Once a Busy Market Town, Ukraine’s Kupyansk Is All But Empty Now — Five Miles From Russian Guns
Nearly every building is damaged or destroyed, yet some civilians refuse to leave the place they call home. ‘It really helps to not think about what’s happening,’ one resident says.

KUPYANSK, UKRAINE— Once a busy market town for Ukrainians, Kupyansk— only five miles from Russian forces — now looks like a ghost town. Although Russian occupiers were expelled one year ago, today, nearly every building is damaged or destroyed, and about 80 percent of residents have left. Yet despite the constant Russian shelling, some civilians refuse to leave a place they call home.
Please check your email.
A verification code has been sent to
Didn't get a code? Click to resend.
To continue reading, please select:
Enter your email to read for FREE
Get 1 FREE article
Join the Sun for a PENNY A DAY
$0.01/day for 60 days
Cancel anytime
100% ad free experience
Unlimited article and commenting access
Full annual dues ($120) billed after 60 days