SHOSTKA

also spelled ostka, city, Sumy oblast (province), northern Ukraine, lying along the Shostka River. It became the site of a powder mill in 1730, but not until Soviet times did it become a considerable settlement, being incorporated in 1924. Present-day Shostka has varied industries, including food processing and the manufacture of photographic materials, veneers, building materials, and chemicals. The city also has technical colleges and a music school. Pop. (1991 est.) 95,200.