Priazovlje je regija na jugoistoku Ukrajine, smještena uz obalu Azovskog mora. Obuhvaća dijelove Donjecke, Hersonske i Zaporizke oblasti, kao i dijelove ruske Rostovske oblasti.

Jedinstvenost regije leži u kombinaciji razvijene industrije i turističkih zona za odmor na moru. Veliki gradovi Priazovlja su Mariupol, Berdjansk i Melitopol.

U sastavu neovisne Ukrajine, Priazovlje je bilo većinom ruskogovorno područje s razvijenom strojarskom i metalurškom industrijom. Ovdje su se nalazile važne morske luke za međunarodni promet.

Prirodna bogatstva regije

• Askanija Nova – netaknuta stepa: U Priazovlju i na području Pričernomorja nalazi se najstariji i najveći europski stepski rezervat Askanija Nova. Osnovan u 19. stoljeću, dom je za više od 800 vrsta papkara, antilopa, zebra, magaraca, konja, deva, kao i za 60 različitih vrsta ptica, od labudova i roda do australskih emu nojeva. Na području rezervata moguće je proučavati životinje u njihovom prirodnom okruženju. Sam rezervat je još 1983. godine dobio status UNESCO-vog biosfernog rezervata.
• Ružičasta jezera – slana čuda Ukrajine: Ukrajinska slana jezera slična su Mrtvom moru po razini slanosti koja doseže 37%. Ljeti jednoćelijske alge Dunaliella salina pod utjecajem topline proizvode beta-karoten, pa jezera postaju jarko ružičasta, što privlači mnoge turiste. Osim beta-karotena, u vodi ovih slanih jezera ima mnogo minerala, natrija, broma, magnezija koji imaju ljekovita svojstva.
  
• Oleske pjeske – pustinja u Europi: Nacionalni prirodni park Oleske pjeske jedan je od najvećih pješčanih masiva u Europi. Ova pješčana polupustinja nastala je na kraju posljednjeg ledenog doba. Ljeti se pijesak zagrije do 70°C. A vjetar stvara pokretne pješčane dine visoke do 20 metara. Na području nacionalnog parka raste oko 600 vrsta biljaka i živi gotovo 1000 vrsta životinja. Razvijene su 4 ekološke rute za turiste.
• Azovsko more: Najpliće more na svijetu, dubine 5-13 metara, je unutarnje more Atlantskog oceana. Spaja se s Crnim morem Kerčkim tjesnacem. Voda u Azovskom moru nije tako slana zbog velikog dotoka slatke vode iz brojnih rijeka. Njegove ravne obale karakterizira velika količina nasutih pješčano-školjkičnih sprudova. Pješčane plaže i vrlo topla voda ljeti čine ljetovališta Azovskog mora popularnima među turistima s djecom. U hladnim zimama more potpuno zaledi.
  

Gradovi i ljudi

U ovom području ljudska naselja se bilježe još od bakrenog i brončanog doba. Ovdje su živjeli drevni Kimmerijci, Skiti, Sarmati i drugi. Nakon pada Krimskog kanata, ova su područja pripojena Ruskom Carstvu u 18. stoljeću. I lokalno stanovništvo Krima, pravoslavni Grci i drugi, preseljeni su na obale Azovskog mora. Protjerani sa svojih zemalja, Grci su osnivali nova naselja i davali im imena napuštenih mjesta na Krimu. Tako su nastala naselja s istim imenima na Krimu i kod Mariupolja: Jalta, Sartana, Urzuf i drugi. U regiji se također masovno naseljavali Židovi, Talijani, Nijemci.

Mariupolj, grad heroj

Administrativni centar Priazovlja, Mariupolj, nastao je na mjestu naselja Domaha koje su osnovali Kozaci u 16. stoljeću. Već za vrijeme Ruskog Carstva stanovništvo grada i okolice naglo se povećalo zbog prisilnih preseljenja. Rastu grada pridonijela je i ribarstvo, pomorski promet, a kasnije i industrijska revolucija. Mariupolj, sa svojim metalurškim kombinatima, imao je važno mjesto u ukupnom izvozu Ukrajine. Nakon aneksije Krima i zauzimanja dijelova Donjecke i Luhanske oblasti, Mariupolj je postao prijestolnica regije. Prije potpune invazije intenzivno se razvijao i ukrajinizirao.

24. veljače 2022. Rusija je napala grad od gotovo pola milijuna stanovnika. Tisuće ljudi poginulo je u svojim stanovima i kućama. Strašne tjedne ruskog napada dokumentirao je Mistilav Černov u filmu “20 dana u Mariupolju”. Ovaj dokumentarni film osvojio je nagradu BAFTA i Oscara 2024. godine. Metalurški pogoni koje su ukrajinske snage držale do posljednjeg trenutka bili su potpuno uništeni. Ukrajinski branitelji, uključujući dobrovoljce iz patriotskog puka Azov, zarobljeni su. Rad na njihovom oslobađanju još uvijek traje. 

