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Severodonetsk Territorial Community
Luhansk
Population:
The Severodonetsk urban territorial community is located on the territory of the Siverskodonetsk district of the Luhansk region and has its administrative center in the city of Siverskodonetsk.
The total area of the territory: 712.8 km²
Before the war, the population of the city was about 150,000 people
The community includes 19 villages and the city of Siverskodonetsk, which is its administrative center.
History
The city of Severodonetsk was founded in the early 1930s. The founding of the city is connected with the creation of a nitrogen plant and a new settlement around it, which was named Lyskhimbud.
Before the Second World War, there were 47 houses and 9 barracks in Liskhimbud. Also, a secondary school, a kindergarten, a club and other infrastructure facilities were built here. However, the active period of development of the settlement began after the war, during the period of the so-called Restoration of the national economy. In 1950, the settlement of Liskhimbud received the status of an urban-type settlement and was renamed Severodonetsk.
There are several museums in Severodonetsk , where visitors can familiarize themselves with the important stages of the development of Severodonetsk , its cultural and industrial achievements, etc.
Severodonetsk cherishes its historical heritage, including monuments and memorials commemorating the victims of World War II. An important part of this heritage are 11 mass graves, which highlight the courage and self-sacrifice of people who fought for freedom and peace in the most brutal period of history. The city also has monuments to Ukrainian writers — Taras Shevchenko, Mykola Gogol, Ivan Franko. In the 2000s new monuments were erected to victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933, and Cossacks who died liberating Ukrainian lands from invaders.
Economy and Welfare
Due to russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the economic and social situation in Severodonetsk has undergone significant changes.
Severodonetsk was one of the largest industrial centers of Ukraine, known for its chemical production. 32 large industrial enterprises and 1,200 private enterprises in the service sector worked in the city.
The Severodonetsk Association “Azot” is the third largest producer of ammonia in Ukraine and one of the largest chemical industry enterprises in Europe for the production of nitrogen fertilizers, household chemicals and other chemical products.
The city also has a developed machine-building industry, which is connected with the maintenance of chemical enterprises.
A large number of schools, lyceums, technical schools and higher education institutions functioned in the city.
In addition, Severodonetsk has more than 40 sports halls and about 80 sports grounds for active recreation. Volleyball, basketball, parkour or gymnastics can be practiced there, which makes sports accessible to every resident of the city.
There are 2 swimming pools for lovers of water sports and swimming.
The Ice Palace of Sports in Severodonetsk was repeatedly recognized as the best base in Ukraine for mass sports and health work.
The city has a developed cultural sphere: theaters, cinemas, museums, libraries, palaces of culture.
Ivonin park, one of the most favorite places for walks and recreation of the residents of Severodonetsk, was damaged by the occupiers,
The standard of living in Severodonetsk before the full-scale war was higher than the average for Ukraine, thanks to the developed industrial base and stable social infrastructure. Residents of the city enjoyed high-quality medical services, had access to modern education and actively participated in cultural events, which made life in Sievierodonetsk comfortable and prosperous. However, with the beginning of russia’s war against Ukraine, the city suffered a devastating blow. The recovery of Severodonetskand its economy is a long and complex process that will require significant efforts, resources and investments.
Community and War
Severodonetsk, known for its industrial potential and peaceful life, suddenly found itself at the epicenter of tragic events with the beginning of the full-scale war. This city, which before the war was a symbol of development and well-being, became a symbolic center of the struggle of the Ukrainian people for their freedom and independence.
From the first days of the war, the inhabitants of Severodonetsk demonstrated incredible resilience and cohesion. The city, which was under threat of aggression, united in the fight for its survival. People helped each other, organized volunteer headquarters, collected humanitarian aid for the military and displaced persons. It was a time when the spirit of cooperation and solidarity became the most valuable resource.
Unfortunately, the war brought destruction and losses to Severodonetskk. The city was subjected to numerous shellings, which led to the destruction of residential buildings, infrastructure and enterprises. Many people lost their loved ones, homes, and jobs.
But it was in these difficult times that the best side of human nature manifested itself. The people of Severodonetsk organized themselves to help each other. Volunteers collected food, medicine and clothes for the military and displaced persons. Local enterprises reoriented their activities to the production of goods necessary for the front. Residents provided shelter to those who lost a roof over their heads. Many stories of the people of Sievierodonetsk became symbols of the struggle and indomitability of the Ukrainian spirit. These are the stories of doctors who saved lives under shelling, volunteers who tirelessly helped those in need, and defenders of the city who gave their lives for the freedom of Ukraine.
