Ukraine is located in the east of Europe, bordering Russia to the east, the Black Sea to the south, Belarus to the north, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova to the west. Ukraine is recorded in the Annals of Rus' and means frontier land. Ukraine has a land area of 603,700 km², 1,300 km from east to west and 900 km from north to south.
Map of Ukraine
In the process of Russia's special military operation against Ukraine, as of today, five cities have stood out in terms of fighting for attack and defense and humanitarian rescue, which have attracted everyone's attention and expectations.
Major Ukrainian cities and troop deployments
These five cities are Kiev, the unyielding political center of Ukraine, Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, the historical name Samui, the military stronghold of Chernigov, and the base of the Azov battalion of the Udong fortress Mariupol.
History and independence of Ukraine
Speaking of the history of Ukraine, since joining the Soviet Union in 1922, it has been mixed with the big brother, during which there has been a brief separation of the east and west Of Ukraine, and it has also suffered the baptism of war by German fascism, and finally formed the current Ukraine.
Ukraine's independence was an inevitable step in history, thanks to three powerful impetus that accelerated the collapse of the superpower Soviet Union and the eventual independence of Ukraine.
The territory of Ukraine is formed
First thing: When Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, came to power in 1985, a series of radical measures after he came to power intensified the various social and historical contradictions accumulated within the Soviet Union, led to the rapid rise of nationalist and separatist tendencies, and accelerated the rapid political turmoil in the country.
Second thing: On April 26, 1986, a serious nuclear leak occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in the Soviet Union, causing immeasurable repercussions and strong dissatisfaction with the Soviet Union in the country.
Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union
Third thing: In September 1989, Ukraine's modern party, the People's Movement for Reform, was formed, and its membership quickly reached one million people. This is the prototype of a modern political party in Ukraine.
On July 16, 1990, the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine. On August 24, 1991, Ukraine issued a declaration of national independence, officially declaring independence from the Soviet Union, the name of the country is Ukraine, and the capital is Kiev. Kravchuk was elected as the first president.
Rivers and resources of Ukraine
There are 116 rivers in Ukraine with more than 100 km, the longest of which is the Dnieper, which flows through the territory of Ukraine for 981 km, including the South Bug, Transnistria and North Donets, Prut and Danube rivers.
Dnieper River Basin, Ukraine
Ukraine's oil and gas resources are relatively scarce, 80% of which are stored in the Dnipropetrovsk region and the Black Sea coast, and most of the domestic oil is imported. Donbass is the largest coal mine in Ukraine, with proven reserves of 109 billion tons.
Administrative divisions of Ukraine
According to the needs of management, the whole country of Ukraine is divided into 24 oblasts, 1 autonomous republic, 2 municipalities directly under the central government, with a total of 27 first-level administrative regions. At present, 23 are actually controlled.
2 municipalities: Kiev, Sevastopol (annexed to Russia on March 18, 2014)
1 republic: Autonomous Republic of Crimea (annexed to Russia on March 18, 2014)
24 states: (See map below)
Administrative divisions of Ukraine
Among them, the Luhansk Oblast (declared independent to the People's Republic on May 12, 2014) and the Donetsk Oblast (declared independent on May 12, 2014 to establish the People's Republic).
Kiev, the capital of Ukraine
Kiev Oblast is located in the middle reaches of the Dnieper River in northern Ukraine and borders Belarus to the north. It has an area of 28,900 km² and a population of about 2 million. Ukrainians make up more than 90 percent, the rest are Russians, Belarusians, Jews.
Location of Kiev Oblast of Ukraine
Kiev, located in north-central Ukraine, on both sides of the middle reaches of the Dnieper River, and near the confluence of the Pripyat and Jasna rivers, its largest tributary. It became the capital after 1934. It has an area of 782 square kilometers and a population of 2.62 million.
Kiev, the capital of Ukraine
Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is known as the mother of the Rus' cities. It is the oldest city established by the East Slavs, located on a terrace about 90 meters high on the right bank of the Dnieper River, bordered by steep cliffs on three sides.
Kiev is located geographically
▪ Boryspil Airport
Kiev Boryspil Airport, with two runways and three passenger terminals, with a runway length of 4000 meters and a width of 60 meters, can receive all types of aircraft.
▪ Zuhani Airport
Kiev Zuhani Airport, with a total area of 2,500 square meters, the complex hangar can accommodate 8 different types of aircraft, mainly serving small aircraft and helicopters.
Antonov Airport
▪ Antonov Airport
Antonov Airport, located in Gostomelli, a northwestern suburb of Kiev, is an international cargo airport under the anachinov aircraft manufacturing company, operated by Antonov Aviation.
