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Rubizhansk Territorial Community
Luhansk
Population:
Rubizhne urban territorial community was formed in June 2020, located in the western part of Luhansk region on the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets River.
The area of the territory is 403.3 km².
The city of Rubizhne is the administrative center of the community, which includes 13 nearby villages.
As of 01.01.2022, the population of the community was 58.8 thousand people, of which:
56.1 thousand – city residents,
3.6 thousand – rural residents.
As of 01.12.2024, 6432 internally displaced persons were registered, of which: women – 3145 people, men – 1938 people, and also – 1349 children.
History
The history of the city and its name Rubizhne date back to the end of the 16th century, when the Donetsk guards were set up and the Ukrainian defensive line, the Rubizh post, was built in the 1820s on the territory of the “Wild Field” of the Ukrainian defensive line.
The development of the city in the late 19th century and early 20th century was directly related to the development of the aniline dye industry, the construction of three chemical plants and the Lysychansk-Kupyansk railway near the settlement.
The proximity of coal mines and coke oven enterprises provided cheap fuel and raw materials. Sandy soils, large deposits of limestone, chalk and table salt, the proximity of the Siverskyi Donets River, small rivers and reservoirs, and railway connections contributed to the rapid industrialization of the territory and its development.
The constant influx of labor not only from the surrounding villages, but also from other territories gave a powerful impetus to the active development of the settlement.
Over the century, the city grew and developed, its human and production potential increased.
Economy and Welfare
Until February 24, 2022, the Rubizhansk community was a powerful center of chemical, pulp and paper, light industry, a logistics transport hub of the region, with a developed modern medical, socio-cultural and sports infrastructure, and was among the three most developed communities of the Luhansk region.
The products of PJSC “Rubizhansk Cardboard and Packaging Plant” were in demand in various industries of Ukraine, in particular, food, pharmaceutical and chemical, and its international partners from European and Asian countries. Relocated to Kyiv.
LLC “Mikrohim” – a pharmaceutical company, carried out the development, research, production and sale of high-quality medicines, introduced original ideas in pharmacy, in particular innovative drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Resumed operations in Kyiv.
At the beginning of 2022, 28 educational institutions and 19 cultural institutions were operating in the educational and cultural sphere of the city. Sports development was provided by a children’s and youth sports school and a physical education and sports complex.
Today, educational institutions in the community operate remotely, and the Inclusive Resource Center provides support to children with special educational needs.
Community and War
The industrial city was completely destroyed, there are practically no surviving buildings, there are cemeteries in the courtyards.
The heroic 77 days of defense and resistance became the first outpost of Luhansk Oblast and a symbol of resilience, courage and strength.
Looted, burned – this is what Rubizhne looks like now.
A humanitarian hub “My Luhansk Region” has been created in Vinnytsia – a space for communication, psychological, medical and social support, as well as solving employment problems and humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons of the Luhansk region.
Meetings, thematic discussions, festive events, master classes are also organized and held, and children are prepared for school.
There are many stories of indomitability in the community. These stories are not only about business, sports, but also about faith, courage and an indomitable spirit. And here are a few of them
AGK Ukraine LLC became a support for the city’s residents during the fighting, providing pharmaceutical packaging, shelter, water, food and communications. The company’s founder, Igor Bondarenko, believes in the future, striving to use the potential of biochemistry and intelligence to rebuild the country.
Having relocated to the city of Sheptytskyi, Lviv region, LLC “AGK Ukraine” attracts international grants, creates innovative solutions in critical industries that are absent in the world, consumes 50% of green energy in the production cycle, has an import substitution project for 15 million UAH/year, which saves 2 million dollars/year. The production site meets the requirements of international standards for manufacturers of pharmaceutical primary packaging and has created the possibility of producing sterile packaging.
LLC “Rubizhanska Pantyhose Manufactory” lost its production facilities and warehouses with raw materials and finished products during active hostilities. The director of the company – Gennady Misyurenko, with the support of international partners, ensured the relocation and launch of the company in Lviv, which continues to produce and supply high-quality products to consumers in Ukraine and abroad.
Mykola Barannik is an Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine in powerlifting, a multiple winner of the World and European Championships and an honorary citizen of Rubizhne. During his career, which began in 2007, Mykola has set more than 50 records of Ukraine and won numerous international awards. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, the athlete moved to the city of Vyshneve, Kyiv region, and continuing to train, he won gold twice at the World Championships in Lithuania in 2023 and in Iceland in 2024. Mykola dreams of returning to Rubizhne to revive the powerlifting section and inspire young people with his example of strength, will and indomitability.
Community People
Andriy Yurchenko has been the head of the Rubizhne City Military Administration since March 31, 2022. From the first days of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he stood in defense of Rubizhne, organizing the city’s defense in conditions of intense fighting, and after being appointed head of the military administration, he began rebuilding the work of local government from scratch in the city of Dnipro and ensures the effective work of the local government body.
In April 2024, at the 92nd meeting of the Executive Council of the Union of Baltic Cities in Riga, the city of Rubizhne was accepted as an associated city of the Union of Baltic Cities and cooperation with UBC member cities.
The Center for Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation of the Rubizhansk Central City Hospital of the Rubizhansk City Council was opened in Kharkiv in 2023. The center combines modern medical and rehabilitation services, offering, in particular, innovative treatment of complex diseases of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
A project for the development and overhaul of the Center has been developed, which is presented at the 3rd international exhibition-conference ReBuild Ukraine:
Health & Rehabilitation in Warsaw.
Among the important projects is the construction of a complex of temporary residential and public buildings, shelters and utility networks for internally displaced persons in the village of Batrad, Zakarpattia region with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Development Strategy
The main goal is to create conditions and lay the foundation for the return of residents to the community, restore the economy, and rebuild infrastructure.
The main areas for achieving this goal are aimed at:
- Supporting displaced residents: creating conditions for the integration of internally displaced persons in new communities, providing social and educational services, and organizing psychological support.
- Preservation of community identity: implementing cultural initiatives that maintain ties with their native community, organizing thematic events and programs to preserve common traditions.
- Preparing for recovery: developing plans for infrastructure and social projects, inventorying damaged property, searching for partners and sources of funding for reconstruction.
- Attracting resources and partners: active cooperation with international organizations, foundations, and governments of other countries to receive technical, financial, and expert assistance.
- Human resource development: creating educational and professional programs for community residents, supporting small businesses and self-employment.
Sources:
- Official website of the Rubizhna City Military Administration
- Official Facebook page of the Rubizhna City Military Administration