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Blyzniuky Territorial Community
Kharkiv
Population:
The Blyzniuky Community is situated in the south of Kharkiv Oblast and borders Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts. The community covers a vast area of 1,377.7 km² and consists of 97 settlements — villages that are located at a significant distance from the administrative center, the town of Blyzniuky.
As of 1 January 2024, the community’s population was 17,094 people, including:
Women – 9,140
Men – 7,954
Rural population – 12,729
Population in the town of Blyzniuky – 4,365;
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) – 4,773
History
The administrative center of the community is the town of Blyzniuky, first mentioned in 1863. It was also referenced in 1859 in the list of settlements of the Pavlohrad County, Katerynoslav Governorate. At that time, two villages — Blyzniuky-1 and Blyzniuky-2 — were established on the left side of the Kharkiv-Rostov route.
Blyzniuky Town Council is located in the steppe zone, which presents opportunities for the development of green tourism. The community has 401 archaeological sites, 71 historical monuments, and one architectural monument — the Saint Kazan Church in Oleksiivka, a functioning Orthodox stone church built in the classical style.
This late 19th-century architectural monument was built by landowner Oleksiienko in the village of Oleksiivka, which was part of Pavlohrad County (now Blyzniuky Raion)
A distinctive geographical feature of the Blyzniuky Community is its location at the intersection of three oblasts and its equal distance from three oblast centres — Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Donetsk. The area is known for its picturesque steppe landscapes, rich flora, and fauna. Tourists may be interested in ethnographic museums and local festivals. The community has significant historical and cultural potential.
Economy and Welfare
The Blyzniuky Community, being predominantly agricultural, offers significant advantages for local business and economic development. Favorable climate conditions and modern agricultural technologies ensure high crop yields and stable income for farmers and agricultural enterprises, making their products competitive on the market.
The community has 311 registered legal entities, most of which represent small and medium-sized businesses. Active entrepreneurial activity contributes to economic growth, despite facing certain challenges.
Among the largest employers are Kolos, LAN, Komunalnyk, Blyzniuky Central District Hospital, Volodymyrivske, and Berestivska Agrofirm Each of these enterprises employs between 50 and 150 people, supporting the community’s stability and development.
The agricultural sector is the driving force of the local economy, as fertile lands cover 92% of the territory. Additionally, the community has over 3,000 hectares of land available for investment, suitable for the construction of solar power plants, warehouse complexes, industrial zones, etc.
The community’s development is strongly supported by a well-developed healthcare infrastructure and high-quality medical services.
Medical services are provided through a network of healthcare institutions, primarily the Blyzniuky Hospital. In addition to general medical services (such as therapy, surgery, and pediatrics), the hospital offers specialized services, including palliative care and rehabilitation. Modern equipment and experienced personnel make the hospital a reliable medical center for both local residents and patients from other regions.
Priority areas for cooperation include bringing medical services up to international standards, introducing new treatment methods, supporting experience exchange and training programs for rehabilitation specialists, enhancing safety and accessibility for all residents.
A civil defense shelter is currently being constructed on the hospital’s premises, with a capacity of up to 500 people.
Educational institutions in the community include kindergartens and schools, ensuring the development and education of children and youth. The education system includes 7 lyceums and 4 branches, serving 1,454 students, including 90 IDPs. Due to security concerns, all educational institutions have transitioned to remote (59%) or blended (41%) learning. In-person education is currently not conducted.
A civil defense shelter is also being constructed at Blyzniuky Lyceum, with a capacity of up to 400 people.
The Inclusive Resource Center supports families with children with special needs and educators. The community has 30 inclusive classrooms in schools and 9 in preschools, with 36 and 24 children enrolled, respectively.
Priority areas for cooperation include implementing best management practices in the education system, addressing learning losses, expanding preschool education services, adapting schools to function during wartime, constructing protective shelters for schools and kindergartens, creating digital learning spaces in shelters, strengthening teacher capacity to provide quality education in crisis situations.
The Bliznyuky Community actively supports sports, promoting a healthy lifestyle among young people and improving competition results.
The community is experiencing positive dynamics in sports development and athlete achievements. Key points:
Youth Sports School: in 2024, five sports sections are operating: football, volleyball, cycling, powerlifting, and kettlebell sport. Local athletes show strong results in regional and district competitions.
Championships: The Blizniuky team has won prizes in various competitions, including second place overall in the Kharkiv Oblast Championship.
