War-Torn City Rebuilds: Businesses in Kramatorsk Rise Despite Tragedy
KRAMATORSK, Ukraine – In the aftermath of a devastating Russian ballistic missile attack that killed 13 people, including staff members, and destroyed several buildings, the city of Kramatorsk in Ukraine is slowly but surely rising from the ashes. Despite the tragic loss of lives and property, many businesses in the area have chosen to reopen their doors and rebuild their livelihoods.
The bombed-out pizzeria, RIA Pizza, serves as a painful reminder of the lives lost. The owner, Dmytro Ihnatenko, expressed not only regret for the loss of property but also the irretrievable loss of human lives. However, amidst the risks and challenges, many other business owners have shown resilience by reopening their establishments in the past year.
According to the city council, Kramatorsk now boasts 50 restaurants and 228 shops, triple the number compared to the same period last year. Most of these businesses are believed to be previously existing establishments that temporarily closed when the war broke out.
Olena Ziabina, chief administrator of the White Burger restaurant in Kramatorsk, shared that the decision to reopen was driven by their conscious choice to rebuild their lives. The White Burger restaurant chain, originally operating in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, had to relocate to Kramatorsk following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Although the prices in Kramatorsk are 20% lower than in the capital, Kyiv, the restaurant is now the chain’s top performer in terms of profitability.
Despite the ongoing conflict and the city’s proximity to the front lines, Kramatorsk’s economy has adapted to the circumstances. The presence of the Ukrainian army‘s regional headquarters has attracted soldiers, journalists, and aid workers to the area. Restaurants and cafes cater primarily to this demographic, and Ukrainian women often travel to Kramatorsk to reunite with their loved ones.
While the city’s streets remain mostly empty and residents avoid crowded places, the reopening of shops and restaurants has provided much-needed work opportunities. However, for older individuals like Tetiana Podosionova, who had worked for 32 years at the now-closed Kramatorsk Machinebuilding Plant, new job opportunities are limited. Podosionova expressed her disappointment at being unable to continue working at the factory until retirement, but eventually found employment at the Amazing Fish Aquarium, which reopened months after the war began.
The reopening of businesses in Kramatorsk is not without risks, as demonstrated by Dmytro Ihnatenko’s decision not to rebuild the bombed pizzeria. Uncertainty prevails, but many business owners hold on to hope, inspired by Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive in the neighboring Kharkiv region.
In a city scarred by tragedy, the resilience of Kramatorsk’s business community shines through. By rebuilding establishments and providing employment opportunities, they are not only contributing to the city’s recovery but also demonstrating a remarkable determination to rebuild their lives despite the challenges they face.
