Ukraine starts to rebuild towns and cities even as the war rages on

Workers reconstruct a street, which was damaged on the first months of Russia's attack on Ukraine in the town of Trostianets, Sumy region, Ukraine November 3, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

TROSTIANETS, Ukraine (Reuters) - An excavator belches out fumes as it clears earth and rubble from between the train and bus stations in the Ukrainian town of Trostianets to make way for a reimagined transport hub.

Badly damaged in fighting with Russian forces almost two years ago, Trostianets is one of six settlements being rebuilt with state funds in a pilot programme to develop the skills and experience needed for a far broader reconstruction drive later.