Konotop

Konotop is a city in northeastern Ukraine, in Sumy Oblast, where it serves as the administrative centre of Konotop Raion. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine its population was approximately 83,543 by a 2022 estimate, making it the second largest city of the oblast. The settlement is believed to date from 1634, and a fortress built there led to battles in the late 1600s, including the Battle of Konotop. The city grew rapidly once important railway lines ran through it in the late 1800s, and it has historically been a railway centre, with industry later shifting to aircraft repair and engine manufacture. Landmarks include the Shukhov Water Tower, and the city is associated with the legend of the witches of Konotop.