Ukrainian Flag Flies at Russian Border: A Report on the Kharkiv Resistance

In this blog post, we will look at the latest developments in the war, focusing on the situation in the Kharkiv region, where Ukrainian forces have made a symbolic gesture of defiance against the Russian invaders.

Kharkiv: A strategic and symbolic region

Kharkiv is the second-largest city in Ukraine, and the capital of the Kharkiv region, which borders Russia. The region has a population of about 2.7 million people, of whom about 26% are ethnic Russians. The region is also home to many industrial and scientific enterprises, as well as cultural and historical landmarks.

Kharkiv was one of the first targets of the Russian invasion. Russian forces quickly seized control of the city and the surrounding areas, cutting off the region from the rest of Ukraine. The Ukrainian government declared Kharkiv a “temporarily occupied territory” and vowed to liberate it.

Since then, the Kharkiv region has been the scene of fierce fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces, as well as local resistance groups. The Ukrainian army has launched several counter-offensives to regain control of the region, but has faced strong resistance from the Russian troops, who have superior firepower and air support.

The Ukrainian forces have also faced challenges from some of the local population, who have been influenced by Russian propaganda and misinformation. Some of the ethnic Russians in the region have supported the Russian invasion, seeing it as a protection of their rights and interests. Others have been coerced or bribed by the Russian authorities, who have imposed a harsh regime of martial law and censorship in the occupied areas.

However, not all of the Kharkiv residents have welcomed the Russian occupation. Many of them have remained loyal to Ukraine and have resisted the Russian aggression in various ways. Some have joined the Ukrainian army or the volunteer battalions, while others have formed underground networks of activists, journalists, and human rights defenders. They have organized protests, strikes, and sabotage actions, as well as provided humanitarian aid and information to the people in need.

One of the most prominent examples of the Kharkiv resistance is the Kharkiv Patriots, a group of young men and women who have been conducting guerrilla warfare against the Russian forces. The group was founded by Oleksandr Zakharchenko, a former student and football fan, who decided to take up arms after witnessing the Russian atrocities in his hometown. The group has claimed responsibility for several attacks on Russian military and administrative targets, as well as for rescuing Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians.

The Kharkiv Patriots have also been involved in the recent operation to raise the Ukrainian flag at the Budarka border crossing, which was carried out by a joint unit of the Ukrainian army and the volunteer battalions. The operation was aimed at showing the world that Kharkiv is still part of Ukraine, and that the Ukrainian forces are determined to fight for its liberation.

The Budarka border crossing: A daring and dangerous mission

The Budarka border crossing is located in the northern part of the Kharkiv region, near the town of Izium. It is one of the main checkpoints between Ukraine and Russia, and a vital transport and trade route. The crossing was closed by the Russian forces shortly after the invasion, and has been under their control ever since.

The Ukrainian forces decided to launch an operation to capture the crossing and raise the Ukrainian flag there, as a way of demonstrating their presence and strength in the region. The operation was planned and executed by a joint unit of the Ukrainian army and the volunteer battalions, with the support of the Kharkiv Patriots.

The operation began on November 26, 2023, when a group of about 50 Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers crossed the Dnipro river in small boats, under the cover of darkness. They managed to avoid the Russian patrols and mines, and reached the eastern bank of the river, where they set up a temporary base.

The next day, the group split into two teams: one to attack the crossing from the south, and the other to attack it from the north. The teams used motorcycles, quad bikes, and bicycles to move quickly and quietly through the fields and forests, avoiding the main roads and bridges. They also used drones and radios to communicate and coordinate their movements.

The attack began at dawn, when the teams launched a surprise assault on the crossing, using rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns, and sniper rifles. The Russian forces, who were caught off guard, tried to resist, but were soon overwhelmed by the Ukrainian fire. The Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers then stormed the crossing, killing or capturing the remaining Russian defenders.

The Ukrainian forces then raised a large Ukrainian flag on the crossing, and sang the national anthem. They also took pictures and videos of their victory, and sent them to the media and the internet. The operation lasted for about an hour, after which the Ukrainian forces withdrew from the crossing, leaving behind the flag and a sign that read: “Kharkiv is Ukraine”.

The operation was a success, as it achieved its main objectives: to show the world that Kharkiv is still part of Ukraine, and to boost the morale of the Ukrainian forces and the local population. The operation also inflicted casualties and damage on the Russian forces, and disrupted their supply and communication lines.

However, the operation was also risky and costly, as it exposed the Ukrainian forces to the Russian retaliation. The Russian forces, who were enraged by the Ukrainian provocation, launched a massive counter-attack on the crossing, using artillery, tanks, and jets. The Ukrainian flag was soon destroyed by the Russian fire, and the crossing was reclaimed by the Russian forces.

The Ukrainian forces also suffered losses during the operation, as some of them were killed or wounded by the Russian fire or the mines. Among the casualties was Oleksandr Zakharchenko, the leader of the Kharkiv Patriots, who was fatally wounded by a sniper bullet while raising the flag. He died in the arms of his comrades, who carried his body back to the base.

Zakharchenko was hailed as a hero by the Ukrainian authorities and the public, who praised his courage and dedication to the cause of Ukraine’s freedom and sovereignty. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, the highest military honour in Ukraine. He was also mourned by his family and friends, who remembered him as a kind and cheerful person, who loved football, music, and his girlfriend.

The operation at the Budarka border crossing was one of the most daring and dangerous missions of the war, and one of the most symbolic and inspiring acts of resistance. It showed that the Ukrainian forces are not giving up on Kharkiv, and that they are ready to fight for every inch of their homeland. It also showed that the Kharkiv people are not afraid of the Russian occupation, and that they are proud of their Ukrainian identity and heritage.