{{short description|City in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine}} {{Multiple issues| {{Expand Ukrainian|topic=geo|date=January 2023}} {{Expand Russian|topic=geo|date=August 2022}} }} {{Infobox settlement | name = Popasna | native_name = {{native name|uk|Попасна|italics=no}} | settlement_type = City | total_type = | image_skyline = Залізничний вокзал міста Попасна та пішохідний мост.jpg | image_caption = Popasna railway station in 2019 | image_flag = Flag of Popasna.png | image_shield = Герб Попасной.png | image_map = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flagu|Ukraine}} | subdivision_type1 = Oblast | subdivision_name1 = Luhansk Oblast | subdivision_type2 = Raion | subdivision_name2 = Sievierodonetsk Raion | subdivision_type3 = Hromada | subdivision_name3 = Popasna urban hromada | coordinates = {{Coord|48|38|00|N|38|22|48|E|region:UA_type:city(25842)|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = Ukraine Luhansk Oblast#Ukraine | pushpin_relief = y | pushpin_label_position = bottom | elevation_m = | population_as_of = 2023 | population_total = ~200 <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/goroda-kotoryh-ne-stalo-chto-ostalos-ot-naselennyh-punktov-na-vostoke-ukrainy/32445615.html |title=Города, которых не стало. Что осталось от населенных пунктов на востоке Украины после "освобождения" российской армией<!-- Заголовок добавлен ботом --> |access-date=2023-07-17 |archive-date=2023-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717130337/https://www.currenttime.tv/a/goroda-kotoryh-ne-stalo-chto-ostalos-ot-naselennyh-punktov-na-vostoke-ukrainy/32445615.html |url-status=live}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = | established_date = 1878 | established_title = Founded | established_date1 = 1938 | established_title1 = City status | blank_name = | website = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | mapframe-wikidata = yes }}
'''Popasna''' ({{Langx|uk|Попасна}}, {{IPA|uk|pɔˈpasnɐ|IPA|LL-Q8798 (ukr)-Gzhegozh-Попасна.wav}}; {{langx|ru|Попасная|Popasnaya}}) is a city in Sievierodonetsk Raion, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Popasna urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Автор |title=Децентралізація в Україні |url=https://decentralization.gov.ua/newgromada/4169 |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=decentralization.gov.ua}}</ref> In 2018, it was estimated that it had a population of 20,600 people.<ref name=census2018>{{Cite web |title=Статистичний збірник «Чисельність наявного населення України» на 1 січня 2018 року |url=https://www.ukrstat.gov.ua/druk/publicat/kat_u/2018/zb/06/zb_chnn2018pdf.pdf}}</ref>
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the city was largely destroyed as a result of fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Since the end of the battle on 8 May 2022, it has been occupied by Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Українські військові відійшли від Попасної на міцніші позиції, - голова Луганської ОВА {{!}} Новини Еспресо |url=https://espreso.tv/ukrainski-viyskovi-vidiyshli-vid-popasnoi-na-mitsnishi-pozitsii-golova-luganskoi-ova |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=espreso.tv |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Людські голови на паркані. Попасна поринула у середньовіччя |url=https://popasnaya.city/articles/229035/lyudski-golovi-na-parkani-popasna-porinula-u-serednovichchya |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=Попасна.City |language=uk}}</ref>
== History == === Founding === Popasna was founded in the late 1870s as a stop on the newly constructed railway connecting the Donbas with industrial centers in more northern parts of what was then the Russian Empire. Construction of the railway station itself began in 1878, and basic housing was built for the workers to live in. By 1890, Popasna was connected by rail to major trade hubs like Debaltseve, Bakhmut, and Lysychansk. Popasna itself became a rail hub, and grew. By 1903, 3,735 people lived in Popasna.<ref name=ssr/>
