As Russia’s war in Ukraine stretches into its fourth year, Ukrainian cities continue to stand strong, facing immense challenges with resilience, courage and a vision for the future.
The war has left deep scars, on streets, homes and communities. Countless Ukrainians have lost their lives, families have been torn apart, and many people have been displaced.
Yet Ukraine’s cities refuse to be defined by destruction. Instead, they prove that even under siege, life does not stop. Throughout the country, local governments are working relentlessly to maintain services, rebuild shattered infrastructure and care for their people.
From Kharkiv to Chernihiv, mayors are guiding their cities through hardship, ensuring that education continues, businesses adapt, and essential services keep running. But they are not just focused on the present; they are already laying the foundations for the future.
Across Europe, cities continue to stand with Ukraine, providing practical aid, strategic expertise and long-term cooperation. And as negotiations to end the war gather pace, city leaders from Ukraine and the rest of Europe have together stated that peace talks must involve both the government of Ukraine and the EU, to ensure an outcome that defends respect for the rule of law, fundamental rights and democratic values.
More than just enduring the war, Ukraine’s cities are shaping a future that is stronger, safer, and fully integrated into the European community. Their vision is clear: a free, democratic Ukraine, rebuilt by and for its people.
Resilience in the face of war
Despite relentless attacks, Kharkiv refuses to be broken. “Since the first day of the war, we have been an outpost of Ukraine. Every day we prove our invincibility,” says Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv.
The city has faced over 300 attacks in the past year alone, targeting homes, schools, hospitals and power supplies. Yet it is not just holding on, it is adapting. Kharkiv is developing an independent energy system, known as an ‘energy island,’ to keep critical services running even in the event of a total blackout. Across the city, heating networks are being restored, homes rebuilt, and hospitals reopened.
“Our resilience is in our unity,” says Terekhov. “In the way ordinary Kharkiv citizens help each other, in the way utility companies repair networks under fire, and in the way doctors save lives under shelling.”
We are not only rebuilding what was destroyed. We are making the community even stronger
Further west, Khmelnytskyi has become a refuge for thousands of displaced people, increasing its population by 17%, which places pressure on infrastructure, transport, and social services.
Yet, rather than buckle under the strain, the city has embraced the challenge. Local businesses have adapted, volunteers have stepped up, and new initiatives have emerged to support the growing community.
“These times are difficult, but we stand together, knowing that our collective efforts bring us closer to victory,” says Oleksandr Symchyshyn, Mayor of Khmelnytskyi.
Similarly, in Poltava, where missile strikes have hit residential areas, the local community has mobilised to provide immediate relief and long-term recovery. Volunteers, utility workers and doctors work around the clock to repair damage and support affected families.
“We are not only rebuilding what was destroyed. We are making the community even stronger,” states Valeriy Parkhomenko, First Deputy Mayor of Poltava. “Our greatest desire is for our city to be calm again, for children to be able to play on the streets without fear, for people to live in their homes, not afraid of enemy attacks.”
A network of European city support
Ukraine’s cities are not alone in their struggle. Across Europe, cities have stepped up, forming partnerships, providing resources and offering long-term expertise and strategic support to help their Ukrainian counterparts survive today and prepare for tomorrow.
Kharkiv has received vital assistance from its twin cities across Europe. Nuremberg has provided generators to keep the power running, while Warsaw has helped with metro renewal. The Czech city of Brno has donated public transport vehicles to keep the city moving.
The City of Strasbourg does not have a formalised partnership with a Ukrainian city, but has implemented many actions in solidarity with Ukraine. Last year, Strasbourg, alongside regional and German partners, co-organised a respite stay for 40 middle school students from Kharkiv, offering them relief from the hardships of war. Strasbourg has also provided funding for renewable energy projects in Ukraine, including hybrid electricity solutions for public facilities in Kharkiv.
Oslo extended significant assistance to Lviv, particularly funding St Nicholas Children’s Hospital to expand its capacity. Tallinn has worked with Vinnytsia to develop circular economy policies and improve waste management systems.
