Russia's Ongoing Intrusion into Ukraine Leaves One Farmer Mourning His Territory

In Husarivka, Kharkiv Oblast, the once thriving dairy farm owned by Anatoly Isichenko now resembles a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. The farm, an economic staple of the region, has been ravaged by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Isichenko's farm, which employed up to 240 local civilians and boasted 2,500 cows producing over 3,000 tons of milk annually, was seized by Russian troops less than a week into the invasion in March 2022. The war has left a devastating impact on the farm, with only 23 cows remaining, half of which no longer produce milk.

The farm now houses goat kids, chickens, and a couple of dozen calves. Repairing the damaged equipment will be costly for Isichenko, adding to the financial strain he already faces.

Under the Soviet Union, the farm, like many others, was controlled by the state, making it difficult for farmers to earn a significant living off their land. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the World Bank and other Western international organizations assisted Ukraine in rebuilding and modernizing its agricultural economy. They provided financial aid, technical expertise, and support for agricultural reforms to help transition from collective farming to a market-oriented agricultural sector.

However, Ukraine's poorly organized transition led to hyperinflation and an unusually steep production decline for a country not experiencing a major war. By 1994, Ukraine's gross domestic product (GDP) had been halved from 1990 levels, and it continued to drop throughout the decade.

The war in Ukraine has caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, with nearly $138 billion worth of damage reported by December 2022. The agricultural industry has been hit particularly hard, with damages estimated at $6.6 billion.

The farm's workers have not been spared from the horrors of war. Three prisoners escaped their jail after a Russian soldier was injured. Russian soldiers arrested and threatened to execute farm workers, with one worker, Sergiy Vorobyov, arrested for smoking cigarettes and believed he was going to be executed. Sasha, a 21-year-old farm worker, managed to escape execution and run through a river to a nearby town.

Six farm workers were arrested by Russian soldiers, put into a cellar for execution, and were later discovered incinerated after liberation. The emotional toll of the war is palpable, with Isichenko and his community stating that "it is not over yet."

Isichenko struggles to afford staff and is uncertain how long he will be able to continue operating his farm due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The farm, which once contributed significantly to the local economy, now stands as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war.