Za vrijeme rata i okupacije, prirodna i kulturna dobra su uništena. Rusi su izvozili životinje iz Askanije Nove. Smještali su vojne skladišta u Oleske pjeske. Pljačkali su povijesne i umjetničke muzeje regije. Pokušavali su izbrisati sve tragove povijesti kraja koja nije povezana s Ruskim Carstvom ili Sovjetskim Savezom. Dozvoliti im da to učine s Priazovljem i Ukrajinom bez kazne značilo bi pobjedu varvara nad europskom civilizacijom.

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Priazovia: Where the Steppe Meets the Sea

Priazovia is a region located in southeastern Ukraine, bordering the Azov Sea. It encompasses parts of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as well as regions of Russia’s Rostov Oblast.

The region’s unique characteristic lies in its combination of developed industry and seaside resort areas. Major cities in Priazovia include Mariupol, Berdiansk, and Melitopol.

Within independent Ukraine, Priazovia was predominantly Russian-speaking and boasted a well-developed machine-building and metallurgical industry. It was home to significant sea ports crucial for international shipping.

Natural Treasures of the Region

• Askania Nova – Untouched Steppe: Located in Priazovia and the broader Black Sea region, Askania Nova is Europe’s oldest and largest steppe reserve. Established in the 19th century, it is home to over 800 species of ungulates, including antelopes, zebras, donkeys, horses, and camels, as well as 60 bird species, from swans and storks to Australian emus. The reserve offers visitors the opportunity to study animal life in their natural habitat. In 1983, UNESCO recognized Askania Nova as a biosphere reserve.
• Pink Lakes – Ukraine’s Salty Wonders: Ukrainian salt lakes, with a salinity level reaching 37%, resemble the Dead Sea. In summer, under the influence of heat, unicellular algae called Dunaliella salina produce beta-carotene, turning the lakes a vibrant pink color, attracting numerous tourists. Besides beta-carotene, the waters of these salt lakes are rich in minerals such as sodium, bromine, and magnesium, known for their healing properties.
• Oleshky Sands – A European Desert: The Oleshky Sands National Nature Park is one of Europe’s largest sandy massifs. This sandy semi-desert formed at the end of the last ice age. In summer, the sand heats up to 70°C, and the wind creates migrating sand dunes up to 20 meters high. The park is home to about 600 plant species and nearly 1,000 animal species. Four ecological routes have been developed for tourists.
• The Azov Sea: The shallowest sea in the world, with a depth of 5-13 meters, is an inland sea of the Atlantic Ocean. It connects to the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait. The water in the Azov Sea is less salty due to the influx of fresh water from numerous rivers. Its flat shores are characterized by a large number of sandy spits and shell reefs. The sandy beaches and warm summer waters make the resorts of the Azov Sea popular among tourists with children. In cold winters, the sea freezes completely.

Cities and People

Human settlements in this region date back to the Copper and Bronze Ages. The ancient Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians, and others lived here. After the fall of the Crimean Khanate, these lands were annexed by the Russian Empire in the 18th century. The local population, including Orthodox Greeks and others, were resettled to the shores of the Azov Sea. Expelled from their lands, the Greeks founded new settlements and named them after those they had left in Crimea. Thus, settlements with the same names appeared in Crimea and near Mariupol: Yalta, Sartana, Urzuf, and others. Jews, Italians, and Germans also settled in the region in large numbers.

Mariupol, the Hero City

Mariupol, the administrative center of Priazovia, emerged on the site of a settlement founded by Cossacks in the 16th century. During the Russian Empire, the population of the city and its surroundings grew rapidly due to forced resettlement. The city’s growth was also fueled by the fishing industry, maritime transport, and later, the industrial revolution. Mariupol, with its metallurgical plants, played a significant role in Ukraine’s overall exports. After the annexation of Crimea and the capture of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, Mariupol became the capital of the region. Before the full-scale invasion, it was developing rapidly.

On February 24, 2022, Russia attacked the city of nearly half a million people. Thousands were killed in their apartments and homes. The horrific weeks of the Russian attack were documented in the film “20 Days in Mariupol” by Mstyslav Chernov. This documentary won a BAFTA and an Oscar in 2024. The metallurgical plants, which Ukrainian soldiers held until the last moment, were completely destroyed. Ukrainian defenders, including volunteers from the Azov Regiment, were taken prisoner. Efforts to secure their release are ongoing.

During the war and occupation, natural and cultural sites have been destroyed. Russians have been removing animals from Askania Nova. They are setting up military warehouses in the Oleshky Sands. They are looting local history and art museums. They are trying to erase all traces of the region’s history that are not connected to the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union. To allow them to do this to Priazovia and Ukraine with impunity would be a victory of barbarism over European civilization.