This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Pokrovsk community
Donetsk
Population:
Population – 82 388 (before the full scale Russian invasion).
Women – 44 605
Men – 37783
IDPs – 16560
The Pokrovsky territorial community includes 41 settlements, namely: 2 cities, 1 town, 7 settlements and 31 villages.
Pokrovsky community is located in the western part of Donetsk region, which is one of the largest agro-industrial communities in the region (agricultural land is over 88%).
History
Since the 60-s of the last century, the city has been one of the regional leaders and centers of Donetsk region. It is situated at the intersection of important roads and a railway junction and is recognized for its streamlined and compact urban area.
It shall be highlighted that it is here, in Pokrovsk, where the world-famous Carol of the Bells song or Shchedryk, was composed. The author of the song, a world-famous Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych lived in the city in 1904-1908. He worked on the second edition of the Carol of the Bells here in 1906-1908.
The composition was later on performed in dozens of cities in Western Europe, where it gained recognition. Eventually, the Carol of the Bells became one of the most popular Christmas songs in the world. Now it can be heard in all parts of the world in different languages, including English, German, Spanish, Japanese and many others.
The world-famous films like “Home Alone” and “Harry Potter” are among many films where the melody was used.
One of the Carol of the Bells, performed by the famous American Pentatonix band
The memorial plaques on the buildings of the railway school where he taught and the railway station were installed to commemorate the life of Leontovych in the city. There is also a sculpture of the composer at the entrance to the local Park, and one of the streets is named after him.
Natural resources
The community is rich in coal. However, the potential of the region is far beyond. The territory of the community consists of the most valuable fertile black soils.
Economy
The local economy is represented by a powerful industrial complex. The main industries are coal mining, machine-building, steel production, food processing and other industries.
In 2020 the largest number of employees in the community worked at coal mining enterprises, which constitute almost 70% of local industry. In general, there are three coal-mining enterprises – Pokrovske Mine Management PJSC, Krasnolymansk LLC (both privately owned) and Krasnolymansk Coal Company SE (state owned).
Community and the War
Pokrovsk is less than 100 km from occupied Donetsk and close to the front line. That is why it has been regularly a target of Russian shelling. Civilian victims of the shellings include: 5 mild, 6 medium and 9 heavy severity injuries.
On February 19, 2022, the shelling damaged the pumping station at the South Donbas water pipeline. As a result many cities, including Pokrovsk, were cut off from water supply.
In less than a month, on March 4, 2022, Russian troops attacked Pokrovsk with cluster jet rockets. Ignoring all international norms, the Russians targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
Pokrovsk also became one of the evacuation centers in Eastern Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the city has opened its doors to evacuated Ukrainians from the hot spots, including the city of Volnovakha. Some people were placed in Pokrovsk, some were transported to Western Ukraine.
Mayor
Since September 7 2022, by order of the President of Ukraine № 172/2022-rp Serhii Dobriak was appointed as the head of the Pokrovsk City Military Administration of Pokrovsk District of Donetsk region.
In addition to the powers assigned to local self-government bodies, Serhii Dobriak deals with military, law enforcement and mobilisation issues that have arisen infant of the community during the war.
Issues of the effectiveness of using the potential of the community are also not left aside.
The issue of water supplies being actively resolved through mine waters.
The military administration actively working on the creation of a strategy for the recovery of the Pokrovsk Community.
Considerable work is also being done with evacuated residents of the community who have left the territory of the region for safer ones in Ukraine.
Currently there are four humanitarian hubs’Yednannia’that provide assistance to Pokrovsk residents in Chernivtsi, Chervonohrad, Khust and Kropyvnytskyi.
The development strategy
After the War and the Victory, the community plans to return to its pre-war strategic plans for community development. They want to implement new alternative energy projects and build the Pokrovsk industrial park. This will help to restore the industrial potential of Donetsk region and ensure sustainable development of the community in the rapidly changing economic environment. The industrial park will also create new jobs and become a platform for the development of new industries.
Agriculture is also important for the community – pig farming, cereals, sunflowers, corn and canola growing are among the most developed agriculture industries. The community plans to boost their development in future as well.
Finally, Pokrovsk places high expectations on the development of tourism in the community. There are plans to develop tourist routes dedicated to the life and activities of Mykola Leontovych in the community.
Sister-cities
Ivano-Frankivsk ( Ukraine)
Tulchyn ( Ukraine)
Zugdidi ( Georgia)
cooperation on e-governance with Olsztyn ( Poland) was launched in 2021
The Faces of Pokrovsk
Local citizens, workers of communal enterprises and volunteers maintained the functioning of many communities in Ukraine during hostilities alongside with local governance representatives. Pokrovsk is no exception.
Shortly after the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, on February 26, a 24/7 volunteer headquarters was opened in the community.
In addition, local volunteers actively helped to evacuate and temporarily accommodate the IDPs from other communities.
Video of Orbita broadcasting company about volunteers from Pokrovsk, helping evacuate people
Local volunteers are also actively involved in resolving humanitarian issues. Among them is Victoriia Chernohor from Pokrovsk, who is going to the forefront with a humanitarian mission.
Employees of communal utility companies continue working despite difficulties. Thus, in May, employees of the local Zelenbud communal enterprise planted more than 3,000 seedlings of 5 petunia varieties in the community.
Sources:
Official website of Pokrovsk city council
Analytical and descriptive chapters of the Development Strategy of the Pokrovsk city community;
Press service of the joint Forces Operation