=== In the Soviet Union === In December 1924, Popasna became the administrative center of Popasna Raion, inside Bakhmut Okruha, Donets Governorate.<ref>{{cite wikisource|title=ЗУРРСУУ/1924/1/49/Про зміни в адміністраційно-територіяльному поділі Донеччини|wslanguage=uk}}</ref> In February 1932, Popasna Raion was abolished, in connection with the establishment of the oblasts of Ukraine. Popasna itself was transferred to Kadiivka Raion.<ref>{{cite wikisource|title=ЗЗРРСУУ/1932/5/Про утворення областей на території УСРР|wslanguage=uk}}</ref> At some point in the 1930s, Popasna was renamed ''Imeni L.M. Kahanovycha'' ({{langx|uk|Імені Л. М. Кагановича}}; {{lit|[settlement] named after L.M. Kaganovich}}).{{cn|date=December 2023}} In June 1936, the settlement became the center of Kahanovych Raion within Donetsk Oblast.<ref>{{cite wikisource|title=ЗЗРРСУУ/1936/34/Про утворення Боково-Антрацитівського, Дзержинського, Кагановичського, Сніжнянського та Харцизького районів Донецької обл…|wslanguage=uk}}</ref> On 3 June 1938, a large portion of Donetsk Oblast, including Kahanovych Raion and the settlement at its center, was split off to create Voroshilovhrad Oblast (now Luhansk Oblast).<ref>{{cite wikisource|wslanguage=ru|Указ Президиума ВС СССР от 03.06.1938 о разделении Донецкой области УССР на Сталинскую и Ворошиловградскую области}}</ref> The settlement was given city status on 24 October 1938.<ref name=ssr>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Попасна, Луганська область |encyclopedia=Історія міст і сіл Української РСР |url=https://ukrssr.com.ua/lugan/pervomaysk/popasna-luganska-oblast |language=uk}}</ref>
During World War II, in 1941–1943, the German occupiers operated a Nazi prison in the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesarchiv.de/zwangsarbeit/haftstaetten/index.php?action=2.2&tab=7&id=781|title=Gefängnis Popasna|website=Bundesarchiv.de|access-date=9 April 2022|language=de}}</ref> On 12 June 1944, Kahanovych Raion was renamed to Popasna Raion,<ref>{{cite wikisource|title=Указ ПВР УРСР від 12.6.1944 «Про перейменування Кагановичського району, Ворошиловградської області та Орджонікідзевського району…»|wslanguage=uk}}</ref> and the settlement itself returned to the name Popasna.{{cn|date=December 2023}} On 30 December 1962, the raion was abolished again, and Popasna was transferred to the newly created Lysychansk Raion.<ref>{{cite wikisource|title=Указ Президії Верховної Ради УРСР від 30.12.1962 «Про укрупнення сільських районів Української РСР»|wslanguage=uk}}</ref> On 30 December 1977, Lysychansk Raion was renamed to Popasna Raion, and its seat was moved from Lysychansk to Popasna.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://search.ligazakon.ua/l_doc2.nsf/link1/UP772882.html |access-date=2021-10-05 |website=search.ligazakon.ua |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814142311/http://search.ligazakon.ua/l_doc2.nsf/link1/UP772882.html |archive-date=2019-08-14 |script-title=uk:Указ Президії Верховної Ради №2882-IX от 30.12.1977, Про перенесення центру Лисичанського району Ворошиловградської області в місто Попасну і перейменування району на Попаснянський. |trans-title=Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet No. 2882-IX dated 30 December 1977, On the transfer of the centre of Lysychansk Raion of Voroshilovgrad Oblast to the city of Popasna and the renaming of the district to Popasnyanskyi.}}</ref> A local newspaper began circulating in Popasna in March 1979.<ref>№ 2923. Знамя Октября // Летопись периодических и продолжающихся изданий СССР 1986 - 1990. Часть 2. Газеты. М., «Книжная палата», 1994. стр.382</ref>
===21st century=== {{further|Battle of Popasna}}
On 19 June 2014, during the early stages of the war in Donbas, Ukrainian forces reportedly secured Popasna from pro-Russian separatists.<ref>(19 June 2014). [http://www.euronews.com/newswires/2558812-ukraine-forces-fight-fierce-battle-with-eastern-separatists/ Ukraine rebels speak of heavy losses in battle against government troops], Reuters.<br>{{in lang|uk}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/20/7029640/ In the National Security Council said that the border is still a hole], Ukrainska Pravda (20 June 2014).</ref> On 8 July 2014, separatist militants retook control of the town.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-07/ukraine-seeks-liquidation-of-rebel-bases-in-battle-torn-east.html Ukraine Moves to Destroy Rebel Bases in East, Ruling Out Cease-Fire], Bloomberg News (8 July 2014).</ref><ref>{{in lang|uk}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/07/9/7031457/ Luhansk terrorists arranged himself a new headquarters in Popasna], Ukrainska Pravda (9 July 2014).</ref> On 22 July 2014, the Ukrainian Donbas Battalion took back the town from the separatists,<ref name=slllc>[http://ukrainianweek.com/Society/142933 We Can Win After All], The Ukrainian Week (6 August 2015).</ref><ref>{{in lang|uk}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/07/22/7032683 Popasna released, there hung Ukrainian flags], Ukrainska Pravda (22 July 2014).</ref> who abandoned the town that day.<ref name=slllc/> Afterwards, the city came under periodic artillery shelling and rocket attacks as well as occasional ground assaults from the separatists for years.