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And still, they plant: Ukraine's front-line farmers rebuild their businesses against all odds

Russian forces have repeatedly struck the dairy farm of 70-year-old Volodymyr Starychenko in Krolevets, Sumy Oblast, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. At times, Starychenko has wondered whether it makes sense to rebuild at all. With help from an international aid program, he keeps working, tending to his cattle and crops. Sumy Oblast, bordering Russia, faces frequent missile and drone strikes. For farmers here, every day means working under the threat of attack. In late 2024,

Starychenko stands next to his newly purchased tractor in Krolevets, Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, undated, October 2025.

About Ukraine

The Kyiv Independent delivers reliable news, context, and on-the-ground reporting from Ukraine. The largest country located entirely in Europe, Ukrainian territory covers 603,628 square kilometers (233,062 square miles), and is bordered by seven countries, namely Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. Ukraine traces its history back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus.

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