‘Grave’ situation in Ukraine’s second-largest city. What to know about Kharkiv

Russian military forces have now surrounded Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, as intense shelling continues, city officials say.

Rocket strikes killed at least 11 people and wounded at least 35, Interior Ministry adviser Anton Herashchenko told USA Today.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov told The Washington Post on Tuesday, March 1, that the city remains under Ukrainian control but is now surrounded by Russian forces.

The Russian attacks on Kharkiv began Sunday, Feb. 27. One woman described the shelling as “something like ’Star Wars’ above your head,” BBC News reported.

Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on three fronts early Thursday, Feb. 24, “bombarding cities, towns and villages” as forces advanced toward the capital of Kyiv.

“We are not putting down arms,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday, Feb. 26. “We will be defending our country, because our weapon is truth, and our truth is that this is our land, our country, our children, and we will defend all of this.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that his military forces are protecting citizens in eastern Ukraine who want to rejoin Russia, BBC News reported. Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden have rejected those claims.

“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering,” Biden said in a statement announcing additional sanctions against Russia.

Ukrainian forces are putting up a “very determined resistance,” particularly in Kyiv, which is under heavy Russian attack by artillery and cruise missiles, Reuters reported.

Ukraine, the second-largest nation in Europe by land mass, was part of the former USSR until it declared independence in 1991. It is not a NATO member.

Here’s what you need to know about Kharkiv:

How big is Kharkiv?

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has a population of 1.4 million, according to the Encyclopedia of Ukraine.

The city covers about 115 square miles and is divided into nine districts.

Where is Kharkiv?

Kharkiv is located at the confluence of the Lopan, Udy and Kharkiv rivers near the Donets Basin, according to the Encyclopedia of Ukraine.

It is only 26 miles from the Russian border, making Kharkiv extremely vulnerable in the invasion of Ukraine, NewsNation reported.

What is the history of Kharkiv?

Founded in 1655 as a military outpost to defend Russa’s southern boundaries, Kharkiv’s key trading position and fertile soil led the city to expand rapidly in the 18th century, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

Kharkiv was the capital of Ukraine under Soviet control from 1920 to 1934, before the capital was moved to Kyiv. The city suffered greatly in World War II, changing hands between the USSR and Nazi Germany several times.

Kharkiv, spelled Kharkov in Russian, is pronounced CAR-kuff, according to Merriam Webster.

What is Kharkiv known for?

The city remains one of Ukraine’s key transportation hubs and is “an exceptionally beautiful city and a major industrial, scientific and cultural centre,” Eurocities reported.

Kharkiv contains more than 60 universities and colleges, according to the site.

It’s also a top producer of machinery and electronics, including “diesel locomotives, machine tools, mining machinery, tractors and other agricultural machinery, bicycles, generators, steam turbines, and many electrical items,” Encyclopedia Brittanica said.

Freedom Square in Kharkiv is one of the largest public plazas in the world, according to Discover Ukraine. It was built shortly after Ukraine became part of the former USSR.

Why is Russia attacking Kharkiv?

Along with its proximity to the Russian border and strategic importance as a transportation hub, Kharkiv has strong cultural ties to Russia, NewsNation reported.

The majority of Kharkiv’s population speaks Russian, and many people travel back and forth between the countries for commerce or to visit family. But that doesn’t mean the city favors Russia in the current conflict.

“If you ask me if Kharkiv citizens want Ukraine to be friends with Russia, the answer is definitely yes,” Mayor Ihor Terekhov said, NewsNation reported. “But do they want war? Definitely not. Do they want for us to be a piece of Russia? Of course not.”

This story was originally published February 27, 2022 at 7:12 AM with the headline "‘Grave’ situation in Ukraine’s second-largest city. What to know about Kharkiv."