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Velyka Lepetykha Territorial Community
Kherson
Population:
The Velyka Lepetykha settlement territorial community is located on the territory of the Kakhovka district, Kherson region.
The total area of the territory is 630.5 km2
The population of the community as of January 1, 2022 was 11,961 people
The community includes 8 population centers and has its administrative center in the settlement of Velyka Lepetykha.
History
Velyka Lepetykha is a historical settlement with picturesque views, which traces its history from the 18th century. It has a rich history, the beginning of which can be traced back to the times of Zaporizhzhia Sich. Zaporizhzhia Cossacks’ winter quarters were located on these lands. They engaged in fishing and agriculture.
At the end of the 18th century, the lands were transferred by the tsarist government to French emigrant nobles, which led to the establishment of the settlement in 1792. The name comes from the Lepatykha river, on which the settlement itself stands.
In the early 20th century, the first enterprises appeared in the settlement: an oil mill, a sawmill, a stone and sand quarry, and mills, which employed 200 people.
During the Second World War, the life of Velyka Lepetykha was shaken by the Nazi occupation, which lasted from September 1941 to February 1944. During this time, many residents died at the hands of the Nazis.
And now the community is again under the occupationю – this time by russian troops – and is fighting for the right to life every day.
The community is also rich in historical and cultural sites, including obelisks of glory, a monument to Taras Shevchenko, three Orthodox churches and a Catholic church.
Dozens of Scythian burial mounds, ruins of the Left Bank Lepetykha Sich and landscape reserve “Bolgarska Balka” are located on the territory of the community.
One of the remarkable modern structures is the 104-meter-long bridge, built in 2008. It symbolizes unity and peace and starts many family stories of the community’s residents.
Economy and Welfare
Before the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine and the occupation of the community, 430 entrepreneurs operated on the territory of the settlement.
The agricultural sector occupied one of the main positions in the local economy, where mainly agricultural enterprises worked. The main type of activity was the cultivation of grain and leguminous crops, as well as sunflower.
The largest enterprises of the community included “Velyka Lepetykha Elevator”, an agricultural enterprise, Professional-KS LLC and Sima, a small-sized enterprise. At these enterprises, advanced soil treatment technologies were widely used, in particular, the application of organic fertilizers.
The products produced by the enterprises of the community were known throughout Ukraine. Grain was exported both within the country and abroad. They also produced the legendary flour of the highest grade, which was processed, threshed and packaged at local mills, and then sold throughout the country and exported abroad.
Manufacturing industry also played an important role in the community’s economy, shaping the labor market and providing revenue to budgets at all levels. There were three processing enterprises on the territory of the settlement, one of which was an oil mill, where sunflower oil and peat briquettes were produced. There was also a bakery in the community that baked its own bread.
Currently, due to the occupation of the Velyka Lepetykha community, the economy suffers a significant decline. All enterprises and agricultural lands were under the control of the occupying forces of the russian federation, which mercilessly exploited and plundered the resources of the region. A large part of business activity has been terminated and many residents have lost their jobs and livelihoods. Infrastructure and local businesses are subjected to systematic looting and destruction, and most manufactured goods and harvested crops are exported outside of Ukraine. This situation significantly complicates the lives of residents, causing a humanitarian crisis in the region and the country.
Community and War
On February 24, 2022, with the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, the Velyka Lepetykha territorial community found itself under russian occupation. Coastal population centers of the community are on the demarcation line, so they are subject to constant shelling and destruction.
Under the conditions of occupation, a number of problems arose, in particular, with social benefits, salaries and pensions. The shortage of essential goods and medicines was also acutely felt, and their prices rose significantly.
From the first days of the occupation, the leadership of the community remained at their workplaces, trying to overcome the panic and maintain the normal functioning of vital institutions. The community and local businessmen came together to organize the delivery of necessary medicines for the retired and seriously ill, to ensure the availability of yeast for baking bread, and to restore the operation of the mill and bakery. A wheat groats factory also resumed operations, helping to avert a food crisis. Free social bread was distributed, and low-income families were provided with food assistance.
Also, considerable attention was paid to ensuring the functioning of medical institutions. The Velyka Lepetykha community received help important for life and health. Although humanitarian aid did not cover all the needs of the community, it was a great achievement for the occupied territory.
After the first few months, in order to suppress pro-Ukrainian sentiments and mutual aid in the community, the occupiers and their special services began to exert pressure on local residents: people were kidnapped and thrown into basements and prisons. As a result of these events, almost half of the local population was forced to leave their homes, moving to the controlled territory of Ukraine and to European countries.
