In Ukrainian towns of Sumy, war began before Russian invasion and tension persists | Ground report

The areas around Trostyanets town and other parts in the Sumy region in north-east Ukraine that shares a 500km border with Russia are still being pounded by Russian missiles. 

Devastation is probably the correct name for the railway station in Trostyanets town in Ukraine, where a fierce battle raged between Russia and Ukraine. Buildings around the station, 35km from the Russian border, are blown off, a charred self-propelled artillery gun of the Russian forces stands at what would have been the entry to the station.

The bus stops are hardly recognisable and across the street burnt homes and buildings tell the tale of a bloody battle fought here. The railway station functioned as one of the main centres from where the Russians worked. Senior officials worked out of here, locals say.

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Even before the official announcement of military operations by Russia on February 24, Russian forces had moved into some of the border towns in the Sumy region, north-east of Kyiv.

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India Today visited destroyed homes, official buildings and even the local hospital that became a casualty in the fighting.

While the Russians have gone back, the threat remains. The areas around the town and other parts in the Sumy region in north-east Ukraine that shares a 500km border with Russia are still being pounded by Russian missiles.