When the Russian tanks massed on the Ukrainian border in February, Kharkiv was their first big target. But it never fell, and now Russian troops have been pushed back from the outskirts in a huge Ukrainian counteroffensive. Unable to take the city, Russia instead resorted to destroying parts of it.
But deep in a secret bunker under the city, the atmosphere is happy and heady. Kharkiv’s best musicians and writers are livestreaming a concert, in just one small part of Ukraine’s society-wide effort to crowdfund for its army.