▪ Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, located 130 kilometers north of the Ukrainian city of Kiev, is a nuclear power plant built in 1973 and started in 1977 in the former Soviet Union. On April 26, 1986, an explosion occurred at the reactor of Unit 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, causing the worst nuclear leak to date. Since then, most of the nearby area has ceased to be open to the public.
Satellite view of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant
On February 24, local time, fierce fighting broke out near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Subsequently, the Ukrainian side announced that it had been controlled by the Russian army, and the Russian and Ukrainian sides jointly guarded it.
On March 9, local time, Russia said that Ukrainian nationalists attacked the lines and substations that power the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Inside the nuclear power plant
On March 10, local time, Russia said that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has restored power supply with the help of Belarusian power engineers.
▪ The city of Kiev is attacking and defending
The attack on Kiev began at Thetonov airfield, and on February 24 the Russian airborne battalion-level combat unit flew low in a Mi-8 transport aircraft, successfully penetrated the defense, and easily occupied The antonov airfield for the first time.
An explosion occurred over Kiev
In the early morning of February 25, local time, the Ukrainian side announced the recapture of the airport, possibly to capture part of the airport. At 10:34 a.m. on the 25th, three huge explosions were heard in the center of Kiev, which was the beginning of the Russian attack on Kiev, marking the official start of the Siege of Kiev, which has continued to this day, and the two sides are still fighting.
V. Kharkiv
Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine, the center of Ukraine's heavy industry, with an area of 31,400 km², a population of 1.45 million, the second largest urban population in Ukraine, and the North Donets River runs through the whole territory. The city of Kharkiv is 48.5% Ukrainian and 29.7% Russian, and although the official language of Ukraine is Ukrainian, the Entire Kharkiv region uses Russian.
Kharkiv location map
▪ Basic information note in Kharkiv
The capital of Ukraine became Kiev in 1934, and Until then Kharkiv had been the capital of Ukraine. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kharkiv was the fifth largest city in the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraine declared its independence, and Kharkov broke away from the Soviet Union and merged into Ukraine.
Kharkiv is the largest railway and road transport hub in Ukraine, the intersection of 8 main lines, with 3 main line railway stations with easy access to Moscow, Kiev, the western region of Ukraine, Zaporozhye and the Crimea region.
Kharkiv Square after shelling
▪ The Russians continued to attack Kharkov
On March 1, local time, in order to strengthen the attack on Kharkov, Russia put multiple rocket launchers into the battlefield, and the picture of the shelling of the Kharkiv government building square on the same day was widely reported, and the explosion instantly triggered a fierce fire, followed by billowing smoke and the wreckage of the exploded building.
Smoke rose from the Chuguev military base
On March 2, local time, the Ukrainian military said that Russian airborne troops landed in Kharkiv in the early morning of the same day, and immediately after landing, they exchanged fire with the Ukrainian side, and the situation was controlled.
▪ The reason why the Russians attacked Kharkov
The reason why Kharkiv has become the main direction of the Russian special operation is determined by its historical status. Kharkiv, as a water and land transportation hub and coal and iron rich place, is one of the top heavy industrial centers in Eastern Europe, with the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau and The Maleshev Machinery Factory, which started with the manufacture of steam locomotives, from the First World War to the production of Tsarist railways and mining machinery, and then to the Soviet era known as a military city known for tanks and diesel engines, its status is unsurpassable in Ukraine.
Kharkiv South Station
Most importantly, Kharkov guarded the railway center from Moscow, the capital of Russia, to the north bank of the Black Sea, which was the most important and therefore the strategic target of the Russian army's main offensive. At the same time, in 2014, the two regions declared independence, but Kharkiv's independence was unsuccessful and continued to be loyal to Ukraine, thus depriving the Donbass region of raw material markets and subsequent development momentum. Therefore, in that case, whether in Russia or the independent countries of the Donbass region, the capture of Kharkov is their best and most urgent goal.
Chernihiv
Chernihiv is the capital of the Chernihiv Oblast in northern Ukraine, located on the Banks of the Jessna River, a tributary of the left bank of the middle reaches of the Dnieper River, with a total area of 79K square meters and a total population of about 300,000.
Location map of Chernihiv
▪ Description of the local garrison
Chernihiv is the headquarters of the Northern Ukrainian Cluster, which has 6 tank battalions, 14 mechanized infantry battalions, and the regular army is second only to the Wudong region. The 1st Panzer Brigade of the Ukrainian Army was deployed in the city of Chernihiv, equipped with the most advanced T-80 modified tanks of the Ustroika Army, as well as irregular National Guard units.
An explosion occurred in Chernihiv
▪ The Ukrainians shot down the Russian Su-34
On March 5, the Ukrainian side released videos and photos, announcing that a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber had been shot down in the Chernihiv area, the pilot parachuted, one person was wounded and captured and one person was killed, and it was said that he was shot down by a needle-type portable single-soldier surface-to-air missile of the Ukrainian army during low-altitude bombing.
