Kurakhove (Ukrainian: Курахове, pronounced [kʊˈrɑxowe]; Russian: Курахово, romanized: Kurakhovo) is a city in Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine. Population: 18,220 (2022 estimate);[2] 21,479 (2001). Kurakhove is home to the Kurakhove Power Station.
Kurakhove
Курахове | |
|---|---|
 Church in Kurakhove | |
 Flag  Seal | |
  Kurakhove  Kurakhove | |
| Coordinates: 47°59′N 37°16′E / 47.983°N 37.267°E | |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Oblast | Donetsk Oblast |
| Raion | Pokrovsk Raion |
| Hromada | Kurakhove urban hromada |
| Government | |
| • Military administration head | Roman Padun[1] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 24 km2 (9 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Total | 18,220 |
 | |
Geography
editKurakhove lies on the left bank of the Kurakhove Reservoir.
History
editThis section appears to be slanted towards recent events. (July 2024) |
Kurakhovka is an urban-type settlement, founded in the west of the Donetsk region in 1924. The urban-type settlement Ostry is subordinate to the Kurakhove village council.[3]
Russo-Ukrainian War
editWar in Donbas
editThe unrecognized 11 May 2014 Donetsk Oblast independence referendum was held in Kurakhove, but the city did not become part of the territory controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (who held the referendum).[4] Since then, the city was located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of the frontline during the Russo-Ukrainian War.[4][5][6]
Russian invasion of Ukraine
editIn 2024, as part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a renewed offensive effort to capture all of Donetsk Oblast, Russian forces seek to capture Kurakhove and Pokrovsk. This axis being the main attack direction, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi noted the disparity of forces in terms of equipment and manpower, and high pressure on Ukrainian lines in this area.[7][8]
The town is noted to be of major importance for Russian resource warfare and related war goals, as it encompasses resource infrastructure and lithium worth hundreds of billions of dollars, that is stored in the Shevchenko deposit. A few weeks before the start of the Russian invasion in December 2021, the Ukrainian government granted the Australian company European Lithium the mining rights for this deposit. In the summer of 2023, the CEO of European Lithium, Tony Sage, declared that the company would no longer lay claim to the Shevchenko field - it was too close to the front line. On 10 January 2024, the Russian occupants sent "approval documents" for lithium extraction in the region to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Russian exiled writer Edward Topol argues that by seizing Ukrainian lithium, Russia aims to keep Russian momentum and pressure on the European energy market with a monopoly on European lithium.[9]
Demographics
editAs of the 2001 Ukrainian census, the town had a population of 21,516, which decreased to 18,220 in 2022. The majority of the population identifies as ethnic Ukrainian, but is vastly Russian-speaking.[10][11]
Economy
editA central processing plant (Kurakhove Central Processing Plant) is located in Kurakhove, which is part of the structure of DTEK Rinat Akhmetov. The village is home to two mines: Mine No. 10, which is now closed, and Mine No. 42 “Kurakhovskaya,” operated by SE “Selidovugol.” The latter remains active, providing employment not only to the residents of Kurakhove but also to those from Tsukuryne and the city of Hirnyk. Additionally, the village hosts a bus depot (ATP), the Donetsk-Kurakhove Metallurgical Plant (DKMZ), which specializes in smelting non-ferrous metals, and a food distribution base supplying products across much of Ukraine.[3]
The Shevchenko deposit of the city holds one of the largest reserves of lithium in Ukraine.[12] It received attention due to rising demand for lithium globally.[9]
While some of the village's population works at local enterprises, such as those in Kurakhovka, others are employed at larger facilities in nearby cities, including the Pokrovsk and Vuhledar mines.[3]
Within the village, the Kurakhove railway station operates exclusively for freight services, primarily serving the Kurakhovskaya central processing facility, following the discontinuation of the last local commuter train.[3]
Culture
editIn Kurakhove, the social infrastructure includes a comprehensive school (School No. 22), the "Yasnaya Polyana" kindergarten, an outpatient clinic, and a "House of Culture". The village is also well-served by a variety of shops, both for groceries and manufactured goods, as well as several cafes.
Attractions
editThe city features several landmarks, including a monument to fallen soldiers, a monument to deceased miners, a church and the House of Culture.[3]
Gallery
edit-
City council -
Church in Kurakhove -
Sports centre -
Lermontov Street in Kurakhove -
Kurakhove Reservoir -
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Kurakhove Valley
References
edit- ^ Nicole Wolkov; Christina Harward; Karolina Hird; Riley Bailey; Frederick W. Kagan (31 December 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 31, 2023". understandingwar.org. ISW. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
Ukrainian Kurakhove City Military Administration Head Roman Padun stated that Russian forces conducted strikes on Kurakhove (west of Donetsk City) with S-300 missiles and Uragan MLRS rockets on December 31.
- ^ Чисельність наявного населення України на 1 січня 2022 [Number of Present Population of Ukraine, as of January 1, 2022] (PDF) (in Ukrainian and English). Kyiv: State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Кураховка - Шахтёрский край". girnyk.dn.ua. 20 October 2020. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ a b Marson, James (26 October 2014). "In Ukraine's East, Low Voter Turnout in Election Signals Kiev's Challenges". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "Kurakhove, a Ukrainian-controlled city 10 kilometers from the war front, is on edge with residents divided - Jun. 30, 2015". 30 June 2015.
- ^ Karolina Hird; Kateryna Stepanenko; Grace Mappes; Madison Williams; Frederick W. Kagan (19 December 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 19". understandingwar.org. ISW. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
Russian sources claimed that the Russian capture of Marinka will allow Russian troops the ability to bypass Vuhledar to the southwest and advance northwest towards Kurakhove, which reportedly is a major Ukrainian transportation hub and rail line.
- ^ "Syrskyi: Russia trying to break through defenses to reach Kurakhove, Pokrovsk". Kyiv Independent. 6 May 2024.
- ^ "War update: Fighting most tense in Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk axes". Ukrinform. 13 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Lithium, um Europa zu würgen: In der Ukraine kämpft Russland um Rohstoffe". N-tv. 23 June 2024.
- ^ "Національний склад міст".
- ^ "Рідні мови в об'єднаних територіальних громадах України".
- ^ "Prospects for the lithium deposits development in Ukraine". ResearchGate. Archived from the original on 31 August 2024.
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