Ukrainian women form Zla Mavka, a nonviolent resistance network in occupied Melitopol, preserving identity through underground media and symbolic acts.
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Zla Mavka is a grassroots, nonviolent resistance network of Ukrainian women operating in occupied territories, such as Melitopol. Formed in early 2023 in Melitopol, the group aims to preserve Ukrainian identity, culture, and morale against Russian occupation efforts that involve erasing Ukrainian culture and imposing Russian control. Their resistance methods are non-militant and include creating and hand-distributing underground newspapers to counter Russian disinformation, staging symbolic protests (like placing anti-war messages on fake currency), and documenting daily life through anonymous testimonies called “The Mavka Diaries.” Despite the dangers of surveillance and raids under occupation, the group operates with strict security protocols. Their efforts represent a broader pattern of civil resistance in occupied Ukraine, emphasizing that while the city may be occupied, the Ukrainian identity remains protected.
