Tragedy in Hlevakha: Indifference of Authorities and Residents' Struggle for Survival

On October 21, 2024, at 4:00 a.m., a major incident occurred in the village of Hlevakha, endangering the lives of dozens of people. A Shahed-type drone crashed into a residential building and exploded, destroying the roof and a significant part of the structure. Around 40 apartments in two sections of the panel building were damaged. Most residents had their windows shattered, interiors destroyed, and the building's concrete slabs shifted.

Evacuation of Residents: Helplessness and Prolonged Waiting

The building’s residents were evacuated at dawn and kept outside until 7:00 p.m. Representatives of the village council arrived only around 9:00 a.m., set up tables near the building, gathered information about the victims, and instructed them to make copies of their housing documents and submit claims for compensation. However, by 4:00 p.m., the officials announced the end of their workday, packed up, and left. This effectively marked the end of their support.

The Red Cross, typically associated with providing critical assistance, arrived with only thermoses of hot drinks and packets of instant noodles. What residents should do next and how to restore their homes remained unanswered questions.

Living in Ruins: Roofless Building and the First Rainfall

Residents endured a month without gas, relying temporarily on electricity. However, the first rainfall brought new challenges. Water flooded apartments and electrical panels, leading to short circuits and fires. A technician temporarily disconnected electricity on two floors. Promised temporary roof repairs were partially carried out: boards and plywood were delivered to cover the gap. However, during the next rain, the plywood gave way, leading to another short circuit and a fire in the stairwell.

On November 30, residents had to evacuate again due to repeated fires, which firefighters extinguished. The building remained without a roof, and attempts to reach local officials responsible for the repairs were futile. The deputy head of municipal utilities was dismissive, suggesting residents call emergency services themselves and responding rudely to their complaints.

Compensation: Inequity and Confusion

Residents who filed claims for compensation faced inconsistent payments. For instance, one person received 20,000 UAH for a single broken window, while another received only 6,000 UAH for two windows. The commission responsible for these decisions provided no explanations. Installation of windows provided by the GEM charity fund has been delayed for over three weeks. Compensation for window slopes was capped at a meager 3,200 UAH.

The Unresolved Roof Issue: Authorities’ Inaction

Village head Volodymyr Vasylovych Petrenko, notorious for corruption scandals, has taken no steps to address the roof problem. Deputies and representatives of the municipal housing department, who should organize repairs, repeatedly shrugged off responsibility, saying, "What can we do?" Residents are left in despair, as each new rainfall brings the risk of further fires and water damage to the apartments.

Conclusion

The tragedy in Hlevakha has exposed a series of problems related to the indifference and irresponsibility of local authorities. Victims of the explosion were left to fend for themselves, while officials merely collected paperwork and shifted blame. The building's residents are forced to rely on their own efforts and charitable organizations, as the restoration of the roof and compensation for damages remain unresolved.