© 2025 Eastern Blog / Stefan Schandera. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Kharkiv, December 2023
December 2023
Winter in Kharkiv, Ukraine 2023
In December 2023, I spent a few days in Kharkiv, a city that never ceases to inspire me. The trip came about thanks to an invitation from the Kharkiv IT Association, where I had the chance to attend their Annual General Meeting. Together, we also hosted a workshop on the challenges of early-stage financing for tech companies by business angels. Not exactly a light topic in these turbulent times! Yet Kharkiv, a frontier city enduring constant attacks, continues to demonstrate incredible resilience, creativity, and determination to move forward.
This was my second visit to Kharkiv during the war. More than two decades ago, I spent a few snowy months here as a language student, learning Russian at university. Visiting again in winter, with snow covering the city, brought back an unexpected sense of homecoming. Less than 100 meters from the apartment building where I once lived, a bomb destroyed two residential buildings entirely. Despite the vastly different circumstances, the spirit of Kharkiv and its people remains as unyielding as ever, refusing to give in even in the face of unimaginable hardship.
This was my second visit to Kharkiv during the war. More than two decades ago, I spent a few snowy months here as a language student, learning Russian at university. Visiting again in winter, with snow covering the city, brought back an unexpected sense of homecoming. Less than 100 meters from the apartment building where I once lived, a bomb destroyed two residential buildings entirely. Despite the vastly different circumstances, the spirit of Kharkiv and its people remains as unyielding as ever, refusing to give in even in the face of unimaginable hardship.
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Images are published only with consent or in contexts where public interest justifies their use. However, it is possible that rights or standards in certain countries could inadvertently be violated, as I may not be fully aware of all laws and standards applicable worldwide.
The photographed individuals were asked for permission if they were at the center of the shot. If they were members of the military or police, they were blurred. For recordings of public events, the right to photograph in public spaces applies. This also applies to military parades or parades involving the military or security forces. Military facilities or critical infrastructure were blurred. Objects or areas marked with a prohibition on photography or video recording were not captured.
If you believe any content violates ethical standards or personal rights or any other right, please contact me with a detailed description of your concern. I take such matters seriously and will address them promptly.
© 2025 Eastern Blog / Stefan Schandera. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.