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Liubymivka Territorial Community
Kherson
Population:
The Liubymivka territorial community is located in the Kakhovka district of the Kherson region.
The total area of the territory is 234,775 km2. The population of the community was 8,273 people as of January 1, 2022.
The community includes 6 population centers and has its administrative center in the village of Liubymivka.
History
The territory of the Liubymivka community has a rich ancient history.
During archaeological excavations, the remains of a settlement of hunters of the Late Paleolithic and Scythian-Sarmatian periods were found here. In the Scythian burials of the 4th century BC, gold Scythian jewelry, a silver Roman denarius of Emperor Trajan, a bronze seal of the Zaporizhzhian Cossacks, and various everyday life antiquities were found.
The Liubymivka Late Scythian settlement, which is an archaeological monument of national importance, is located on the territory of the community within the village of Liubymivka on the high bank of the Kakhovka Reservoir.
The village of Vasylivka was founded around the 1890s. During the construction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station in 1952-1953, the inhabitants of Vasylivka and neighboring villages were resettled 2 kilometers higher up the hill to a new village, which was later named Vasylivka. Centuries-old trees were transported across the Konka and Durytska rivers and cattle were driven there.
Vasylivka Secondary School opened its doors to students in 1955. There is southern Ukraine’s most powerful radio relay station, built in 1970, at the entrance to the village of Vasylivka.
The Orthodox community of Liubymivka is proud of the Holy Trinity Church, which was built in the 1860s. In the past century, the bell tower and dome of the church were lost and the interior was torn down. In Soviet times, there was a sports hall here, and then a museum of village history. But since 1990, the church has been transferred to the Orthodox community of Liubymivka, the bell tower has been rebuilt, and the church has been restored.
From the first day of the full-scale invasion, the community has been under occupation by russian troops.
Economy and Welfare
Before the full-scale invasion, small and medium-sized businesses were actively developing in the community. More than a hundred business entities worked in the agricultural sector, engaged in the cultivation of agricultural products, trade and consumer services for the community’s population.
More than fifty agricultural producers worked on 23,477.5 hectares of the Liubymivka community’s lands. Among the vegetable crops, tomatoes, cabbage, onions, sweet peppers, and carrots are of the greatest importance in the community. Among grain crops, wheat (including winter wheat), rye, oats, barley, and millet are traditionally cultivated here.
The Liubymivka settlement territorial community is located in the southern part of the steppe zone of Ukraine, which is characterized by an arid climate. In such conditions, the production of agricultural products largely depends on solving the problem of artificial irrigation of lands. Therefore, an important role was played here by the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, which was destroyed by russian troops with missiles, thereby draining the Kakhovka reservoir.
The Shafran Liubymivskyi farm operated in the community – a family business known throughout the country for its blooming fields of tulips, daffodils, alliums, lavender, sage, and lilies. The highlight of the farm has always been crocuses from which saffron spice is derived, and asparagus, which was purchased from all over the country.
In 2022, the company received a grant from the Canadian government. Thanks to this funding they built a greenhouse, bought heating boilers, which, unfortunately, they did not have time to install due to the occupation. Today, the family was forced to leave not only their home, but also their life’s work. But they believe in and bring Ukraine’s victory closer.
The Liubymivka community was developing and improving its material and technical base. Schools were being renovated; new sports locations were being built.
Community and War
On February 24, 2022, the community woke up to the sounds of powerful explosions. The russian army entered the territory of the community and it remains occupied to this day.
All communal and state-financed institutions and facilities were completely looted by the russian military. Searches of the village council employees began in search of documents and military personnel who had participated in the anti-terrorist operation since 2014. Kidnappings, abuse and torture became more frequent. People were forced to leave for the controlled part of Ukraine or abroad. Life in the community became increasingly unbearable.
There is no centralized water supply here. And as a result of massive shelling by the russian occupiers and the blowing up of the Kakhovka Main Canal, the main pumping station of the hydraulic structure located in the village of Liubymivka has been flooded. This threatens to completely cut off the supply of drinking water to the arid regions of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
But all this time, local residents have been resisting the occupiers. From the first days of the full-scale war, the Liubymivka community became known far beyond the borders of Ukraine. After all, the residents of this very community stole a tank from the occupiers. The video of a tractor pulling a tank instantly became popular and inspired not only neighboring communities, which were also under occupation, but also the military themselves. The courage and indomitability of Ukrainians have been digitized and now this famous image is on stamps, T-shirts, and mugs.
The leadership team is currently in Ukrainian-controlled territory, trying to help residents who were also forced to leave their homes. They are working to attract donors and humanitarian aid.
Community People
The head of the Liubymivka settlement territorial community, Serhii Konovalov, spent six months under occupation, protecting and defending the interests of the community.
Under the leadership of Serhii Konovalov, the community actively attracted investments. The Liubymivka community became a participant in the U-LEAD with Europe Program, and a department for organizing the activities of the Central Assistance Center was created here. The employees of the village council underwent training.
Also, before the full-scale invasion, the community opened a new, modern Day Care Center for orphans, families in difficult life circumstances, and anyone who may have suffered from domestic violence.
The community had a renovated House of Culture, where children and adults could develop their talents. Cultural and humorous events were held here.
Development Strategy
The main strategic goal of the Liubymivka community is to live to see complete deoccupation. But now a community restoration plan is being prepared, and a draft Development Strategy until 2035 is being created.
The main priorities are: solving the problem of the lack of drinking water, which was caused by shelling by russian troops; working on road infrastructure and accessible transport services; supporting entrepreneurs and employment of the population; physical and psychological well-being of the community, social cohesion in the community.
The leadership team is already developing reliable partnerships with Ukrainian communities and is open to cooperation with European partners.
