Ukraine: Kharkiv resilient as it faces the threat of a Russian invasion

An old Soviet T-34 tank covered in snow sits on display outside the MF Sumtsov history museum in downtown Kharkiv on January 27, 2022. © Mehdi Chebil

The northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has drawn international attention since the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, signalled the threat of a Russian occupation of the city last week. For their part, local residents criticised the Ukrainian leader's remarks; they say they are more fearful that destabilisation operations could intensify. FRANCE 24 travelled to Kharkiv to learn more.

The morning ritual at Alekseevka primary school in Kharkiv looks much like any other the world over. Except perhaps that, in the bitter chill of -10°C, the usual buggies give way to luges and mini-sleds in conveying the youngest children to school along icy roads.