Hostomel, Ukraine — All around the airport is evidence of the deadly contest which took place here over the last month.
There are tatters of drab clothing, dislocated tank tracks and other unrecognisable oddments of vehicle parts.
At least one undetonated grenade is visible, concealed among the desiccated remnants of military hardware which jangles like a wind chime underfoot.
Daggered into the tarmac of one road approaching from the south is the body of an unexploded missile.
Other unspent rounds of heavy ammunition the size of fireplace logs are piled in one spot next to a crumpled road sign reading: “Danger”.
Two soldiers pick across the debris towards the open taxiway.
They carry rifles slung across their backs and brooms in their hands — a comic image and an optimistic gesture amongst all this debris of chaos.