With the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion, Yurii Shyrokov, a resident of Severodonetsk, became a volunteer: he was involved in the evacuation of the civilian population, delivered humanitarian aid under shelling, and helped with the burials of people. He left Severodonetsk when fighting was already raging in the city. He took more than a thousand people out of Sievierodonetsk and a total of 2,500 people out of the combat zone in Donbas.
Severodonetsk is a city that has gone through great trials. But despite all the difficulties, the city and its inhabitants continue to live and fight. The history of Sievierodonetsk is the story of the courage, stability and indomitability of the Ukrainian people.
People of the Community
Oleksii Kharchenko is the head of the Severodonetsk Urban Military Administration.
Before the start of the full-scale war, Sievierodonetsk was actively developing, numerous projects aimed at improving the life of the community were implemented.
They equipped football fields with artificial turfs, carried out reconstruction of the swimming pool and three schools under the presidential program “Major Construction”, started preparatory work on the site for the “Sports Complex” project and a large-scale project, the pilot of which has already been launched — a trial run on the trolleybus route Sievierodonetsk-Lysychansk to the railway station had a lot of prospects. The route Sievierodonetsk – Rubizhne was next in line.
One of the fields that the Sievierodonetsk administration also took care of is recreation areas. They just completed the reconstruction of the Serhii Hubanov Square, and were engaged in the further development of the Sports Town. The reconstruction of flood bridge No. 1 was also completed, and the bridge itself was put into operation. The reconstruction of the spillway dam of the Borova River began.
With the beginning of the war, the priorities of the Sievierodonetsk community changed radically. The main focus was on humanitarian aid, collection and distribution of food, medicine, clothing, population evacuation; collection of funds and necessary items for the military; providing psychological support to war victims; attracting international aid for the reconstruction of the city.
The Sievierodonetsk Urban Military Administration created and supports two hubs in the cities of Dnipro and Ternopil, to meet the humanitarian and social needs of internally displaced persons, and attracts a wide range of charitable foundations, international and public organizations.
In addition, in the city of Irpin, Kyiv region, projects are being implemented on the construction of the Sievierodonetsk city multidisciplinary hospital and the opening of a rehabilitation center to help internally displaced persons, which will provide a range of services, including medical, psychological and social assistance, including for war veterans.
The leader is actively establishing cooperation with international partners and investors for the reconstruction of the Sievierodonetsk community after de-occupation. Also, the Sievierodonetsk community under the leadership of Oleksii Kharchenko continues to support the military. They purchased 50 fpv drones for the 53rd brigade.
31 quadrocopters were handed over to the National Guardsmen from the rapid response brigade, 15 electronic warfare systems were purchased, which are already being delivered to the front.
Development Strategy
Sievierodonetsk, a city with great potential for recovery, is actively working on development after the extensive destruction caused by the war. For this purpose, a draft Comprehensive Recovery Program was developed.
In November 2024, the Sievierodonetsk Urban Community presented reconstruction projects at the REBULD UKRAINE international forum in Warsaw, demonstrating post-deoccupation reconstruction plans. The project of the Unified platform of local e-democracy “e-DEM” is being actively implemented, which will ensure transparency and attract investment in reconstruction. Provision of temporary housing for internally displaced persons: providing comfortable, safe housing for people who have been forced to leave their homes due to hostilities. A health care facility. Preschool and secondary education institutions. Landscaping, amenities and recreational areas.
The purpose of participation is to attract funding for the recovery and development of the area.
The deputy head of the community Zhanna Ovcharova presents projects of social importance aimed at various sources of funding. The first day of the exhibition included open communication, presentations and discussion of partnership opportunities. The national stand “Ukraine and its communities” showcases projects of Ukrainian communities and construction and energy solutions from international companies. The key projects of the Sievierodonetsk community include:
Construction of the Revival Quarter: provision of housing, education, medical and administrative services for residents. Restoration of a multidisciplinary hospital: full restoration of the activities of a communal health care facility.
Sievierodonetsk aims not only to ensure emergency aid, but also to rebuild itself as a powerful and prosperous center, restoring its economic and social infrastructure with the support of national and international partners.