Tavilzhanka
Tavilzhanka (Ukrainian: Тавільжанка, Russian: Таволжанка, romanized: Tavolzhanka) is a village in Kupiansk Raion, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine.[2] It belongs to Dvorichna settlement hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.[1] During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the village was occupied by Russian troops during their initial advance into the nation. After the success of the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, the village has become contested territory on the frontline.[3][4]
Tavilzhanka
Тавільжанка | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Tavilzhanka  Tavilzhanka | |
| Coordinates: 49°50′20″N 37°46′34″E | |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Oblast |  Kharkiv Oblast |
| Raion |  Kupiansk Raion |
| Founded | 1899 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Dvorichna settlement hromada |
| • Head | Svitlana Moroz |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,312 km2 (1,279 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 1,924 |
| • Density | 0.58/km2 (1.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 62731 |
| Area code | +380 5750 |
| KOATUU code | 6321885501 |
| CATOTTG code | UA63080050480092705[1] |
Geography
The village is surrounded by large areas of forests alongside the Tavilzhanka (river). After one kilometer, this river connects to the left tributary of the larger Oskil (river), downstream from the village of Dvorichne, where the closest major railway station, Dvorichna station, is located.
History
Russian invasion of Ukraine
At the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tavilzhanka was occupied by Russian troops in their initial advance into Ukraine.[5] Svitlana Moroz, the village head, was held by Russian forces in a prison in Kupiansk. She eventually escaped, but her husband has not been seen since September 2022.[6]
On 22 September 2022, prominent Russian milblogger Rybar reported that the Ukrainian armed forces reached and began fighting for the village in part of their Kharkiv counteroffensive, which had begun earlier in the month.[3][7] Advancing from Horobivka and Dvorichna, further progress was made on 25 September by the Ukrainian forces when a foothold was established by nearby railroad tracks in the village.[8] From 25 to 27 September, further fighting reported as "intense" took place in the western part of the village.[9]
Over the following months, it has remained a contested frontline village during the battle of the Svatove–Kreminna line.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
Demographics
In 2001, the village had 1924 residents, of whom 1792 spoke Ukrainian, 108 Russian, 5 Hungarian, 3 Belarusian, 9 Armenian, and 7 spoke other languages.[18]
References
- "Дворічанська територіальна громада" [Dvorichan territorial community] (in Ukrainian). Decentralisation in Ukraine. 2022. p. 5. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- "Satellite map of Tavilzhanka". 2ua.org. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- Hird, Karolina; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Lawlor, Katherine; Clark, Mason (22 September 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 22". understandingwar.org. Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
The Russian milblogger also indicated that Ukrainian forces have taken ground east of Dvorichna and are fighting in Tavlizhanka, which is reportedly still contested territory.
- "Ukraine: Military operations continue in southern and eastern regions as of Oct. 10; Russia conducts multiple missile strikes across Ukraine /update 186". crisis24.garda.com. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- "Russian court arrests Ukrainian man accused of espionage". Novaya Gazeta Europe.
His mother stayed in the village of Tavilzhanka in the Kharkiv region. After the war began, Russian forces occupied the village.
- Tondo, Lorenzo; Mamo, Alessio (2 July 2023). "'Some never came back': how Russians hunted down veterans of Donbas conflict". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- Sumner, Mark (23 September 2022). "Ukraine update: Ukraine is across the Oskil, and across the Oskil, and across the Oskil, and ..." dailykos.com. Daily Kos. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- Stepanenko, Kateryna; Lawlor, Katherine; Barros, George; Bailey, Riley; Kagan, Frederick W. (26 September 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 26". criticalthreats.org. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
Russian sources reported that Ukrainian forces began to advance from Horobivka and Dvorichna in the direction of Tavil'zhanka (18 km northeast of Kupyansk) on September 25 and managed to establish an unspecified foothold near railroad tracks near Tavil'zhanka.
- Sumner, Mark (27 September 2022). "Ukraine update: A surprise move could change everything in the battle for Lyman". dailykos.com. Daily Kos. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- Hird, Karolina; Lawlor, Katherine; Mappes, Grace; Bailey, Riley; Kagan, Frederick W. (28 September 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 28". understandingwar.org. Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
Russian sources suggested that Ukrainian troops are attempting advances to the northeast of Kupyansk along the Pervshyi Lyman-Tavilzhanka line.
- "Ukraine's Armed Forces repel Russian attacks near 13 settlements". ukrinform.net. Ukrinform. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
Tavilzhanka and Bohdanivske in Kharkiv region came under enemy artillery fire.
- Philipson, Layne; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Clark, Mason (5 December 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 5". understandingwar.org. Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported on December 5 that Russian forces shelled Tavilzhanka and Bohdanivske, indicating that Ukrainian forces likely control the settlements.
- Vanian, Roman (27 December 2022). "AFU repel Russian attacks in 2 regions – General Staff". ukranews.com. Ukrainian News Agency. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
the enemy shelled the areas of […] Tavilzhanka […] using tanks, barrel artillery, and MLRSes.
- "Ukrainian forces hit enemy's command post, seven personnel and equipment concentration areas". ukrinform.net. Ukrinform. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
the enemy shelled the areas of […] Tavilzhanka
- Bailey, Riley; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Barros, George; Williams, Madison; Kagan, Frederick W. (27 December 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 27". understandingwar.org. Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
Ukrainian and Russian sources reported on December 27 that Russian forces struck Tavilzhanka indicating Ukrainian advances
- Hird, Karolina; Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Philipson, Layne; Barros, George; Kagan, Frederick W. (5 January 2023). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 5, 2023". understandingwar.org. Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- Vanian, Roman (6 January 2023). "Occupiers advancing in 2 directions, AFU repel enemy attacks near 12 settlements". ukranews.com. Ukrainian News Agency. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
enemy fire was recorded in the areas of the settlements of Tavilzhanka
- "Population numbers of settlements as of 2001" (in Ukrainian).