In 2022, Russia devastated Bucha, Irpin, and other towns near Kyiv. Here's an update on their current state, along with photos.

Russia began its full-scale war three years ago, specifically on February 24, 2022. In the early days, Russian forces entered the Kyiv region, causing significant destruction by demolishing homes, parks, and roads with tanks and artillery.

"Telegraph" reported on how cities near Kyiv have been restored since that time. It is important to note that as a result of military actions around the capital in February-March 2022, destruction was recorded in 46 out of 69 territorial communities in the Kyiv region. Critical damage occurred in the Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Borodyanka, Makariv, Velyka Dymerka, and Piskiv territorial communities.

As of 2024, the region has fully or partially restored nearly 17,500 facilities, ensuring their functionality. The primary focus is on restoring residential buildings and social infrastructure.

Bucha – A City of Success, Not Tragedy

On February 27, 2022. Bucha, Vokzalna Street. This was the route taken by a thirty-kilometer column of Russian military vehicles as they moved through the city towards Irpin, and from there planned to advance on Kyiv, intending to "capture it in 3 days." Initially, this column was obstructed by volunteers from Bucha, and later it was destroyed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine using a "Bayraktar" drone.

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The images from the first battle in Bucha shocked the entire world. Local residents who lived on this street were equally stunned. During the battle, they hid in basements and cellars, and when everything quieted down, not everyone could see their homes intact. Overall, Bucha was under occupation for 33 days.

In 2023, Vokzalna Street in Bucha was restored. An American non-profit organization, in collaboration with partners and local authorities, repaired the homes. Some were rebuilt from scratch. Furthermore, due to intense fighting, Russian troops destroyed much of the infrastructure: electricity poles, utilities, and road surfaces—all of which were also rebuilt by benefactors in conjunction with the city authorities.

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Recently, it was announced that the restoration of one of the buildings damaged at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion is nearing completion.

It is noted that Russian munitions hit a residential building at 17 Yablunska Street, causing significant damage. The main destruction occurred in the second and third entrances on the 7th to 9th floors. In total, 10 apartments were damaged, as well as windows, doors, staircases, and the roof. Currently, in the building:

• new windows and balconies have been installed
• a new roof has been constructed, and the facade has been insulated
• the floor of the first floor has been insulated from the basement, and the ceiling of the ninth floor has been insulated
• lightning protection has been installed
• the load-bearing walls have been reinforced with metal structures
• new monolithic ceiling slabs have been completed.

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In the damaged apartments, builders have installed interior partitions, completed floor leveling, finished laying cable routes, installed electrical panels, and laid new tiles in the bathrooms, with radiators being installed and connected to the building's system.

The sewer system in the basement has also been replaced, work has begun on replacing the water supply networks, and major repairs of the elevators in all four entrances are underway. Common areas around the building have been restored, and green zones have been fenced off.

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Local authorities have stated that they envision the future of Bucha not as a place of tragedy but as a symbol of Ukrainian success. They also noted that Bucha is now a kind of museum of war crimes.

Despite the extensive destruction, the city is gradually regaining its former appearance—a green town with beautiful infrastructure and kind people.

Bucha is being restored not only with state funds but also through donations from Ukraine's allied countries. Additionally, there are plans to build an industrial park, Bucha Techno Garden, with assistance from the Korean state company K-water.

Restoration of Irpin

Irpin is located in the suburbs of Kyiv, and at the beginning of the full-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation, it was partially occupied and became a gray zone where fighting took place. Many residents managed to evacuate on the first day, while others passed under the blown-up bridge over the Irpin River, and some remained in the city, particularly in the occupied area. They were without electricity, communication, or water and had to hide in basements while the occupiers looted their apartments. After the liberation of Irpin on March 28, 2022, various media and foreign delegations began to visit to see for themselves the aftermath of the "Russian world": death and destruction. In the first month of the full-scale invasion, 70% of Irpin's infrastructure was damaged.

The blown-up bridge over the Irpin River on February 25, 2022, halted the movement of the occupiers towards Kyiv but made it impossible for people to leave Bucha, Vorzel, and Hostomel, where fighting was ongoing.

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After Ukrainian defenders pushed the occupiers away from Kyiv, a temporary narrow embankment bridge was quickly constructed near the destroyed bridge, allowing for the transportation of goods, medicine, food, and for people to return. Simultaneously, a decision was made to build a full bridge near the destroyed section similar to the one that existed before its destruction.

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Some of the damaged houses were deemed suitable for restoration. In some, residents have already returned. Others still need preparation for re-occupation. One of the buildings that received a second life is "Titan," a famous 18-story building, one of the tallest in Irpin.

"Titan" suffered 10 direct hits. Fortunately, all residents had already evacuated by that time.

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The repair of the massive building cost 20 million hryvnias. Residents raised 2 million themselves. The rest came from local authorities, philanthropists, and simply concerned individuals who contributed donations.

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In Irpin, a significant portion of the private sector destroyed by the Russians has been restored. New homes are being built on the site opposite the residential complex "Irpen's Lypky."

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Restoration of Hostomel

One of the most affected settlements in the Kyiv region was Hostomel. More than 3,000 buildings were damaged to varying degrees during the Russian offensive.

Before the war, the Hostomel community, which also includes Horenka, Moshchun, and Ozer, had a population of about 30,000 to 35,000 people.

Residents of an apartment building funded the restoration of their damaged building facade, which was hit by Russian shelling. The building in the "Pokrovsky" residential complex, located one kilometer from the "Antonov" airfield, was damaged during the Russian occupation of the Kyiv region in the spring of 2022.

Russian soldiers entered apartments, forcing out those who had not managed to leave and stealing their belongings. When people began to return after the de-occupation of the Kyiv region, they found not only a shelled building but also broken apartment doors, dirt, and debris.

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The central stadium, which was damaged during the Russian occupation, has also been restored. The stadium received a second breath thanks to the support of the "Bayern Munich" football club and the Bavarian Industrial Association with the assistance of the Ukrainian Embassy in Germany.

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Additionally, at 67 Ostromyrska Street, a multi-apartment building that was destroyed has been restored. In the spring of 2022, the building sustained extensive damage: the roof, ceilings, load-bearing walls, partitions, and roofing were destroyed.

All engineering networks were completely disabled, rendering all 16 apartments uninhabitable. The restoration work was funded by the Fund for the Elimination of Consequences of Armed Aggression. It was fully restored by the end of 2024.

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A damaged outpatient clinic has also been restored. The building suffered damage to windows and the facade, and the interior spaces, including doctors' offices and administrative areas, were destroyed. Additionally, medical equipment was stolen.

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By the beginning of 2025, 1,950 residential houses had already been restored in Hostomel—almost two-thirds of the damaged housing in the community.

Restoration of Borodyanka

The Borodyanka Vocational Agricultural Lyceum suffered significant damage due to shelling by Russian troops, but restoration work has nearly been completed at the educational institution.

During the Russian occupation of Borodyanka, windows in the educational and laboratory buildings, as well as in the dormitory and living quarters, were significantly damaged. The Russian occupiers also damaged the stadium, sports ground, and greenhouses, completely destroying the heating