Russian atrocities in Borodianka. How it all happened

Chronology of events

Borodianka was the main route for the Russian occupiers' offensive on Kyiv after the large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

On February 26, 2022, Russian armored vehicles appeared on the outskirts of the town. This is where the fighting between Russian troops and Ukrainian troops and police began. Six people died that day.

photo: Reuters

On February 27, a large Russian convoy of armored vehicles drove up the ring road of Borodianka. It was in that place that Ukrainian defenders found it most difficult to remain unnoticed. The next convoy of soldiers from Buryatia drove down Central Street. But Ukrainian defenders were already waiting for it in ambush.

photo: Getty Images

On February 28, another convoy of Russian vehicles entered Borodianka. On that day, the Russian occupiers fired at civilian homes with artillery and machine guns.

photo: Getty Images

On March 1 and 2, Russian aircraft flew over Borodianka. The aircraft bombed high-rise buildings where civilians lived. According to inaccurate estimates, more than forty people died that day.

On March 5, Borodianka was already under the control of the Russian occupiers, despite the fighting in its vicinity.

On March 12, Russian troops finally made "zachistka" in the town. (Zachistka is an unofficial Russian military term for "building clearing operations" featuring armed patrols and house-to-house searches - ed.)

photo: Getty mages

On April 1, Borodianka returned to Ukrainian control.

Victims in Borodianka

More than forty residents of Borodianka were found under the rubble of their destroyed houses. People were burying their relatives or neighbors in their yards and gardens.

On May 6, 2022, local police reported that after the occupation, more than 300 bodies of Borodianka residents were found in unauthorized graves (85% of which showed signs of violent death) and more than forty bodies were found under the rubble of houses.

The body of a victim under the rubble in Borodianka, photo: Getty Images

The exact number of people killed in Borodianka is still unknown. There are people who are still listed as missing.

More than 300 dogs died of hunger and thirst in the Borodianka shelter.

Banksy

In November 2022, the world-famous artist Banksy secretly arrived in Borodianka. Banksy left several graffiti on the destroyed houses. They are mostly dedicated to children who suffered from the brutal Russian invasion.

Banksy graffiti in Borodianka, photo: Getty Images