Vasylivka (Ukrainian: Василівка, pronounced [wɐˈsɪ.l⁽ʲ⁾iu̯.kɐ]; Russian: Васильевка, IPA: [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: 12,567 (2022 estimate).[2]

Vasylivka
Василівка
Popov Manor House
Flag of Vasylivka
Coat of arms of Vasylivka
Vasylivka is located in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Vasylivka
Vasylivka
Vasylivka is located in Ukraine
Vasylivka
Vasylivka
Coordinates: 47°26′35″N 35°16′55″E / 47.44306°N 35.28194°E / 47.44306; 35.28194
Country Ukraine
OblastZaporizhzhia Oblast
RaionVasylivka Raion
HromadaVasylivka urban hromada
Founded1784
City rights1957
Controlportions occupied by Russia[1]
Area
 • Total
10.23 km2 (3.95 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total
12,567
 • Density1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
Postal code
71602
Area code+380-6175
ClimateDfa
Map

History

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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".[3]

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.[3] 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.[3] 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.[4]

Vasylivka was captured by Russian forces on 2 March 2022, during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

Demographics

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

Ethnic groups in Vasylivka
percent
Ukrainians
82.30%
Russians
14.99%
Armenians
0.64%
Belarusians
0.55%
Bulgarians
0.46%
Others
1.06%

[8]

Native languages in Vasylivka
Languages percent
Ukrainian
77.1%
Russian
21.8%
Armenian
0.5%
Others
0.6%

[9]

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References

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  1. ^ "Ukraine after 11th night of war: Mayor killed, towns taken, Moscow promises civilian corridors to Russia". Baltic News Network. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c Vasylivka (Василівка). esu.com.ua (Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine).
  4. ^ Чисельність наявного населення України на 1 січня 2013 року. Державна служба статистики України. Київ, 2013. стор.62
  5. ^ Синяк, Дмитро (2023-09-19). ""Український прапор над міською радою провисів в окупації 53 дні". Інтерв'ю міського голови Василівки" (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  6. ^ "Ukrainian Armed Forces repel enemy attacks near 25 settlements". Ukrinform. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Occupying authorities in Zaporizhzhia report five dead and 15 wounded in a strike in Vasylivka". Meduza. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  8. ^ "Національний склад міст".
  9. ^ "Рідні мови в об'єднаних територіальних громадах України".