Rebuilding Ukraine: Town of Trostianets begins reconstruction of railway station destroyed by Russian forces

The northern town of Trostianets, Sumy region, began restoring the damaged railway station, according to the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure.

Russian forces destroyed it during the occupation of the city at the beginning of the full-scale war, Rubryka reports.

What's the problem?

The Russians entered the city, occupying the railway station and hiding equipment under civilian buildings at the beginning of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. This led to a month of survival for the locals under occupation. 

Videos from surveillance cameras showed the world how Russian soldiers looted shops, leaving Trostianets residents without food and medicine, and how they destroyed the city's infrastructure with shelling.

"During the occupation, the Russians used the railway station as one of their firing positions. There was also their depot and torture chamber. The occupiers dug up the square in front of the station to store ammunition," the department said.

What's the solution?

During the Russian occupation, half of Trostianets residents managed to leave, but most of them have returned. The town started to rebuild the railway station damaged by the Russians during the occupation.

"We are rebuilding the city for them, including the unique modern-style railway station. The building was constructed in 1982 according to an individual architectural design and resembles a Ukrainian hut," said the State Agency for Restoration.

How does it work?

"We are rebuilding the railway station in Trostianets: preparatory work has begun," said the agency.

According to reports, the restoration project of the station preserves its authentic form while adding modern functionality — the railway station and bus station will be combined into one building.

"The ticket offices will be located separately, while the waiting hall will remain common. It will be a modern, inclusive space with shelter areas for civilians. It will combine the possibilities of railway and bus connections, convenient access for transport, bus stops, and parking for private vehicles," the State Agency for Restoration explained.

Damaged structures on the first floor (partitions, PVC windows, and doors) are being dismantled, and the locations of external networks are being determined. According to the working schedule, the reconstruction is to be completed by the end of November 2024.

The station's reconstruction is part of a government experimental project to restore settlements affected by Russia's armed aggression. Trostianets also started the reconstruction of a hospital and two residential five-story buildings.

On March 4, the Official Website of the International Register of Losses caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine was launched.

Moreover, the Rivne region has repaired the Velikozholudske lyceum, which was damaged in the first days of the full-scale invasion.