DIVYCHKI COMMUNITY IN 2022–2024: LIFE AND ACTIVITY UNDER MARTIAL LAW (BASED ON MATERIALS FROM THE «VISNYK PEREIASLAVSHCHYNY» NEWSPAPER)

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by russia on February 24, 2022, drastically changed the lives of Ukrainians. The first hours and days were filled with shock, fear, and at the same time, a surge of patriotism and a strong desire to defend the country. Every fifth resident joined newly formed selfdefense units in the Dyvychki United Territorial Community. Once the situation stabilized somewhat, a local security company was established, subordinated to the Pereiaslav Volunteer Formation of a Territorial Community. It has been maintained at the community’s expense. The primary source of revenue for the Dyvychki Community is the personal income tax (PIT), which has nearly doubled since the beginning of the war. However, revenues are regulated by the Budget Code and depend on the population size, so not all funds remain at the disposal of the community. A significant portion of expenditures is directed toward supporting military units and local soldiers. Another substantial share is spent on addressing the day-to-day needs of residents. In particular, in the settlement of Dyvychki-2, the boiler house was modernized, a new feldsher-midwife station was built, and the water supply and heating systems were repaired. The community places considerable emphasis on healthcare development: feldsher-midwife stations are being renovated, and a fully functional hospital is being created based on the Yerkivtsi Laboratory. A car and a scooter were purchased for medical staff in the villages of Stovpiahy and Kovalyn. Improvement projects and road repairs are ongoing throughout the community. Police stations have been opened in the villages of Dyvychki and Stovpiahy. Ensuring safe learning conditions for schoolchildren is a key concern of the local leadership; shelters have been equipped in all kindergartens and schools. A school bus was purchased for the Stovpiahy Gymnasium. Children’s playgrounds were installed in seven villages of the community. The public life of the Dyvychki United Territorial Community is also actively covered in the «Visnyk Pereiaslavshchyny» newspaper. Both adults and schoolchildren organize various fundraising events to support the defenders. The staff of the Yerkivtsi Library organized the campaign «Donate a Modern Ukrainian-Language Book to the Library». «Collectivization. Dekulakization. Holodomor. Repressions» book by local historian M. Hych was published. Although the war has affected the operations of the Dyvychki United Territorial Community, the community continues to live a full and vibrant life.