This solidarity is more than just practical help - it is a sign that we are already part of the European family
Chernihiv, which has signed six new twinning agreements since 2022, has benefited from direct city-to-city support, with Rzeszow, Aachen, and Lappeenranta donating everything from public transport to modular housing for displaced families.
“This solidarity is more than just practical help – it is a sign that we are already part of the European family,” says Nataliia Kholchenkova, Head of International Relations and Investments Department of Chernihiv City Council.
Beyond material aid, these partnerships offer Ukrainian cities access to invaluable knowledge, expertise, and training. European cities have hosted educational exchanges for Ukrainian youth, ensuring that the next generation gains the skills to rebuild their country.
À Vilnius, Dublin, Prague, Helsinki, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhague, Stockholm, Londres, Bruxelles, Washington, Chicago, Ottawa, etc., etc., people : #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦#Ukraine 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/g579fuhNiu
— StandWithUkraine (@UkraineStand) February 24, 2025
Building the future now
Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine’s cities are not waiting for the war to end to begin their reconstruction. Across the country, local leaders are restoring infrastructure, rethinking urban planning and laying the groundwork for a sustainable future.
In Zhytomyr, despite the constant threat of missile attacks, the city is considering its energy efficiency and green infrastructure. Strategic plans for post-war development include modernising public services, adopting European best practices in urban planning, and ensuring sustainable growth.
“While we rebuild what was lost, we also look to the future,” says Ilona Kolodii, Head of the Department of Culture in Zhytomyr. “We want to ensure that our city does not just recover but becomes stronger, more sustainable, and more integrated with Europe.”
Vinnytsia is also looking ahead, working to modernise its urban mobility systems and improve infrastructure resilience. The city’s partnerships with Kielce, Karlsruhe, and Nancy are helping introduce innovative transport solutions, making public transport more sustainable and accessible.
“Our resilience lies in our people. We have a strong community with many active and caring people,” says Serhii Morhunov, Mayor of Vinnytsia. “Our future after the war is our development and European integration. We want to modernise the city, restore the economy, and integrate into the European community.”
Our future after the war is our development and European integration
Meanwhile, Chernihiv, which was nearly destroyed in 2022, has rapidly rebuilt schools, hospitals, and homes with an emphasis on energy efficiency and climate adaptation.
“We call Chernihiv the City of Heroes. The war made us united and strong,” says Nataliia Kholchenkova. “Despite the ongoing war, we continue to develop our communities and step by step confidently move towards European integration.”
And in Kharkiv, city leaders are integrating long-term resilience strategies. Beyond emergency repairs, plans include underground public spaces that can function as both educational and civic hubs while protecting residents from future attacks.
🇪🇺🇺🇦 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
On the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the @EUCouncil building in Brussels is illuminated in blue and yellow. #StandWithUkraine #Poland25eu pic.twitter.com/xwUTSYVyyx
— Polish presidency of the Council of the EU (@POLAND25EU) February 23, 2025
A future built on resilience
Despite daily hardships, Ukrainian cities are demonstrating a will to recover, adapt and build a future that is modern, secure and European. With each reconstructed school, each new city partnership, and each innovative solution, they are proving that their resilience is stronger than war.
Their European counterparts are not just offering short-term relief but investing in Ukraine’s long-term recovery, ensuring that cities emerge from the conflict stronger than before.
Ukraine’s cities are not just surviving - they are standing strong
From its side, Eurocities is coordinating the SUN4Ukraine initiative of the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission which is supporting Ukrainian cities in developing their climate neutral recovery strategies, paving the way for sustainable and resilient urban development.
As André Sobczak, Eurocities Secretary General, states: “Ukraine’s cities are not just surviving, they are standing strong. Even under attack, they sustain daily life and plan for the future: modern, safe, and part of the European community.”
Ukraine’s cities are already shaping that future, one built on strength, solidarity and an unyielding belief in what lies ahead.
