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Trostyanets community
Sumy
Population:
Population (before Russian full-scale invasion) – 21 000
Women – 14 638
Men – 12 989
Pensioners – 7 012
Children under 18 – 4 224
The community consists of 1 city (Trostyanets) and 12 starosta districts – the districts of amalgamated communities after decentralization reform in Ukraine (38 settlements)
History
The first settlements on the territory of the present-day Trostyanets were founded by Cossacks from the Right Bank of Ukraine (named after the Right Bank of the Dnipro river), who colonized these lands. The name comes from the name of the Trostyanka river, which flows nearby. Further development of the city is mostly associated with the sugar industry, which was one of the most developed in the region.
The landmark of the city is the Round Yard – a fortress built in the XVIII century. Despite its fortifications and defensive towers, it has never performed its military function and has been used as a circus arena.
Community and the War
Trostyanets is located only 35 kilometers from the border with Russia. The community has been under Russian occupation since February 24, 2022. The city became the headquarters for the Russian military and had been in occupation for 30 (thirty) days.
Here, a large number of the Russian military had been deployed and numerous military equipment stored. All shops and pharmacies were looted by Russian soldiers. The city was on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Russian troops intentionally damaged power grids, as well as ground and underground utility infrastructure. Eventually, mobile communications were totally cut off.
Although Trostyanets avoided the fate of Mariupol, Izyum or Volnovakha, and was liberated by the Ukrainian troops in late March 2022, the city was severely damaged with the looting of Russian occupiers.
The railway and bus stations and the 40th Army Square Source: Trostyanets City Council photo archive.
During the Russian occupation, the Russian shelling severely damaged the railway station and completely destroyed the 40th Army Square. The buildings adjacent to the square, as well as underground and above ground utilities were destroyed.
Shelling of the Trostyanets hospital
The local hospital is the pride of the community. In recent years, the city has invested a lot in it. They attracted both credit and state funds, as well as funds from local philanthropists. By joint efforts, they created conditions for comfortable treatment here. What the Russian troops did when retreating from Trostyanets has no logical explanation. The Russians deliberately stopped in front of the hospital and fired at it with tanks. Now, the community has started rebuilding the hospital and restoring its functio
The mayor
From the very first day of the occupation, the Russian military occupied the premises of the city council and the local police department and set up their headquarters there. They planned to detain the mayor Yuri Bova and force him to cooperate through intimidation or torture same way they did in other occupied cities.
The door to his house was broken. The mayor was forced to hide in the neighboring villages and changed his location dozens of times during that period. The Russians has been terrorizing local residents for over a month of occupation. Civilians were shot in the middle of the streets, many were found tortured.
The main task of the mayor during occupation was to provide the city with food and medicine and to organize the evacuation of local residents.There was the only field road that was not controlled by the occupying forces and volunteers managed to bring in all necessary relief items. Yuri Bova even managed to get into the city and meet with local residents and organize necessary work twice during the occupation period when the Russian troops were on rotation.
The East-Rock festival
East-Rock festival, the most famous rock festival in Ukraine, takes place in Trostyanets annually. Thousands of rock fans gather here to listen to their favorite bands. The festival was held for the first time in 2013 and since that time it has been held in the Round Yard, the XVIII century fortress .
The Round Yard was also damaged during the occupation of the city. Russian tanks demolished its gate and shelled the walls. This year the festival was held in a virtual format. The organizers sold online tickets and raised funds for humanitarian aid to the residents of Trostyanets.
The Old Fortress festival
The Old Fortress festival of historical reconstruction is another event the city is famous for. It also takes place in the Round Yard. Lovers of the Middle Ages spend here battles of knights in ancient armor, archery tournaments. Medieval music and ancient medieval cuisine contribute to its outstanding atmosphere.
Sport in the community
The city authorities pay great attention to the development of sports. In 2021, the local Kutz Stadium was reconstructed.
The complex for summer and winter biathlon is also built in the Neskuchne dendro park in Trostyanets. Numerous competitions among adults and children take place here. The community has ambition to build a new biathlon complex capable of hosting world cups in biathlon.
The development strategy
Trostyanets has a developed community strategy. Of course, the community was severely affected by the War and rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed by the Russians and returning the residents to their homes is currently the most urgent goal. The community is located close to the Russian border and security will from now on be the top priority. However, the community does not put aside the pre-war plans as well .
The city is an important cultural and tourism center. Numerous festivals, sporting events, architectural monuments and beautiful nature attract people from other regions.
Trostyanets has a well developed industry. The Mondelis Ukraine confectionery factory is among the leaders of the local industry. The woodworking industry is also developing. The city has developed the concept of creating a regional chocolate production cluster, which includes the sugar industry, processing of grain and milk.
Trostyanets envisages its future as a chocolate and festival capital of Slobozhanshchyna region with a unique history and cultural heritage.
Partner communities:
Boguchwała (Poland)
Kożuchów ( Poland)
Bystřice nad Pernštejnem (Czech Republic)