Individual Successes: School alumni Yehor Herasymov and Viacheslav Shudrov (an international-class master of sports and world championship medalist) became European and world champions in kettlebell sport among juniors and adults.
One of the most notable and significant events for the community was the premiere of the Ukrainian film Luxembourg, Luxembourg on the red carpet in Blyzniuky (starring twin brothers Amil and Ramil Nasirov). The residents of Blyzniuky had the opportunity to meet the film’s director and the lead actors, fellow villagers Ramil and Amil Nasirov, who are among the most active volunteers in the country.
The brothers gained fame as members of the band Kurgan & Agregat, a Ukrainian hip-hop group that uses Surzhyk and Slobozhansky dialects in their lyrics. They actively support the Ukrainian military and raised over 14 million UAH for the Armed Forces of Ukraine through a European tour. The band is now planning a nationwide tour to continue supporting Ukraine’s defenders. One of the members of Kurgan, Yevhen Volodchenko, was previously a fighter in the Kraken special unit.
The Zabava Vocal Group from Uplatne village in Blizniuky Community became a highlight of the Sea of Rhythms international festival in Balchik, Bulgaria.
The Community and the War
On 24 February 2022, like most Ukrainian communities, Blyzniuky faced the challenges of full-scale Russian invasion. All development plans were immediately put on hold as life changed in an instant.
The town council transitioned to 24/7 support for Ukrainian defenders, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and local residents in need. From the first days of the war, residents of the Blyzniuky Community rushed to defend their homeland from Russian aggression. Today, over 310 men from the community serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. So far, 82 soldiers from the community have fallen, and there are missing and seriously wounded.
Those unable to fight at the front contribute through volunteer organizations, supporting the military from behind the lines. A charitable organisation, the Unity of Blyzniukivshchyna Charitable Foundation, was established in Blyzniuky. Residents fundraise for military vehicles, drones, and other equipment. The community regularly holds charity auctions and other events to raise funds for the needs of the military.
The community places great emphasis on helping IDPs. Since the beginning of the war, Blyzniuky has provided shelter to over 4,000 displaced persons.
The community is looking for opportunities to attract funding for the reconstruction of the former dormitory building for the needs of internally displaced persons. The project envisages the reconstruction of a two-storey non-residential building into a 12-apartment residential building with built-in non-residential spaces: a pharmacy and a store.
A modern space fostering community unity, created to support those affected by the war and assist defenders.
The idea for this recovery-resource hub arose to help those impacted and support Ukraine’s defenders. The town unites around the events of the future space.
To honor fallen heroes, 40 cherry blossom trees have been planted.
A concept for a Memorial is being developed in collaboration with the families of the fallen. The Memorial will be located near the park.
Community People
Since April 2006, Hennadii Korol has served as the head of the town of Blyzniuky. He has been re-elected for four terms and remains the chief official in the Blyzniuky Community local government system.
Vyshyvanka Day, before the full-scale invasion. A cultural event featuring community residents, amateur performers, and other organizations
Development Strategy
Strategic planning is key to Blyzniuky Community’s effective governance. Since 2024, the community has been updating its Development Strategy through the SURGe Project to align with wartime challenges.
The goal is to ensure a comfortable life, business development, and efficient resource management.
Priorities:
- Healthcare: Expanding services, training personnel, updating equipment (mammography, X-ray), and ensuring barrier-free access.
- Social Protection: Support programs for families, the elderly, and orphans; creation of mobile aid groups for remote villages.
- Infrastructure: Service development, transparent governance, and engaging residents in decision-making.
- Economy: Supporting businesses, attracting investment, and developing a community brand.
The community aims to become a stable region with high living standards for all residents.
Development Prospects:
- Agricultural Expansion:
Further development of agriculture, including processing of agricultural products and creation of cooperatives, organic production. - Support for Small and Medium Businesses:
Creating favourable conditions for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in various fields (consultations and creation of business incubators). - Investment Attraction:
Active engagement with investors for infrastructure and new industries, international partnerships. - Logistical Potential:
Transforming the community into a modern logistics hub through strategic location, industrial park development, and transport infrastructure modernization, fostering economic growth.
Sources
- Interviews with community representatives
- Official Blyzniuky Community website – bliznjuki-selrada.gov.ua
- Blyzniuky Communit Facebook page facebook.com
- Regional Media Slobidskyi Krai
- Local Media Nove Zhyttia
- Kharkiv.Suspilne
- Photo archive – photo