Life Is Harsh and Dangerous in Russian-Run Parts of Ukraine, Activists and Former Residents Say

Living Under Occupation

Residents and activists say daily life in Russian-controlled parts of eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult and uncertain. Since Russian forces took control of several regions following the 2022 invasion, local communities have faced new authorities, shifting rules and strict security measures.

People who have left these areas describe an environment shaped by checkpoints, surveillance and limited access to independent information. Many say they made the decision to leave after weighing safety concerns against the challenge of starting over elsewhere.

Russian officials have said they are restoring order and rebuilding infrastructure in territories under their control. However, accounts from activists and former residents present a different picture.


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Pressure to Accept New Authority

Several former residents from parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions say they faced pressure to accept Russian documentation and administrative systems. In some areas, residents were encouraged or required to obtain Russian passports in order to access public services or employment.

Activists report that refusing to cooperate with new authorities could result in job loss or closer scrutiny. Local administrations were reorganized, and Ukrainian symbols were replaced with Russian ones.

Moscow has described these changes as part of integrating the territories into Russia. Ukraine and most Western governments reject Russia’s claim to the regions and consider them temporarily occupied.


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Security Concerns and Arrests

Human rights groups have raised concerns about arbitrary detentions and limited legal protections in occupied areas. Former residents say that people suspected of supporting Ukraine’s government or military faced questioning or detention.

In some cases, family members reported not knowing where detainees were being held. Independent verification is often difficult because access to the regions is restricted.

Russian authorities have denied widespread abuses and say they are targeting individuals involved in sabotage or violence. The lack of independent monitoring, however, has fueled ongoing concerns among international observers.


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Limited Access to Information

Activists say that independent Ukrainian media outlets are largely unavailable in occupied territories. Television and radio broadcasts are often replaced with Russian programming.

Internet access can be restricted or rerouted through Russian providers. Some residents rely on virtual private networks to access Ukrainian or international news, though doing so may carry risks.

Former residents say that access to diverse information sources became more limited over time, contributing to a sense of isolation.


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Economic Strain

Economic conditions have also changed in Russian-controlled regions. While some infrastructure repairs have been reported, many businesses closed or relocated after the invasion.

Residents who left the areas say job opportunities declined, especially for those unwilling to work with new authorities. In some towns, cash shortages and disruptions to banking systems created additional challenges.

Russia has announced plans to invest in reconstruction and has reported improvements in certain sectors. However, the broader economic picture remains uneven, according to accounts from those who have departed.


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Education and Curriculum Changes

Schools in occupied territories have undergone administrative and curriculum shifts. Teachers have reportedly been asked to follow Russian educational standards.

Some educators chose to leave rather than adopt new teaching materials. Parents have described difficult choices about whether to keep children in local schools or seek alternatives outside the region.

Education has become a sensitive issue, with both sides viewing it as central to identity and long-term political alignment.


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Healthcare Access

Access to healthcare has been another concern. While some hospitals continue to operate, activists say medical supply shortages and staff departures have affected services in certain areas.

Former residents describe traveling long distances for specialized care or relying on informal networks to obtain medications.

Russian officials have said they are integrating regional healthcare systems into Russia’s structure and supplying facilities with necessary resources.


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Movement and Checkpoints

Travel within and between occupied areas can involve multiple checkpoints. Residents report that documentation checks are common and that crossing into Ukrainian-controlled territory can be difficult.

For those seeking to leave, routes may involve long waits and security screenings. Humanitarian organizations have assisted some civilians in relocating, but movement remains complex.

Families separated by front lines often rely on phone calls or messaging apps to stay connected.


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Fear and Uncertainty

Former residents frequently mention uncertainty as a defining feature of life under occupation. Rules can change quickly, and public gatherings may be restricted.

Some say they avoided discussing politics openly, even with neighbors, out of concern that comments could be reported.

Psychologists who work with displaced Ukrainians note that prolonged stress can affect mental health, especially for children and older adults.


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International Response

The international community has largely condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The United Nations General Assembly has passed resolutions affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Human rights organizations continue to call for access to occupied areas to investigate allegations of abuses.

Russia maintains that residents in these regions voted in referendums to join Russia, though Ukraine and many countries consider those votes invalid because they were held during military occupation.


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Life for Those Who Left

For Ukrainians who left occupied territories, relocation has brought new challenges. Many moved to western Ukraine or neighboring European countries.

Displaced residents face housing costs, employment searches and adapting to new communities. Some hope to return if conditions change, while others are uncertain about their long-term plans.

Aid organizations provide support ranging from financial assistance to counseling services. Even so, starting over can be difficult.


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Voices of Activists

Ukrainian activists working inside and outside occupied areas say they try to document events and support affected families. Communication is often cautious due to safety concerns.

Some activists operate anonymously online to share updates about local conditions. They say international attention remains important to ensure accountability.

Russian officials have criticized such reports as biased or politically motivated.


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The Broader Context of the War

The situation in occupied territories reflects the larger conflict that began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Fighting continues along extended front lines.

Peace negotiations have been limited, and both sides have stated firm positions regarding territorial control.

Civilians in affected regions remain caught between military developments and political decisions beyond their control.


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Looking Ahead

The future of Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine remains uncertain. Military dynamics, diplomatic efforts and international pressure will shape what comes next.

For now, activists and former residents say daily life is marked by restrictions and concern about safety. Russian authorities continue to assert that conditions are improving and that integration efforts are underway.

Independent verification remains challenging, leaving much of the situation documented through personal testimony and limited reporting access.

As the conflict continues, the experiences of civilians in these territories highlight the human dimension of geopolitical disputes. Regardless of political claims, ordinary people face practical questions about security, livelihoods and family ties.

The long-term resolution of the conflict will determine whether displaced residents can return and how communities rebuild. Until then, life in these regions remains shaped by uncertainty and competing narratives.