Dvorichna settlement hromada
Дворічанська селищна громада
Coat of arms of Dvorichna settlement hromada
Coat of arms
See caption
Ukrainian-language map of the settlement hromada
Coordinates: 49°51′N 37°41′E / 49.850°N 37.683°E / 49.850; 37.683
Country Ukraine
Oblast Kharkiv Oblast
Raion Kupiansk Raion
FoundedJune 12, 2020 (2020-06-12)
Administrative centerDvorichna
Government
[1]
 • Head of the HromadaTurbaba Halyna Hryhorivna ("Halyna Turbaba") (non-partisan)
Area
 • Total1,109.1 km2 (428.2 sq mi)
Population
 (April 2023)[lower-alpha 1]
 • Total1,100
 • Density0.99/km2 (2.6/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
62702[3]
Number of settlements55
KATOTTH codeUA63080050000048455[1]
EDRPOU code04397037[3]
Websitedvor-selrada.gov.ua

The Dvorichna settlement hromada (Ukrainian: Дворічанська селищна громада, romanized: Dvorichanska selyshchna hromada, Russian: Дворичанская поселковая община) is a hromada in the Kupiansk Raion, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. The hromada was created on 12 June 2020, and is centrally administered by the urban-type settlement of Dvorichna, being the local government for 55 settlements. The pre-war population of the hromada was small, and the economy was largely agriculture-based with little industry. As of 2023, the hromada remains about half occupied by Russian forces as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and has been severely depopulated because of a mandatory evacuation that has been issued for all civilians in recaptured areas.

Overview

The hromada is largely composed of flat, agricultural land, with virtually no industrial areas. In line with this, the hromada is also largely undeveloped, only gaining access to electricity more recently, and remains with little outside communication or internet.[2] Because of this, while the hromada does have an official website, it is sparsely updated with new information.[4]

Before Russia's invasion in 2022, income in the hromada came entirely from agriculture, animal husbandry, accounting, education, medicine, and administration.[2] The hromada did notably have a successful sports school in the head administrative settlement Dvorichna, along with multiple other schools and a kindergarten.[5]

History

Founding and early years

Halyna Turbaba c. 2020, the first and only Head of the Hromada

The hromada was created on 12 June 2020 after merging 14 settlement councils within the soon to be abolished Dvorichna Raion.[lower-alpha 2][6] Upon establishment, the hromada became the local government for 55 settlements, and had a total population of 16,568 in January 2021.[7]

The hromada would hold their first elections on 25 October 2020,[8] where Dvorichna native Turbaba Halyna Hryhorivna would be elected as Head of the Hromada.[9] Before the war in 2022, the hromada had a total population of approximately 16,500[5] within a 1,109.1 km2 (428.2 sq mi) area.[1]

Russian invasion

The entire hromada was occupied by Russian forces in the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.[5] During full occupation, Halyna Turbaba would be imprisoned twice for refusing to cooperate with the Russian military.[10] During Turbaba's first imprisonment lasting one month, and second imprisonment 50 days, some lesser hromada officials agreed to work with the Russians.[5] In this time: better houses, along with useful equipment from farms, were reportedly confiscated by the Russian military.[10] Many residents likewise would leave for the Russian border or travel across a dam going over the Pecheneg Reservoir to territory controlled by Ukrainian forces.[2]

"There are people who are planning to return. The fact is that there will probably be nowhere to return to - Dvorichna [hromada] is being demolished from the face of the earth"

Halyna Turbaba, Head of the Hromada, April 2023 interview with Suspilne[2]

The territorial situation would only change in the hromada after the successful Kharkiv counteroffensive conducted by Ukrainian forces during September 2022,[11] where control of the hromada would be divided along the Oskil river by 12 September,[2][5] and would remain this way with some exceptions.[lower-alpha 3] After the counteroffensive, those lesser officials who worked with the Russians had fled the hromada,[5] and many former-residents who left for Russia returned to live in Kharkiv or moved to other European nations including Czechia, Germany, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland,[2] as the now-frontline hromada was placed under mandatory evacuation. This depopulation led to only about 2,000 residents remaining in the recaptured areas of the hromada by December 2022,[5] and only 1,100 residents by April 2023, consisting primarily of the elderly, with only 60 of whom being children.[2]

Daily shelling[2][5][10] of the hromada that has taken place since Ukraine's counteroffensive has destroyed much of the head administrative settlement Dvorichna: including all 35 apartment buildings there,[2][5][10] 30% of all residential buildings in the hromada,[5] and 70% in Dvorichna,[2] and much of the educational, medical, and recreational infrastructure in the hromada,[2][5][10] as well as damaged or destroyed all administrative buildings.[2][5][10] All buildings not bordering neighboring settlement hromadas have also lost access to electricity, gas, and heat,[10] leading to the hromada's post offices, banks, pharmacies, and other reliant establishments being closed indefinitely.[5][15]

