Mural dedicated to war-battered Donetsk cities of Bakhmut and Soledar unveiled in Irpin

Ukrainian artist Ivan Shulhin is creating a mural called "Artemsil" dedicated to the war-torn eastern cities of Bakhmut and Soledar, Donetsk region.

Rubryka reports that the artist will open the mural in the city of Irpin in the Kyiv region, recovering after destruction and devastation brought by Russian forces in the first month of invasion and occupation.

"Irpin became an outpost that took the first heavy blow during the invasion. Bakhmut suffers in the same way,"  artist Ivan Shulhin explained.

The name "Artemsil" comes from the namesake salt production enterprise in Soledar, the Ukrainian city famous for its salt mines, currently occupied by Russian forces. The enterprise ceased operations because of Russian forces advancing the region and air striking the plant facilities.

The artists wanted to use the symbol of salt to tell the stories of Bakhmut, which the Ukrainian armed forces have bravely defended since the summer of 2022, and Soledar, temporarily occupied by Russia.

The artist says the mural will be finished in a week if the weather permits. It will be accompanied by the inscription "Bakhmut, Irpin is with you."

As Rubryka reported, in February 2023, "Artemsil" and the United24 fundraising platform released a special batch of salt from Soledar for the anniversary of the war, dividing 20 surviving tons into 100,000 symbolic packs, which could be bought to support Ukraine's intelligence.

Rubryka also reported that a mural opened in Kyiv as a sign of support for the Ukrainian defenders of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. It is dedicated to the indomitability of Ukrainian soldiers.