Chornomorka Territorial Community

History

The territory of the community features a unique archaeological site – Berezan Island. Founded in the 7th century BCE by Miletian Greeks, it is considered one of the oldest Greek settlements in the Northern Black Sea region. The island changed names multiple times and played a strategic role in various historical periods – from Kyivan Rus to Turkish times. In 1787, Cossacks under Anton Holovatyi captured Turkish fortifications here, an important event in the Russo-Turkish War.

Today, Berezan is a unique and uninhabited island, a popular tourist site in Mykolaiv Oblast. Likely, in ancient times, Berezan was connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, part of which still exists today – the Laherna Spit.

Another notable site is Pervomaiskyi Island (Maiskyi Island, or formerly Batareinyi Island). This artificial island with underground casemates was built to protect the entrance to the Dnipro-Buh Estuary. During World War II, it was part of the Ochakiv Fortified District and held out against Nazi forces for a long time.

Before the full-scale invasion, Berezan and Maiskyi Islands were popular tourist locations associated with archaeology, history, and legends.

Economy and Welfare

The community’s economic complex combines agricultural, industrial, and tourism sectors. The foundation is agriculture, particularly the cultivation of grains (wheat, barley, maize, millet), industrial crops (sunflower, rapeseed), vegetables, and fruits. Viticulture, horticulture, and livestock farming (meat-dairy products, sheep farming) are well developed.

In 2021, 50 agricultural enterprises, farming households, and over 280 private entrepreneurs operated in the community. There is also production of wine products, marine molluscs, and “green” energy (wind and solar).

Small and medium-sized businesses are represented by trade and services. During the summer season, additional trading points and catering establishments open for tourists.

The Chornomorka community operates general secondary and preschool education institutions that meet the basic needs of children and youth. These include schools in the villages of Chornomorka, Kamianka, Rivne, and others, as well as preschool institutions. Despite wartime challenges, educational institutions continue to operate, adapting to new conditions and combining in-person and distance learning.

The community actively develops the educational environment, introduces new educational programmes, creates clubs and extracurricular initiatives, and supports children’s participation in cultural and sports events.

The Community and the War

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the Chornomorka Rural Territorial Community found itself on the front line. Due to its proximity to the Black Sea coast and the city of Ochakiv, it constantly faced rocket and artillery shelling. Social facilities, schools, kindergartens, residential buildings, and infrastructure were damaged. The water supply system suffered significantly: shell hits disabled pumping equipment and damaged water storage reservoirs.

Despite the difficult conditions, the community did not stop functioning. Humanitarian aid distribution points were established, where people received food, medicines, and essentials. In the villages of Chornomorka, Kamianka, and Rivne, Invincibility Points opened, serving as true shelters during blackouts: people could warm up, charge phones, and access the internet.

Community residents actively join the volunteer movement – collecting aid for the military, weaving camouflage nets, and organising support campaigns for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The war has united the residents of the Chornomorka community, making them more resilient and ready to fight for their future.

People of the Community

Since 2002, the Chornomorka community has been led by Andrii Dmytrenko – a native of Chornomorka village and long-time village head. Under his leadership, the community has gone through formation, development, and endured the most difficult wartime periods. He pays special attention to infrastructure development, improving conditions for education and healthcare, as well as social protection of residents.

The community is renowned for its hardworking people who carefully preserve traditions and develop modern areas of activity. Local residents work in agriculture, fishing, viticulture, develop craft production and entrepreneurship. Youth joins cultural, educational, and sports initiatives, organises events for children, and supports the volunteer movement.

The true pride of the community is its defenders – servicemen fighting on the front lines. The memory of fallen heroes is honoured in all villages of the community; their names will forever remain a symbol of courage and love for their native land.

The Chornomorka community is a community of strong, responsible, and sincere people who know how to support each other and, even in the most difficult times, find strength for reconstruction and development.

Development Strategy

The Chornomorka community has a favourable geographical location with access to the Black Sea and estuaries, creating great potential for tourism, recreation, business, and investments. The community’s strategic tasks include:

• Development of the agricultural sector and craft production;
• Support for small and medium-sized businesses;
• Revival of tourism projects (“Chornomorska Riviera”);
  
• Creation of modern transport infrastructure;
  
• Development of “green” energy;
• Improvement of medical, educational, and cultural services;
• Enhancing investment attractiveness, including the idea of a deep-water seaport in Chornomorka.
  

Special attention is paid to residents’ safety, civil protection, and ensuring stability under martial law.

Sources

• Strategic Plan for the Restoration and Development of the Chornomorka Rural Territorial Community of Mykolaiv Oblast for the Period until 2027. 
• Article “Pervomaiskyi Island” wikipedia.org