As a result of constant shelling by russian troops, both residential buildings and community-owned institutions are now destroyed. In particular, the Velyka Lepetykha Lyceum, as well as the premises of the Velyka Lepetykha Department of the State Executive Service suffered significant damage.
The destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam on June 6, 2023 was a larger-scale man-made and ecological disaster for the Velyka Lepetykha community. As a result, the Kakhovka reservoir became shallow to the level of the old channel of the Dnipro River, which left the largest population centers of the community – the settlement of Velyka Lepetykha, the village of Mala Lepetyha, the village of Kniaze-Hryhorivka – without drinking and technical water.
The community’s infrastructure, including water intakes, water transportation, and grain shipments, was destroyed. Logistic connection with the regional center was also lost due to the destroyed Cairo Dam. This will greatly complicate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the prompt response of emergency services from Kherson after the de-occupation of the community’s territory.
The destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam on June 6, 2023 was a larger-scale man-made and ecological disaster for the Velyka Lepetykha community. As a result, the Kakhovka reservoir became shallow to the level of the old channel of the Dnipro River, which left the largest population centers of the community – the settlement of Velyka Lepetykha, the village of Mala Lepetyha, the village of Kniaze-Hryhorivka – without drinking and technical water.
A significant part of the residents of Velyka Lepetykha community are military personnel who have been defending the Motherland since 2014. They continue to bravely fight for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, despite all the difficulties and trials that war brings. Their loyalty and courage are an important factor in the fight against the aggressor and support the morale of the community.
People of the Community
In September 2022, the Velyka Lepetykha settlement military administration was headed by Oleksandr Lozytkyi.
Mr. Lozytskyi actively supports volunteer initiatives and prepares the community for de-occupation by signing memorandums with charitable organizations and sister communities to restore the territory after the war. He also provides support for internally displaced persons and military personnel from the Velyka Lepetykha community.
Before the start of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, the Velyka Lepetykha community implemented a number of important projects. These included major renovations that embraced infrastructure upgrades to improve living conditions. Road surface repairs were also carried out, which contributed to the improvement of transport connections in the community.
In addition, public areas for recreation and leisure were created, which provided residents with more opportunities for social activity and cultural events, and the introduction of interactive technologies. These projects became important steps in the development of the community and improvement of the quality of life of its residents.
In February 2022, on the eve of the russian invasion, the long-awaited opening of a new school canteen, which was equipped with modern equipment and had an updated design, took place in the Velyka Lepetykha Base Lyceum. But the children were never able to take advantage of the new food space as the new dining hall, like many other objects of the community, fell victim to the aggressor’s rocket attacks.
Many clubs were opened for schoolchildren, such as folk dances, theater arts, music school, sports sections, modeling, vocals and much more. The community held various events for the population on various holidays and solemn events.
Currently, the Velyka Lepetykha community is under occupation, which makes the development of infrastructure projects impossible and significantly limits the implementation of plans.
Despite this, both the community and local authorities are actively preparing for de-occupation and the restoration of post-war life. They focus on establishing links with charities and sister communities that can provide the necessary support to rebuild the community after release. Plans are being developed to restore the infrastructure and ensure the livelihood of the community in order to restore normal living conditions for its residents as soon as possible.
Development Strategy
After the occupation, the main task will be the restoration of the functioning of authorities, social protection, medicine, electricity and water supply, as well as economic activity. The priorities will be to provide the population with food and basic necessities.
The development strategy until 2027 has been approved in the community, which provides for the development of agriculture, processing of agricultural products, horticulture, wholesale trade, as well as wind and solar energy. Considerable attention will be paid to attracting investments in the food industry, trade, tourism, recreation, and the creation of nature conservation areas.
In order to improve the investment climate, favorable conditions for local and foreign investors will be created in the community. The plans for the introduction of new technologies and energy-saving measures include, inter alia, the transition to alternative sources of heating. The community has significant natural resources, infrastructure facilities, and vacant land that can be offered for investment projects.
In order to prepare for de-occupation, the Velyka Lepetykha community has signed Memorandums of cooperation with charitable organizations and foundations. These memorandums will provide support in the reconstruction and development of the community, as well as contribute to socio-economic development after de-occupation.
List Sources
- Official website of the Velyka Lepetykha settlement territorial community
- Facebook page of the Velyka Lepetykha settlement community
- Facebook page of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Velyka Lepetykha District State Administration
- Official website of the Kniaze-Hryhorivka Lyceum
- Official website of the Velyka Lepetykha Base Lyceum
- Official website of the Velyka Lepetykha Lyceum