The Austrian Honorary Consul in Kharkiv, Vsevolod Koschemyako, expressed skepticism about Russia’s ability to completely destroy or conquer his hometown in northeastern Ukraine despite ongoing shelling. In a phone call on Monday, Koschemyako, a businessman who established a volunteer battalion in 2022 to protect Kharkiv, mentioned that he would like to see an end to economic relations between Austria and Russia.
Koschemyako noted that the people of Kharkiv were resilient and determined to defend their city. Despite heavy attacks by Russian forces, he estimated that out of the 1.5 million inhabitants, around 500,000 had fled after February 24, 2022. However, a significant number from the surrounding areas affected by the war had moved to Kharkiv. Although few Austrians were living in the city at the time of our conversation, they had left within the last two years due to escalating violence.
The ongoing attacks were causing significant impacts on the city’s infrastructure and even targeted residential areas. Koschemyako mentioned incidents where bombs hit residential buildings in the city center, causing disruptions to essential services like water and power supply. He acknowledged the difficulty of destroying a city of Kharkiv’s size and expressed confidence that Russian troops would not be successful in conquering it.
To support Kharkiv, Koschemyako suggested that Austria could provide medical equipment and devices. He emphasized the need for Austria to halt cooperation with Russia regardless of profitability as a significant contribution to the situation. Koschemyako also called on Russians living in Austria to recognize their responsibility for events unfolding in Ukraine.
As the founder of the “Khartiya” volunteer battalion, which has since become an official brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, Koschemyako now serves as an advisor to the commander of the National Guard. He plans to expand and organize the brigade with help from friends and collaborators while declining comment on Serhij Zhadan’s status as a prominent Ukrainian author who expressed interest in joining it.
In conclusion, Vsevolod Koschemyako remains confident that Russia will not succeed in conquering Kharkiv despite ongoing shelling attacks on its residents and infrastructure. As an honorary consul representing his homeland’s interests abroad during this challenging period for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial for ensuring international support towards peace negotiations between Kyev and Moscow.
