Konotop Urban Territorial Community

Sumy region
Population&Priorities
  • Type: Urban
  • Population: 88,758

Community and War

Konotop had been under enemy siege for more than a month since February 24, 2022.The Russian military demanded that the local authorities hand over the town under control, and delivered an ultimatum: resistance would be punished by artillery. However, the people did not give up and gave a severe rebuff to the occupiers, drove them out of the town indicating the direction of movement “following the Russian warship.”.Military aggression by the Russian Federation resulted in a number of residential buildings damaged during street fighting. There are houses with shot-off roofs, and some are completely destroyed by explosions; a part of the road infrastructure and the technical base of utilities system are damaged.Access routes were completely blocked and the town teetered on the brink of a humanitarian disaster. Thanks to the support of partners, the town was able to stabilise the situation and start recovery after the blockade. However, the Konotop community is still at risk.From the first day of the armed invasion of the Russian army, the local authorities, headed by the community headman, took care of the issues of finding and delivering humanitarian supplies, medicines, organizing “green corridors”, creating proper conditions in shelters, etc. The deputy headman personally got behind the wheel of the bus and transported residents who were unable to get to safe  places on their own. Critical infrastructure workers ensured uninterrupted operation of their facilities. 

Destroyed enemy equipment. Source
The destroyed building of civilians. Source
Local symbol of resistance "Konotop Witches" (Illustration by artist Natalia Lee). Source
Destroyed car of civilians. Source
Destroyed enemy equipment. Source
Shelling of the community on the first day of the war, February 24, 2022. Source
Buildings damaged as a result of military aggression. Source
Headman of the community Artem Semenikhin. Source

History

The first mention of the town of Konotop as an outpost on the border dates back to 1625. The status of the town was assigned to Konotop in 1648 which is considered the year of its foundation.In the historical context, the town is known primarily for the glorious Battle of Konotop in 1659 — the main and turning point when the Cossack troops led by Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky completely defeated the advanced detachment of the Russian army. The battle was the culmination of the Ukrainian-Moscow war of 1658-1659.In the cultural context, the town is famous thanks to “The Witch of Konotop”, an outstanding satirical novel by Hryhoriy Kvitka-Osnovyanenko 

The world-famous artist Kazimir Malevich lived and worked in the town for several years, and the writer Taras Shevchenko also visited the town.

Battle of Konotop in 1659. Painting by Artur Orlyonov, 2010. Source
A sculpture of a horse which is the symbol of the town of Konotop. Source
Kazimir Malevich Source

Development Strategy

The key strategic goals of the community are balanced economic development, the creation of comfortable living conditions and the formation of a cohesive community with a high quality of life.

Among the priority tasks are the creation of an industrial park and a logistics centre, the modernization of housing and communal facilities, the development of alternative energy and social infrastructure.

Aerial survey of the community. Source

Sources

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