Russian Su-34 fighter jets destroyed by the Ukrainians
Seven, Samui
Samui is the capital of Samui Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, located on the banks of the Pushol River, and is a famous historical and cultural city in Ukraine. It has an area of 145 km2 and a population of 260,000. Ancient churches, rich museums and numerous colleges and universities are three of Samui's main features.
Sumy location map
▪ The Russians invaded Samui and exchanged fire
On February 24, local time, the Ukrainian military confirmed that Russian tanks had entered the city of Samui in northeastern Ukraine. That night, the Ukrainian army and the Russian army had a fierce exchange of fire in the center of Samui. Gunfire continued and a fire broke out.
Ukrainian tanks blown up on the streets of Sumy
VIII. Mariupol
Mariupol is located in southeast Ukraine, the entrance of the Sea of Azov, is the tenth largest city in Ukraine, the second largest city in donetsk Oblast, connecting Crimea and The Donbass Region of Udong, the geographical location is important, the population of about 450,000, Mariupol is an important military industrial center in Ukraine, but also a higher education center and a commercial center.
Mariupol location map
▪ The Russians besieged Mariupol
On March 2, local time, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Konashenkov said that the Donetsk armed forces have fully surrounded the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
The Russians besieged Mariupol
The Azov battalion of the Ukrainian National Guard said ukrainian troops were holding the defensive line to stop Russian attempts to advance towards Mariupol and needed a lot of support. In a post on social networking sites, Azov Camp said Mariupol was the last city to block the establishment of a land corridor from Russia to Crimea and was determined not to be lost.
▪ The Russians attacked Urimapol
Because of the importance of Urimapol's geographical location, once controlled by Russia, it can be connected with the Donbass region and southern Russia, thus controlling the Sea of Azov; after the occupation of Odessa, control the entire Black Sea, cut off ukraine's passage in and out of the Black Sea. More importantly, it can open up direct transportation links between Russia and Crimea, which plays a very positive role in maintaining the security of the Black Sea region.
Ukrainian Azov battalion elements
Ukraine's notorious neo-Nazi armed Azov battalion is located here, trained and aided by the West, and controls Urimapol. In recent years, the lives of the local population have been threatened, and for Ukraine to be de-Nazified, this must be the focus of the attack and the region.
Russia and Ukraine have opened humanitarian corridors
On March 3, local time, the second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine ended, and the two sides reached an understanding on the establishment of humanitarian channels and agreed to hold a third round of negotiations as soon as possible.
The second Russian-Ukrainian talks
▪ Opening of humanitarian evacuation routes
On March 4, local time, the Donetsk Armed Forces said that a family had left Mariupol through the humanitarian corridor. This is the first case since the two sides reached an agreement on the establishment of humanitarian corridors in the second round of Russian-Ukrainian talks.
Girls evacuated in Kiev by car
On March 8, local time, Russia announced that from 10 o'clock Moscow time, the Russian army will practice a state of silence and open the humanitarian corridor for the people to depart from Kiev, Chernihiv, Samui, Kharkov and Mariupol.
Convoys evacuated from humanitarian corridors
On the evening of March 10, Russia announced that a state of silence would be implemented from 10:00 Moscow time on the 11th, opening two routes in Kiev, Chernihiv, Samui, Kharkov and Mariupol, leading to Russia and Ukraine respectively.
▪ Why always these five cities
From the opening of humanitarian corridors, we can see why it is always the five Ukrainian cities of Kiev, Chernihiv, Samui, Kharkiv and Mariupol that have been evacuated. It's actually easy to understand.
Location map of major cities in Ukraine
The first thing that needs to be said is that these five cities are currently under the control of the theater, that is, fighting is taking place and has been continuous, which is also the main direction of the Russian offensive. Local residents cannot come out if they want to evacuate without approval. Therefore, for the consideration of subsequent wars, it is necessary to evacuate people in time to avoid unnecessary casualties of non-military facility targets.
Secondly, Russia's goals for these 5 cities in Ukraine are different. For Urimapol, it is necessary to take and completely control it, and the key is to eliminate the local Nazis; for Kharkov, the Russian side is determined to win, and the offensive continues; it is only a strategic need for Samui and Chernihiv to achieve the siege of Kiev through control, so it must be taken; for Kiev, Russia has a clear intention to encircle but not annihilate, and create bargaining chips.
Ukrainian residents waiting to be evacuated
Finally, it is also very critical, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has been fought today, the world's attention is very high, humanitarian relief is imminent, it has to be implemented, and the battle has been fought today, Ukraine has been in a hurry, if the people do not withdraw to the safe zone in time, in the end some ethnic elements may take the people as hostages, the two sides may hurt the innocent, so it is necessary to evacuate in time to prepare conditions for the Russian-Ukrainian decisive battle.