Gostomel

Gostomel, also spelled Hostomel (Ukrainian: Гостомель; Russian: Гостомель), is an urban locality in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, located about 20 kilometers northwest of Kyiv. It lies within Bucha Raion and sits near the Irpin River. The settlement is best known for Kyiv International Airport, commonly called Hostomel Airport, which lies within its borders, and for its association with aviation facilities serving the Kyiv region.

Historically a rural area and transport hub, Gostomel developed in connection with its proximity to Kyiv and the aviation sector. In the post‑Soviet era it remained a small community that supported the metropolitan area while retaining industrial and logistical activities tied to air transport.

In February 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Gostomel received international attention as Russian forces attacked the Antonov Airport (Hostomel Airport). The airfield and adjacent infrastructure sustained significant damage, and reports indicated the destruction of the An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest aircraft, on the ground at Hostomel. After the fighting, the area came under Ukrainian control and has been the focus of reconstruction efforts aimed at restoring transport links and supporting the Kyiv metropolitan region.

Today Gostomel forms part of the Kyiv region’s suburban network, with ongoing efforts to rehabilitate infrastructure, support aviation-related activities, and integrate with the surrounding towns and villages around Kyiv.