In a poignant reflection on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, satellite imagery has unveiled the stark transformation of Verkhnya Krynytsya, a small village in the Zaporizhzhia region. Once a serene and idyllic locale, the village now bears the scars of Russian occupation, with evidence suggesting that Russian soldiers have taken over abandoned homes, including that of BBC reporter Vitaly Shevchenko. The images, analyzed by BBC Verify, show a newly formed path leading to Shevchenko’s childhood home, first appearing in June 2022 and becoming more pronounced by January 2023. This path, used periodically, aligns with the movement patterns of Russian military personnel, who have reportedly occupied vacant properties in the area. The village, once a peaceful retreat near the Kakhovka reservoir, has been irrevocably altered by the war. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023 further devastated the region, flooding homes and farmland. Locals, fearful of retribution, have largely fled or remain silent, leaving the village a ghostly shadow of its former self. The Ukrainian 128th Detached Heavy Mechanised Brigade confirmed the likelihood of Russian troops occupying the area, highlighting the grim reality of life on the front lines. As the war continues, Verkhnya Krynytsya stands as a microcosm of the broader devastation wrought by Russia’s invasion.