Yahidne, a village in the Chernihiv district, is one of the participants in an experimental project for the comprehensive reconstruction of localities affected by Russian aggression.

In March 2022, the village was under temporary occupation. More than 370 residents were detained in the basement of the local school to be used as a ‘human shield’. Hostilities resulted in the destruction of homes, social infrastructure and the road network.

Upon de-occupation, volunteers repaired the homes enough for residents to return. In 2023, the Agency for Restoration began the comprehensive reconstruction of the village.

Restoration of housing

As of early August 2025, 72 residential buildings in Yahidne had been restored, with a further 13 in the final stages of major repairs. These are properties whose owners have transferred their customer responsibilities to the Restoration Service in the Chernihiv region. In some cases, the project documentation is still being finalised.

 

As part of the major renovation, the roofs, facades, basements and pavements are being restored and new windows and doors are being installed. Four buildings are being rebuilt from scratch – work has already begun at 37 Kosmonavtiv Street and 24 Yabluneva Street, while preparations for constructing the basement at two other sites are underway.

 

Road infrastructure and street lighting

 

Repairs to the street and road network in Yahidne are 99% complete. The asphalting is finished, the pedestrian areas are complete, the fences and road signs have been installed, and the autonomous street lighting is in place.

A total of 143 posts were installed, each equipped with two 400 W solar panels and energy-saving LED lamps.

 

Currently, the street lighting on five streets in the village operates autonomously. This system ensures the streetlights continue to operate even during power outages, while also promoting the rational use of community resources.

The lighting is controlled automatically according to the community’s needs. According to the current settings, the lights turn on at dusk and remain on until midnight. During curfew, the lights are turned off and turned back on again at 4:00 a.m., remaining on until dawn.

 

Public facilities

 

Preparatory work is currently underway to dismantle the remains of the burnt-down cultural centre. A new public building incorporating a bomb shelter and housing a paramedic and maternity station will be built in its place. A drinking water pump stand is being set up nearby; the well has already been dug.

 

It is also planned to create a memorial at the school where civilians were held hostage during the occupation. A tender for the construction work was announced in June, and the proposals are currently under review.

The restoration of the housing stock and road network is scheduled for completion in 2025. In 2026, a memorial, public space with a library and bomb shelter will be built.