Vasylivka Explained

Official Name:Vasylivka
Native Name:Василівка
Pushpin Map:Ukraine Zaporizhia Oblast#Ukraine
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Ukraine
Subdivision Type1:Oblast
Subdivision Name1:Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Subdivision Type2:Raion
Subdivision Name2:Vasylivka Raion
Subdivision Type3:Hromada
Subdivision Name3:Vasylivka urban hromada
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1784
Established Title1:City rights
Established Date1:1957
Leader Title:Mayor
Area Total Km2:10.23
Population As Of:2022
Population Total:12567
Population Density Km2:auto
Coordinates:47.4431°N 35.2819°W
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:71602
Area Code:+380-6175
Blank Name:Climate
Blank Info:Dfa
Parts Type:Control
Parts Style:para
P1:portions occupied by Russia[1]
Pushpin Relief:y
Module:
Wikidata:yes
Zoom:12
Frame-Height:260
Stroke-Width:1

Vasylivka (Ukrainian: Василівка, pronounced as /uk/; Russian: links=on|Васильевка|p=vɐˈsʲilʲjɪfkə) is a city in Zaporizhzhia Oblast (province) in southern Ukraine. It serves as the administrative center of Vasylivka Raion. The city is situated on the banks of the Kakhovka Reservoir on the Dnieper River. Population:

History

At least since the 16th century, the area belonged to the Zaporozhian Sich. The first settlements in place of Vasylivka are mentioned as early as 1730s when some khutirs and zymivnyki (winter settlements) appeared on the banks of Konka river and were referred to as "Kozatski Khutory".[2]

Following the 1775 liquidation of the Zaporozhian Sich and the 1783 annexation of the Crimea, in 1788, Catherine II of Russia granted the region to a landlord Vasili Stepanovich Popov, a Russian general who was a chief of staff of Grigory Potyomkin as his manor still bears. Popov also erected a temple dedicated to the saint Basil the Great.[2] The settlement around that church became known as Vasylivka. Beside the local Zaporizhian Cossacks, the area saw influx of the Popov's serfs from other neighboring gubernias Chernigov, Poltava and Ekaterinoslav.[2] The settlement was part of the Melitopol county (uyezd) within the Taurida Governorate.

A grandson of General Popov built the Popov Manor House in Vasylivka. The residence was visited by Anton Makarenko in 1925.

During the World War II, near Vasylivka existed the German Panther–Wotan line along Molochna river.

In January 1989, according to the census, population was 16,325. In January 2013, population was 13,996.[3]

Vasylivka was captured by Russian forces on 2 March 2022, during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[4]

On 12 December 2022, Russian forces began preparing to evacuate the citizens of Vasylivka. The following week, Ukrainian artillery struck Russian positions in the city, destroying military equipment.[5]

On 4 January 2023, Ukrainian forces shelled the headquarters of Russian troops stationed in Vasylivka. Pro-Russian news sources claimed that the strike hit an apartment building and that six people were killed in the strike.[6]

Demographics

Ethnic groups and linguistic composition according to the 2001 Ukrainian census: [7]

[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: 7 March 2022 . Ukraine after 11th night of war: Mayor killed, towns taken, Moscow promises civilian corridors to Russia . Baltic News Network . 7 March 2022.
  2. https://esu.com.ua/article-32270 Vasylivka (Василівка)
  3. http://database.ukrcensus.gov.ua/PXWEB2007/ukr/publ_new1/2013/sb_nnas_2012.pdf Чисельність наявного населення України на 1 січня 2013 року. Державна служба статистики України. Київ, 2013. стор.62
  4. Web site: "Український прапор над міською радою провисів в окупації 53 дні". Інтерв’ю міського голови Василівки. Дмитро. Синяк. uk. 2023-09-19. 2024-05-09.
  5. Web site: Ukrainian Armed Forces repel enemy attacks near 25 settlements. 21 December 2022. 21 December 2022. Ukrinform.
  6. Web site: Occupying authorities in Zaporizhzhia report five dead and 15 wounded in a strike in Vasylivka . 2023-01-06 . Meduza . en.
  7. https://datatowel.in.ua/pop-composition/ethnic-cities
  8. https://socialdata.org.ua/projects/mova-2001/