Happy TravellerWelcome to Svatove, a city located on the Krasna River in Luhansk Oblast, eastern Ukraine. While the city has unfortunately been occupied by Russian forces since 2022, it still boasts a rich history and culture worth exploring.
Svatove has been a part of the Luhansk Peoples Republic since 2022, but prior to that, it served as the administrative center of Svatove Raion. The city has a population of 16,145 (2022 est.).
The city’s history is closely tied to the ongoing conflict in Donbas. After the proclamation of the separatist Luhansk Peoples Republic in 2014, Svatove remained under Ukrainian governmental control. The separatist referendum on independence was not held in the city. In 2015, two people were reported dead and eight wounded as a result of explosions caused by fire at the munitions depot in Svatove.
Despite the current occupation, Svatove has a rich culture and community worth exploring. The city has a local newspaper that has been published since September 1931, and the Svatove district museum of local history was founded in 1962 and has over 10,000 objects.
Svatove also has several landmarks worth visiting. The former Theological Seminary is now the Number 1 Secondary School, and there is a Memorial of Glory, Memory and Sorrow in the center of the city. Additionally, there is a steam locomotive monument on Pryvokzalny Square.
The town primarily serves the surrounding agricultural area, with some metal working, textiles, and light industry. There is a processing plant for sunflower oil that was built in 1902-3.
Svatove is located in the valley of the Krasna river, with wooded hills to the east and west. The town occupies a strategic location at the heart of the Krasna valley, where the P07 road running SE-NW from Starobilsk to Kupiansk crosses the river and meets the P66 road from Kreminna. In 1894 a railway was built from Lysychansk and in 1895 it was extended to Kupiansk. It is now part of the Donets Railway.
While Svatove may not be a typical tourist destination, it is a city with a rich history and culture worth exploring. We hope that one day soon, visitors will be able to experience all that Svatove has to offer.