<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/luhansk-authorities-say-militants-shell-popasna-injure-ukrainian-soldier-391489.html Luhansk authorities say militants shell Popasna, injure Ukrainian soldier], Kyiv Post (19 June 2015).</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/ukrainian-soldiers-in-luhansk-aware-on-shelling-on-independence-day-396376.html Ukrainian soldiers in Luhansk Oblast's Popasna brace for Independence Day attack], Kyiv Post (23 August 2015).</ref><ref>[http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/1911582-militants-fire-mortar-shells-on-popasna-town.html Militants fire mortar shells on Popasna town], Ukrinform (10 November 2015).</ref><ref>{{in lang|uk}} [https://hromadskeradio.org/news/2016/10/27/policiya-zafiksuvala-naslidky-obstrilu-zhytlovyh-kvartaliv-popasnoyi-video Police recorded the effects of shelling residential neighborhoods Popasna - video], Hromadske Radio (27 October 2016).</ref><ref>[https://www.unian.info/m/war/2276106-escalation-in-donbas-30-attacks-on-ukraine-troops-3-wias-in-last-day.html Escalation in Donbas: 30 attacks on Ukraine troops, 3 WIA's in last day], UNIAN (3 December 2017).</ref><ref>{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/05/5/7292602/ The mercenaries fired a rocket, which caused a fire near Popasna], Ukrainska Pravda (5 May 2021).</ref> Landmines were also laid near Popasna.<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/at-least-2353-soldiers-killed-in-russias-war-against-ukraine-398624.html At least 2,353 soldiers killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine], Kyiv Post (24 September 2015).</ref> By March 2015, the city only had two stores with some basic products and one pharmacy and residents received food distribution through a volunteer organization.<ref name="Popasna suffer humanitarian crisis"/> Residents also complained about having to pay for public utilities and for having been cut off from social benefits supplied by the Ukrainian government.<ref name="Popasna suffer humanitarian crisis">[http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/people-in-popasna-suffer-humanitarian-crisis-382386.html People in Luhansk Oblast's Popasna suffer humanitarian crisis], Kyiv Post (2 March 2015).</ref>
In early March 2022, during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Popasna was attacked by Russian forces.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-21 |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, APRIL 21 |work=The Institute for the Study of War |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-21}}</ref> In the fighting near Popasna, Russian forces reportedly damaged or destroyed every property in the town center. Governor of Luhansk Oblast, Serhiy Haidai, claimed that Russian forces were "removing [Popasna] from the map of Luhansk region".<ref>{{Citation |title=Drone footage shows how Russians destroyed one Ukrainian town in savage battle |date=4 May 2022 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/04/europe/ukraine-drone-footage-popasna-intl/index.html |publication-date=5 May 2022 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> On 7 May 2022, Haidai confirmed that Ukrainian troops were forced to retreat from the city of Popasna to take up more fortified positions, adding "everything was destroyed there". Ukrainian forces announced that they had withdrawn from Popasna, allowing Russia to fully occupy the town.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-08 |title=Ukraine troops retreat from Popasna, Luhansk governor confirms |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/chechnyas-kadyrov-says-his-soldiers-control-popasna-ukraine-disagrees-2022-05-08/ |access-date=2022-05-08}}</ref> Russia's Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov stated that his troops now control most of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/chechnyas-kadyrov-says-his-soldiers-control-popasna-ukraine-disagrees-2022-05-08/|title=Ukraine troops retreat from Popasna, Luhansk governor confirms|website=reuters.com|date=8 May 2022}}</ref> Photographic evidence supplied by the governor of Luhansk Oblast has revealed that Russian forces had beheaded and dismembered a Ukrainian soldier and displayed his body parts stuck on poles in the captured city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-06 |title=Footage appears to show fresh atrocity against Ukrainian PoW |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/06/footage-appears-show-head-ukrainian-pow-stuck-pole |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> On 15 August 2022, it was reported that Ukrainian forces hit the regional headquarters of the Wagner Group after a pro-Kremlin reporter revealed its location at Mironovskaya 12 in a photo.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62547403 | title=Ukraine hits Russian Wagner mercenary HQ in east | work=BBC News | date=15 August 2022 |access-date=11 December 2022}}</ref>