Because of these factors, much of the remaining population either lives in their yards[2] or basements because of damages from the war.[10] Humanitarian aid consisting of food, hygiene, firewood, fuel, and other highly needed items are delivered on average twice a month to residents, making still living in the hromada possible.[5][10] A bakery built by humanitarian workers along with local village vegetable gardens also provide more food than necessary to residents.[5] A local doctor and ambulance also provides medical assistance despite the lack of a functioning pharmacy.[5] Administration is still led by Turbaba, and two other officials, with more opting to work remotely.[5] There is little to no communication with the occupied half of the hromada, with there existing the possibility of a humanitarian disaster.[5]

Territorial control since September 2022

After Ukraine's successful counteroffensive, the territorial situation in the hromada would not change again until 18 October, when a localized Russian counteroffensive would retake Horobivka.[16] Four months later from 4[17] to 18 February 2023, a larger Russian counteroffensive from Dvorichne[18] would push Ukrainian forces from the settlement on 10 February,[19] and would continue their advancement to capture Lyman Pershyi on 16 February,[20] and Hrianykivka on 18 February,[21] being the last significant event from the offensive. According to Turbaba, it was about this time that Hrianykivka's population became zero after every building there had been destroyed during the series of offensives and counteroffensives.[2]

On 15 May 2023, another localized Russia counteroffensive would recapture Masiutivka,[22] the last settlement in the hromada on the east side of the Oskil.

On 17 July 2023, Russian forces would attempt to further their advances from Masiutivka and attempt to cross the Oskil. While the Ukrainian General Staff reported that the offensive was unsuccessful, a Russian milblogger claimed that the offensive captured 1–2 km (0.6–1.2 mi) of land in this direction.[23] This claim would be supported by other milbloggers and the Russian Ministry of Defense two days later on 19 July.[24] The Russian advance in this direction would continue again on 8 August, with Russian forces of the 6th Combined Arms Army capturing positions south of Vilshana and Lyman Pershyi.[25]

List of settlements

The hromada contains one urban-type settlement, being the administrative center Dvorichna, and a further 54 settlements,[1] including:

