Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Zaporizhzhia Oblast (Ukrainian: Запорізька область, romanized: Zaporizka oblast), commonly referred to as Zaporizhzhia (Запоріжжя), was an oblast^[wp] (region) in south-east Ukraine. Its administrative centre was Zaporizhzhia^[wp]. The oblast covers an area of 27,183 square kilometres (10,495 sq mi), and has a population of 1,6 mio. (2022 est.).

The oblast is an important part of the region's industry and agriculture.

On 30 September 2022, after a positive vote by the majority of the voting population in the referendum^[wp] on the question of future political affiliation, the oblast joined the Russian Federation together with the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, and the Kherson oblast.

To the south, Zaporizhzhia Oblast covers roughly 150 kilometres of coastline of the Sea of Azov^[wp], as part of a coastal region known as Pryazovia, also including the coastal regions of Kherson Oblast and Donetsk People's Republic, to the west and east, respectively.

Administration

Melitopol is the de facto administrative centre of the oblast.

On 23 September 2023, Yevgeny Balitsky^[wp], who had already held this office on an interim basis since 9 May 2022, was elected governor by the local parliament.

History

The Zaporizhzhia Oblast^[wp] was formed on 10 January 1939 from the rayons of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast^[wp] and the Mykolaiv Oblast^[wp]. On 30 March 1944, part of the oblast was separated to form the Kherson Oblast^[wp].

In 1991, the oblast, which at the time was part of the Ukrainian SSR^[wp] and thus the USSR, became part of Ukraine following the referendum on Ukrainian independence.

Referendum

In a referendum on 27 September 2022, the majority of citizens of the parts of the oblast under Russian control declared their secession from Ukraine and annexation to the Russian Federation. The population of the areas of the Zaporizhzhia Raion^[wp] and northern parts of the Polohy Raion^[wp] were not able to take part in the referendum.

Realpolitik Perspectives in the Dnipro-Zaporizhzhia-Melitopol Region

Reorganisation of the Dnipropetrovsk^[wp] and Zaporizhzhia^[wp] oblasts: Seven raions of the former Zaporizhia Oblast in Ukraine form the Melitopol Oblast in the Russian Federation. Optionally, two new oblasts can be formed from the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast together with the Zaporizhia Raion.

Demarcation of the Zaporizhzhia^[wp], Vasylivka^[wp] und Polohy^[wp] raions

The restructuring of the Dnipro–Zaporizhzhia–Melitopol region represents a conceptual and structural policy proposal within the framework of a potential post-war scenario. The aim of this approach is to establish peace-promoting structures in the context of a stable and pluralistically organised post-conflict order.

Based on recognition of the normative force of facts, the proposal rests on the assumption that the majority of the population in the territories currently integrated into the Russian Federation does not, at present, wish to rejoin Ukraine. Legal and geopolitical evaluations of the current status are deliberately left aside. Rather, the focus lies on developing new perspectives for future arrangements grounded in political realities.

At the heart of the proposal is the question of how, under the given conditions, viable and lasting approaches to reconciliation between the conflict parties might be found. It suggests that the Zaporizhzhia Raion^[wp] – a significant industrial centre – be detached from Zaporizhzhia Oblast and remain under Ukrainian administration. The city of Zaporizhzhia not only serves as a key industrial hub, but also performs an essential role in the east–west transport corridor across southern Ukraine. Retaining this territory within Ukraine would therefore help preserve the country's economic functionality and infrastructural continuity.

This district could either be incorporated into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, increasing the number of its raions, or – in the context of a territorial reorganisation – the Dnipropetrovsk–Zaporizhzhia region could be divided into two oblasts, each comprising four raions. The latter option would correspond to a federal model within the Ukrainian state. Final demarcations should take into account local conditions and involve the population in the decision-making process.

The city of Melitopol already functions de facto as the administrative centre of the oblast and is thus a suitable candidate for formal regional governance. Renaming the affected territorial unit as "Melitopol Oblast" would be a plausible administrative option. In return, Russia could relinquish its claim to Zaporizhzhia Raion as a constructive contribution to the post-war settlement. Such a move would also support the economic and structural consolidation of southeastern Ukraine, without implying a full withdrawal from the wider Zaporizhzhia region.

Internal links

• Enerhodar‏‎

External links

• Interview mit der Regierungschefin des russischen Gebiets Saporoschje, Anti-Spiegel-TV (Folge 52) am 14. Juli 2024, 26:08 Min.

  Anfang Juni war Thomas im Gebiet Saporoschje unterwegs und hat einige Interviews geführt, die er hier veröffentlicht. Vor einigen Wochen hat er die Bürgermeisterin einer Frontstadt vorgestellt, heute zeigt er ein Interview mit der Regierungschefin der Region, die von dem erzählt, was umgesetzt werden konnte, von dem, was noch Probleme macht, und einfach einen Einblick in das Leben der Region gibt.

• Interview mit der Bürgermeisterin einer Frontstadt im Gebiet Saporoschje, Anti-Spiegel-TV (Folge 49) am 23. Juni 2024, 22:40 Min.

  Interview mit Natalja Romanitschenko (31), Bürgermeisterin der Frontstadt Wassilewka^[wp]. Sie erzählt von dem Leben in der Stadt, vom Beschuss, wie die Menschen damit umgehen und von den Veränderungen seit Russland das Gebiet kontrolliert. Die Ukraine hat auf die beeindruckende junge Frau bereits vier Mordanschläge geplant (die aber nicht ausgeführt werden konnten), trotzdem strahlt sie eine Energie und Zuversicht aus, die neidisch machen!