UKRAINE: The War in Ukraine and the Occupied Areas

This week, I want to take a closer look at the war in Ukraine, with a particular focus on the occupied territories. The situation in these areas remains deeply concerning, and it is important that we continue to talk about it. The war has now lasted for more than a decade since Russia’s initial intervention in 2014, and there is always a risk that people outside the region begin to look away. That must not happen.

In this post, I will look at which areas are occupied, how civilians are reportedly being treated, and why the future of these regions remains central to any discussion of peace.

UKRAINE’S OCCUPIED AREAS

Russia currently controls roughly one-fifth of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. This includes most or all of Crimea, large parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and occupied areas in the south, including parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Cities such as Mariupol have also been under Russian control since earlier stages of the full-scale invasion.

Life in these occupied regions is reported to be extremely difficult for many civilians. Human rights groups, journalists, and international organizations have documented allegations of arbitrary detention, forced disappearances, coercive interrogations, and torture in some areas.

Residents have also faced pressure to accept Russian passports and administrative systems in order to maintain access to work, pensions, healthcare, and other essential services.

One of the most serious concerns involves children. International observers and Ukrainian authorities have raised alarms about the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-controlled areas, as well as the use of education systems and youth programs to promote pro-Russian narratives.

HOW CIVILIANS ARE LIVING UNDER OCCUPATION

For many Ukrainians living under occupation, daily life is shaped by fear, uncertainty, and limited freedom.

In some areas, civilians reportedly face screening or “filtration” procedures when moving between zones or attempting to leave. These processes have been linked in multiple reports to interrogations, intimidation, and, in some cases, physical abuse. Families have also described people being detained without clear legal process.

Access to basic services can be severely restricted. Healthcare, food supplies, medicines, and humanitarian assistance are often harder to obtain, especially in heavily damaged areas or places close to the front line.

Housing is another major issue. There have been widespread reports of property seizures, forced transfers of ownership, and homes being labeled “abandoned” if residents fled fighting. Critics say this risks permanently reshaping the demographics of occupied regions and making return more difficult for displaced Ukrainians.

Although some cities, including Mariupol, have seen reconstruction efforts, many communities remain heavily damaged, with broken infrastructure, disrupted utilities, and long-term economic hardship.

RESISTANCE INSIDE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Despite the risks, there are still Ukrainians living in occupied territories who continue to resist. Some of these individuals are involved in partisan activities aimed at undermining Russian control.

These groups may gather intelligence, report troop movements to Ukrainian forces, or carry out acts of sabotage. Their actions can play a role in supporting Ukraine’s broader military efforts.

However, this kind of resistance is extremely dangerous. If discovered, those involved could face severe punishment, including imprisonment or death. Even so, these individuals continue their efforts, driven by a sense of duty and resistance.

Their actions highlight the ongoing struggle within the occupied territories and demonstrate that, even under difficult conditions, opposition to the occupation remains.

SHOULD UKRAINE GIVE UP LAND FOR PEACE?

One of the most difficult questions in debates about ending the war is whether Ukraine should accept territorial concessions in exchange for peace.

Ukraine has consistently rejected this idea, arguing that its occupied territories are an inseparable part of the country and that millions of Ukrainians have either been displaced from these regions or still live there under occupation.

Supporters of Ukraine’s position argue that territorial concessions would not guarantee lasting peace. Instead, they could reward military aggression, leave civilians exposed to continued repression, and create conditions for future instability.

There is also the question of legitimacy. Any lasting settlement involving territory should reflect the will of the people who live there. But under military occupation, fair democratic processes are not realistically possible.

For many Ukrainians, the issue is not only geopolitical but deeply personal: it concerns homes, communities, safety, and the right to live free from coercion.

CONCLUSION

Ukraine continues to fight for its sovereignty while millions of people remain affected by war, displacement, and occupation.

The situation in occupied territories deserves sustained international attention — not only because of the military conflict, but because of the human cost borne by civilians living under occupation.

As discussions about peace continue, it is important that the rights, safety, and dignity of the people most affected remain at the center of the conversation. Lasting peace should not come at the expense of justice or human dignity.

References:  

• US Government: Ukraine Russia-Occupied Areas 2024 Human Rights Report
• CEPA: Behind the Lines - Ukraine’s Temporarily Occupied Territories
• Freedom House: Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine
• Associated Press: A rare portrait of life in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine captures fears around housing, water, power, heat and health care
• Government of Netherlands: Life under Russian occupation: ‘Being Ukrainian – or even talking about Ukraine – puts your life at risk’