A conversation with the mayor of Dubno, Ukraine, three years after the Russian invasion

By Stephen Norris, Guest Columnist

On Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, residents of Dubno, Ukraine awoke to an air raid alert. Classes were suspended and most of the city’s citizens headed to bomb shelters. This is how Oxford’s Sister City commemorated the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Because of the Sister City partnership, Oxford Mayor Bill Snavely was able to put me in touch with the city’s mayor, Vasyl Antoniuk; Mykola Mandziuk, the head of Dubno’s Community Foundation, Doborbut; and Oleksandrina Zinchenko, a professor at the local Pedagogical College. Mandziuk also works at the Dubno Castle, the most significant historical site in the city of approximately 37,000 located on the Ikva River in the northwest of the country.

I’ll be sharing what they had to say through email conversations about Dubno and the war in two installments, edited for concision. This week, I’m focusing on Antoniuk’s responses.

Stephen Norris (SN): What is your favorite part of Dubno? What makes the city unique?

Vasyl Antoniuk (VA): Dubno is unique for its rich history, architectural and cultural heritage. The city boasts numerous historic buildings that have preserved the atmosphere of past centuries, dozens of spiritual landmarks and majestic monuments honoring prominent figures of the past as well as heroes of the present.

One of the city's most prominent landmarks is Dubno Castle. It was founded in the 15th century by the Ostroh princes. The castle has never been captured, as it was strongly fortified with 73 cannons and reliably protected by the Ikva River with its many kilometers of floodplains.

Throughout history, Dubno has been at the crossroads of important historical and political events and trade routes. Ancient Dubno, the Castle, Orthodox churches and the Catholic Church have always attracted travelers, researchers, musicians and artists.

As mayor, I find it difficult to choose just one favorite corner of Dubno. Every part of the city, every street is meaningful and dear to my heart. At the same time, considering the effort I have put into improving the city center, I would like to highlight it. On Independence Square stands a majestic monument to the Fighters for Freedom and Independence of Ukraine, erected in 2017. The bronze figure of a Cossack on horseback symbolizes the eternal struggle of Ukrainians for their independent state, their unwavering readiness to defend their land, and the greatness of their victories, embodying the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people.

With the outbreak of a full-scale war, when our fellow Dubno residents began to die at the front, Dubno's main square took on a special sacred look. The installation “Heroes Do Not Die” with portraits of fallen soldiers was installed here. Here we pay our last respects to our Heroes who are returning from the front to their native Dubno land forever. Also this year, a Heroes Memorial was opened in Dubno to honor our countrymen who died in the war.

SN: How has the war affected the city and the work of the City Council? 

VA: From the very first day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Dubno became a reliable rear for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a place of refuge for those forced to flee the horrors of war. Ensuring people's safety was our top priority. Special attention was given to building protective structures and shelters, maintaining city operations, and keeping critical and social infrastructure functioning. We have learned to live to the sound of sirens, support those in need and fight on our own front to overcome the challenges of wartime.

Volunteer centers were established in our town. Concerned Dubno residents actively have joined in supporting the army. Experienced volunteers, along with religious, political and public organizations, educational institutions, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens, came together to assist our defenders — Ukrainian soldiers. Later, their efforts expanded to help refugees and those trapped in their settlements due to the fighting.

The Dubno City Council actively took part in collecting aid as well. A temporary transit center was established at the City Council to manage incoming charitable donations, support the military and assist internally displaced Ukrainians. Tons of food, medical supplies and more were delivered to various units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and territorial defense units.

Since the first days of the war, the city of Dubno has welcomed and provided shelter to over 3,000 internally displaced persons, nearly half of whom have remained in our community. We are working on a crucial project to build housing for IDPs in Dubno with the support of the European Union, with a total budget of 5.25 million euros. 

In this difficult time, we have all become volunteers—working together for Victory! We continue to support our defenders in every possible way, purchasing and delivering vehicles, drones, and other essential equipment, as well as providing logistical assistance. Local volunteers, entrepreneurs, and our international partners are also helping us in this effort.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the city's budget has allocated over UAH 63 million to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the defense sector as a whole.

The city has approved a program to supply the military with unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic warfare equipment. We are systematically purchasing drones and electronic warfare systems for military units carrying out missions in the East of Ukraine. 

Unfortunately, the war has also brought us bitter losses. Eighty-six brave Dubno residents have given their lives for the freedom and independence of our country. In their honor, they have been awarded the highest municipal distinction — the title of “Honorary Citizen of Dubno.” Their memory inspires us to continue the fight.

SN: What projects are you planning for 2025?

VA: Despite the war, we are actively working towards the development of the city. In particular, we are implementing investment projects, creating industrial parks and implementing the Development Strategy of the Dubno City Territorial Community for the period up to 2027.

Our priorities remain on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capability, ensuring the functioning of community under martial law, supporting our servicemen and families of fallen Defenders of Ukraine, preventing emergencies, providing protection for the vulnerable and those seeking refuge, maintaining stable operations of infrastructure and shelters, further developing project initiatives, and progressing in healthcare, education and other essential services.

Among the most important plans for 2025 are the creation of the rehabilitation center at the city hospital; implementation of the project for the construction of housing for IDPs; creation of the industrial park “Dubno.”

SN: How has the war affected you personally? What do you think the future will hold?

VA: During my tenure as mayor, thanks to systematic and hard work, we managed to increase the city's own revenues to the local budget from 18% in 2010 to 75% in 2024. This represents a significant economic leap toward promising opportunities for the city. In the future, I believe we will return to positive budget indicators, ensuring the stable development of the Dubno community.

The war required me to be not only a mayor but also a volunteer, to understand various types of weapons and military equipment that passed through the executive structures of local self-government as essential components of assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggressor.

We all believe in victory. We hold the rear and work tirelessly to ensure that our defenders have everything they need.

Guest columnist Stephen Norris is Walter Havighurst Professor of History and Director of the Havighurst Center for East European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at Miami University.