Kathrine Frich
Acts of personal courage often emerge in the darkest periods of conflict.
History is full of moments when ordinary people choose to speak out, even when the risks are enormous.
They show how individual defiance can cut through fear and propaganda.
In war, these small, spontaneous decisions to stand firm can become powerful reminders of what civilians endure and what they refuse to accept.
Resident refuses to stay silent
In the Ukrainian city of Kupyansk, a local man directly confronted Russian soldiers after seeing them near his apartment building, foreign media reported.
Living in a high-rise, he approached the troops without hesitation and demanded they leave the area.
He recalled earlier encounters with Ukrainian service members who had assisted civilians, mentioning that soldiers from the Zhytomyr region once shared food such as chocolate, pâté and sausage.
Drawing on that memory, he delivered a clear message to the Russians.
“You scoundrels, go away! Stop coming here! You better make sure your Russia prospers and thrives!” he told them.
Soldiers caught off guard
Video footage posted online shows the exchange taking place at the entrance of the building.
The Russian soldier confronted by the resident appeared startled, quickly attempting to justify himself and visibly surprised by the blunt criticism.
Locals in the Kharkiv region have faced repeated shelling, damaged homes and widespread fear since the start of the invasion.
Many residents see no liberation in the presence of armed occupiers. Instead they see only loss and disruption.
Defiance in occupied areas
The man’s willingness to speak openly tells a different story than the one reported in communities under Russian control.
Residents have routinely pushed back against Moscow’s claims that Ukrainian civilians welcome the presence of its soldiers.
For years, Russian state media has portrayed these regions as grateful and receptive.
But the reaction caught on video paints a starkly different picture: frustration, anger and rejection of the invading force.
Just a day earlier, Vladimir Putin claimed Ukrainians were “joyfully” greeting Russian troops.
The confrontation in Kupyansk stands in direct contrast to that narrative.
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