Izyum

Izyum is a city located in the Kharkiv Oblast of eastern Ukraine. It gained significant international attention when it was occupied by Russian forces during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The city became a key strategic point for Russia's advance into the Donbas region. Ukrainian forces liberated Izyum in September 2022 as part of a successful counteroffensive. Following its liberation, evidence of alleged Russian atrocities, including mass graves, was discovered in and around the city, drawing widespread condemnation. While no longer under direct occupation, Izyum remains in a region experiencing ongoing hostilities, including shelling and missile attacks from both sides of the conflict. Its proximity to the front lines means it continues to be a location of strategic importance and a site of humanitarian concern due to the lingering effects of occupation and continued fighting.