Two months after the battle of Popasna, a Reuters reporter toured the town in July and reported that the town looked entirely deserted by both humans and animals, with nearly all of its buildings either destroyed or heavily damaged.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Babington |first1=Deepa |title=Russian-held Popasna in Ukraine is a ghost town after end of siege |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-held-popasna-ukraine-is-ghost-town-after-end-siege-2022-07-14/ |access-date=12 December 2022 |date=2022-07-14 |quote=On a visit to Popasna on Thursday by a Reuters reporter, the town looked deserted, with nearly all apartment buildings either destroyed or heavily damaged. Barren streets bore no sign of people or animals.}}</ref> The leader of the Russian Luhansk People's Republic stated there is no point in rebuilding the city destroyed during the Russian assault.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coynash |first=Halya |date=2022-08-15 |title=Russia razes Ukrainian city to the ground and says 'there's no point' to rebuilding it |url=https://khpg.org//en/1608811032 |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group}}</ref> In December 2022 Russian forces were reported to have constructed multiple lines of defence to the West of Popasna to blunt any Ukrainian attacks. These defences included "Dragon's teeth", trenches, and pillboxes.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hernandez |first1=Marco |last2=Holder |first2=Josh |date=2022-12-14 |title=Defenses Carved Into the Earth |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/14/world/europe/russian-trench-fortifications-in-ukraine.html |access-date=2022-12-29 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Popasna's status as an independent city was abolished in March 2023 by the Russian occupation authorities due to the extent of the destruction. They have subsequently incorporated Popasna into the administration for Pervomaisk, another Russian-occupied city in Ukraine. They also abolished their version of Popasna Raion completely.<ref name="Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty">{{Cite news |last1=Kuzmenko |first1=Svitlana |last2=Schreck |first2=Carl|date=2023-06-11 |title=The Ukrainian Cities Obliterated In Russia's Self-Proclaimed 'Liberation' |language=en-US |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-destroyed-cities-russia-war/32454453.html}}</ref>
== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations | title= Population history | align = right | direction = | percentages = pagr | cols = 2 | 1903 | 3735<ref name=ssr/> | 1912 | 6000<ref name=ssr/> | 1939 | 26000<ref name=ssr/> | 1968 | 30000<ref name=ssr/><!-- 1968 was the original publication date --> | 2001 | 25842<ref name=towel/> | 2018 | 20600<ref name=census2018/> | 2023 | 200 <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/goroda-kotoryh-ne-stalo-chto-ostalos-ot-naselennyh-punktov-na-vostoke-ukrainy/32445615.html |title=Города, которых не стало. Что осталось от населенных пунктов на востоке Украины после "освобождения" российской армией<!-- Заголовок добавлен ботом --> |access-date=2023-07-17 |archive-date=2023-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717130337/https://www.currenttime.tv/a/goroda-kotoryh-ne-stalo-chto-ostalos-ot-naselennyh-punktov-na-vostoke-ukrainy/32445615.html |url-status=live}}</ref> }}
Ethnic composition according to the 2001 Ukrainian census:<ref name=towel>{{cite web|url=https://datatowel.in.ua/pop-composition/ethnic-cities|title=Національний склад міст за переписом 2001 року|website=Datatowel.in.ua}}</ref> {{bar box|title=Ethnic groups in Popasna|titlebar=#ddd|left1=|right1=percent|bars={{bar percent|Ukrainians|dodgerblue|77.54}} {{bar percent|Russians|purple|21.12}} {{bar percent|Belarusians|red|0.42}} {{bar percent|Armenians|brown|0.13}} {{bar percent|Georgians|yellow|0.10}}}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Popasna}}
{{Luhansk Oblast}} {{Authority control}} {{Portal bar|Ukraine|Geography}}
Category:Bakhmutsky Uyezd Category:Cities in Luhansk Oblast Category:Populated places destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Populated places established in the Russian Empire Category:Sievierodonetsk Raion Category:Yekaterinoslav Governorate