Notes

  1. ↑ The population given only accounts for those in recaptured areas by Ukrainian forces, and is an estimate.[2]
  2. ↑ Those 14 settlement councils being the Bohdanivske, Dvorichna, Kamianka, Kolodiazne, Kutkivka, Lyman Druhyi, Mykolaivka, Novoiehorivka, Petro-Ivanivka, Pisky, Ridkodub, Tavilzhanka, Tokarivka, and Vilshana settlement councils.
  3. ↑ After first establishing positions in Hrianykivka on 15 September,[12] Ukraine would also regain control of settlements east of the Oskil; including Dvorichne likely on 19 September,[13] Hrianykivka and Horobivka on 24 September,[14] and Lyman Pershyi and Masiutivka on unknown dates due to the fog of war. Ongoing fighting would also dispute control of Tavilzhanka.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Дворічанська територіальна громада" [Dvorichan territorial community] (in Ukrainian). Decentralisation in Ukraine. 2022. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Tsvetkova, Sofia; Silaeva, Anna (28 April 2023). ""Мабуть, повертатися буде нікуди": як живе Дворічанська громада Харківщини, половина якої залишається під окупацією" ["Probably, there will be nowhere to return": how the Dvorichna hromada of the Kharkiv Oblast lives, half of which remains under occupation] (in Ukrainian). Suspilne. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Дворічанська селищна рада (смт Дворічна, Куп'янський район, Харківська область)" [Dvorichna settlement council (Dvorichna village, Kupyan district, Kharkiv region)] (in Ukrainian). legalway.org. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Місцеві програми селищних громад Харківщини: що закладено в бюджети на 2023 рік" [Local programs of settlement hromadas of the Kharkiv region: what is included in the budgets for 2023]. prostir.ua (in Ukrainian). 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023. Сайт Дворічанської селищної ради запрацював (на початок лютого доступу до нього не було), але назвати його інформативним важко – остання публікація датується 25 лютого 2022-го. [The site of the Dvorichna settlement hromada is up and running (at the beginning of February it was not accessible), but it is difficult to call it informative - the last publication is dated February 25, 2022.]
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Yakovleva, Vita (15 December 2022). "Дворічанська громада: частина – в окупації, частина – під обстрілами" [The Dvorichna hromada: part of it is under occupation, part of it is under shelling]. slk.kh.ua (in Ukrainian). Slobidskyi District. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  6. ↑ Про визначення адміністративних центрів та затвердження територій територіальних громад Харківської області [On the determination of administrative centers and approval of the territories of territorial communities of the Kharkiv region] (Report) (in Ukrainian). Kyiv: Verkhovna Rada. 12 June 2020. p. 5. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "Дворічанська територіальна громада" [Dvorichna settlement hromada] (in Ukrainian). Decentralisation in Ukraine. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Центральна виборча комісія. Місцеві вибори 2020. Територіальні виборчі комісії. Перелік виборчих комісій. Харківська область. Дворічанська селищна територіальна виборча комісія Куп'янського району" [Central Election Commission. Local elections 2020. Territorial election commissions. List of election commissions. Kharkiv region. Dvorichan settlement territorial election commission of Kupyan district.] (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Голова Громади" [Head of the Community] (in Ukrainian). Decentralization in Ukraine. 2022. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "В Дворічанській СТГ неспокійно: 50% населених пунктів залишаються в окупації. Фото" [In the Dvorichna settlement hromada, it is restless: 50% of settlements remain under occupation. Photo]. kupiansk.city (in Ukrainian). Kupiansk. 2 February 2023. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  11. 1 2 Hird, Karolina; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Lawlor, Katherine; Clark, Mason (22 September 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 22". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2023. The Russian milblogger also indicated that Ukrainian forces have taken ground east of Dvorichna and are fighting in Tavlizhanka
  12. ↑ Stepanenko, Kateryna; Lawlor, Katherine; Mappes, Grace; Barros, George; Kagan, Frederick W. (15 September 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 15". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2023. A confirmed Ukrainian position in Hryanykivka would indicate that the Russian frontline east of the Oskil River is weak and/or that Russian forces' lines in this area are farther east of the Oskil River than previously assessed.
  13. ↑ Hird, Karolina; Lawlor, Katherine; Clark, Mason; Kagan, Frederick W. (19 September 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 19". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2023. Ukrainian [forces are] grouping in Dvorichne […] Another Russian source similarly noted […] Ukrainian pontoon crossing near Dvorichne and that Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups are operating in the area.
  14. ↑ Hird, Karolina; Barros, George; Kagan, Frederick W. (24 September 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 24". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2023. Ukrainian assault detachments occupied the settlements of Hrianykivka and Horobivka
  15. ↑ Ivashchenko, Maria (13 December 2022). "Чому у Дворічній не відновлюють електропостачання" [Why is the electricity supply not being restored in Dvorichna?]. slk.kh.ua (in Ukrainian). Slobidskyi District. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  16. ↑ Lawlor, Katherine; Hird, Karolina; Mappes, Grace; Bailey, Riley; Barros, George; Kagan, Frederick W. (19 October 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 19". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023. Deputy Internal Minister Vitaly Kiselyov reiterated claims that Russian forces captured Horobivka […] on October 18
  17. ↑ Stepanenko, Kateryna; Hird, Karolina; Mappes, Grace; Barros, George; Philipson, Layne; Wolkov, Nicole; Kagan, Frederick W. (6 February 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023. Russian forces broke through Ukrainian defenses in Dvorichne […] and established positions on the settlement's western outskirts on February 4. […] The Ukrainian General Staff did not report that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in these areas between February 5 and 6.
  18. ↑ Hird, Karolina; Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Barros, George; Philipson, Layne; Wolkov, Nicole; Clark, Mason (10 February 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 10, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023. Russian forces secured marginal advances near Dvorichne […] Russian forces appear to be concentrating renewed offensive operations northwest of Svatove around Dvorichna
  19. ↑ Bailey, Riley; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Mappes, Grace; Howard, Angela; Kagan, Frederick W. (11 February 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 11, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian forces completely captured Dvorichne […] on February 10
  20. ↑ Hird, Karolina; Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Barros, George; Wolkov, Nicole; Kagan, Frederick W. (16 February 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 16, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023. The Center for Defense Strategies also reported that Russian forces entered Lyman Pershyi [and] claimed that Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to fight for control of Hryanykivka
  21. ↑ Neely, Jason; Ljunggren, David (18 February 2023). "Russia says its forces capture village in Ukraine's Kharkiv region". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023. Russia's defence ministry said on Saturday that its forces had captured Hrianykivka
  22. ↑ Stepanenko, Kateryna; Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Philipson, Layne; Kagan, Frederick W. (15 May 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 15, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023. Russian sources claimed that Russian forces captured Masyutivka
  23. ↑ Mappes, Grace; Hird, Karolina; Wolkov, Nicole; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. (17 July 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 17, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar stated that Russian forces have been advancing in the Kupyansk direction since the end of last week and are attacking Ukrainian positions near Masyutivka […] in order to push Ukrainian forces across the Oskil River. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations south of Masyutivka, and a Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces have advanced up to one to two kilometers in the Kupyansk direction.
  24. ↑ Stepanenko, Kateryna; Bailey, Riley; Evans, Angelica; Barros, George; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 19, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023. The Russian MoD claimed that Russian units advanced more than one kilometer in depth and two kilometers in width in the Kupyansk direction […] Other Russian sources claimed that Russian forces took control of […] positions near Masyutivka […] A prominent Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the 6th Combined Arms Army (Western Military District) have been assaulting Ukrainian strongholds west of Lyman Pershyi for several days and have recently advanced two kilometers in the area.
  25. ↑ Hird, Karolina; Evans, Angelica; Wolkov, Nicole; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. (8 August 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 8, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023. Multiple Russian sources, including the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), claimed that elements of the 6th Combined Arms Army […] took positions on the landings south of Vilshana and Pervomaiske[.] […] Russian sources claimed that Russian assault groups pushed Ukrainian forces past Lyman Pershyi […] and out of positions along the Lyman Pershyi-Pervomaiske line.
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