has suffered significant infrastructure damage, with over 20 bridges destroyed due to the Russian invasion. Housing in both Chernihiv city and nearby villages has been heavily affected.

The Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service is currently overseeing the reconstruction of the village of Yahidne, where about 100 facilities are being repaired. Additionally, two key social infrastructure projects are underway: a kindergarten in the village of Honcharivske and a lyceum canteen in the village of Ivanivka.

The canteen in Ivanivka was damaged during the defense of Chernihiv, with its roof and walls destroyed and windows shattered. Kolomiets highlighted that the canteen is not being rebuilt based on its old design but is being reconstructed with significant improvements. The new facility will be three times larger than the original, and it will be equipped with modern technical facilities, adhering to sanitary standards. Inclusivity is also a priority in the new design.

"The building has already been erected, the electricity is being installed, and the facade has been completed and is now being painted," said the spokesperson for the Recovery Service.

However, the situation with the reconstruction of Yahidne is more complicated.

"Yahidne is a pilot government project for the comprehensive reconstruction of settlements affected by Russian aggression. Last year, a resolution was passed to rebuild it. In the fall, tender procedures were held, certain contracts were signed, and by late fall, contractors had begun work. Unfortunately, the reconstruction of Yahidne village has been suspended due to a lack of funding," explained Alina Kolomiets.

According to her, the contractors have completed about 30% of the work to restore the housing stock.

The official expressed hope that the necessary funds would soon be allocated from the state budget to continue the reconstruction of Yahidne.

“We understand that for the second year after the de-occupation, people have been living in inadequate conditions. Of course, social tension is growing. We hope that this issue will be resolved as soon as possible,” she added.

In response to a clarifying question from the host about what is meant by “inadequate conditions,” Alina Kolomiets noted that one local resident still lives in a shed near her destroyed house after the de-occupation of the village.

In terms of funding, the preliminary estimate of post-de-occupation reconstruction work was about UAH 400 million. The contractors have already completed a third of the reconstruction work. Social infrastructure facilities are next in line.

Other difficulties during reconstruction

When asked about the challenges the Recovery Service faces during reconstruction, Alina Kolomiets highlighted the severe labor shortage, which is impacting the timeline for the work. The repair of the canteen in Ivanivka is expected to be completed by the end of the year, while reconstruction in Honcharivske may extend into next year, despite the contractor's agreement to finish by the end of 2024.

“There is a catastrophic shortage of construction personnel. A contractor from Kyiv is working on both of these sites. There have even been instances where workers, on their way to the job, were issued summonses at checkpoints and are now serving in the Armed Forces,” Kolomiets explained.

When asked whether women could step in to fill the gap in labor, Kolomiets responded: “We have no objections. It all depends on the contracting companies and whether women are interested in working on construction sites.”

According to the official, the repair work is not affected by power outages. There is also no shortage of construction materials.

“We have an agreement with the contractor. When it starts working, it has to bring construction materials for these works. The contractor has purchased the materials, they are available, but there are not enough hands,” she noted.

Repairing roads and bridges

Alina Kolomiets noted that the military prohibits reporting on progress in bridge construction for national security reasons.

“But I can say that the work is underway. When the region was de-occupied, more than 20 bridges were destroyed, including large overpasses over the Desna River. Today, we have provided access to most locations. There are either rebuilt bridges or temporary detours, or these are locations where work is still underway,” the official said.

Transport logistics is essential for the defense of the state and improves the quality of life of citizens, so the restoration of transport infrastructure cannot be postponed, added Alina Kolomiets.