Ukraine is a country with a rich history and numerous dramatic events that have left their mark in the form of abandoned cities. Each of these settlements has its own unique secrets that are revealed only to those who dare to explore them. Find out which Ukrainian towns and villages, apart from Prypiat, are called ghost towns

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Among the usual tourist routes and active cities, there is another Ukraine - the one hidden behind the walls and empty streets abandoned by people. Abandoned cities and towns are becoming a kind of open-air museum exhibits, where nature is gradually absorbing what remains of human activity. From flooded villages and abandoned mining towns to abandoned military bases, we are telling you about the most mysterious abandoned cities in Ukraine, each of which hides its own secrets.

Orbita: A small nuclear satellite

Orbita is a Ukrainian ghost town located not far from Chyhyryn in the Cherkasy region. The town was originally planned as a residential center for the workers of the Chyhyryn Nuclear Power Plant, which began construction in the 1980s. However, due to the Chornobyl accident, all nuclear projects in the region were halted.

Today, the town of Orbita is a settlement with several unfinished high-rise buildings overgrown with grass and trees. Despite the fact that today Orbita has about 160 residents, some houses have gas and electricity, and even one shop, this town leaves a feeling that life here has stopped suddenly. Today, Orbita is considered part of the village of Vitovo and attracts stalkers, photographers, and tourists looking for alternative tourist routes and atmospheric extreme sports.

Buchak: A drowned town on the banks of the Dnipro River

Buchak is another small village in the Cherkasy region that was once a popular vacation spot. Known for its picturesque nature and clean springs, in the 1960s part of the village was flooded during the construction of the Kaniv hydroelectric power station. A large number of residents were forced to leave their homes, and the settlement gradually fell into decay.

The remains of houses and abandoned streets can be seen on the banks of the Dnipro River, especially when the water is drained from the reservoir and the flooded areas are exposed. Buchak attracts tourists and filmmakers - Taras Bulba and Midsummer Eve were filmed here.

Earlier we told you about the oldest cities in Ukraine

Polissia: Once the flourishing center of Polissia

The town of Poliske, located 50 km from Chornobyl, was once the administrative center of the Polissia district of Kyiv region. Founded in the 15th century, the city has been an important trade and cultural center of Polissia for centuries. However, after the Chornobyl accident and subsequent radioactive contamination, the city was declared uninhabitable.

The evacuation of Polissia residents began in the 1990s, and today it is one of the most forgotten cities in Ukraine. Although the level of radiation is not as high as in Prypiat, it is impossible to restore life in Poliske. The current appearance of the town is dilapidated houses overgrown with moss and trees, reminiscent of the old days.

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Yaniv: A railroad junction on the edge of the exclusion zone

The town of Yaniv, also located near Chernobyl, was once an important railroad junction. Its location next to Prypiat made Yaniv a strategic point for the transportation of goods and workers at the nuclear power plant. But then again, Yaniv's future existence was affected by the Chornobyl accident, and the town was evacuated.

Today, Yaniv is part of the exclusion zone, where time seems to have stopped. The ruins of the train station, abandoned rails and broken cars stand as a reminder of days gone by. This place attracts not only fans of industrial tourism, but also people interested in the history of railways.

Kurakhivka: A forgotten industrial center

Kurakhivka is a former industrial town located in Donetsk Oblast. The town emerged as a satellite of coal mines, which provided a large number of jobs. However, in the early 1990s, due to the decline of the coal industry and economic problems, the mines closed and residents began to leave the city in large numbers.

Today, Kurakhivka is an abandoned town where most of the houses are empty and the roads are overgrown with grass. The industrial facilities that were once the heart of the town are now overgrown with weeds and are slowly collapsing. This city is an example of the decline of once developed industrial regions of Ukraine. Since 2022, the village has been shelled by the Russians, with the most intense shelling in 2024.

Please note! Due to active hostilities in the Donetsk region, traffic was restricted

Kalyta: An abandoned military town

Kalyta is a former military town located 40 km from Kyiv. Founded in Soviet times, it was home to military personnel and their families. But after the collapse of the USSR, many military facilities were abandoned, and Kalyta was no exception.

The town quickly became empty when the local military bases ceased to function. Today it is an abandoned settlement with abandoned houses and military facilities. Although tourists occasionally come here, the place retains an atmosphere of post-Soviet depression and social neglect.

Shevchenkove: A symbol of the economic crisis

Shevchenkove is another ghost town that suffered from the economic crisis after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Located in the Russian-held Mykolaiv region, it was once an important center of mechanical engineering and agricultural production. However, with the disappearance of orders and the cessation of state funding, the city quickly fell into decline.

Today, the streets of Shevchenkove are empty and the houses are dilapidated. Many residents left their homes in search of a better life in other cities in Ukraine or abroad. The city has become a symbol of the decline of industry in the country and the social changes that have taken place since independence.

Zolotyi Kolodyaz: A vanished resort in Donetsk region

Located in the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk region, the village of Zolotyi Kolodyazh was founded in 1680 by escaped serfs near a well and a watchpost of the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. Due to its age, the village can be compared to such ancient settlements as Tor-Slaviansk and Bakhmut. And if you go deeper into history, the settlement of this area began in the Paleolithic era...

Once upon a time, Zolotyi Kolodyazh was a popular balneological resort. The water from local springs was famous for its healing properties, and the resort infrastructure was actively developing here. However, due to the economic crisis and the war in eastern Ukraine, the resort was abandoned. Today, it is a quiet and abandoned area with empty sanatoriums and peeling facades of former hotels. Nature is gradually regaining control over the area, and this place attracts the attention of only researchers of abandoned locations and extreme tourists.

Dubrovka: A forgotten forest paradise

Dubrovka is a small village in the Zhytomyr region that was once known for its location among forests and natural beauty. Founded back in Soviet times, the village was popular among tourists who came here on vacation. But in the early 1990s, the population began to decline due to economic difficulties, and the village gradually became abandoned.

Today's Dubrovka is an abandoned area with remnants of the former recreation infrastructure. Nature is taking over the area, and nowadays you can only see the ruins of former hotels and empty streets.

In the previous article, we talked about tourist towns on the way from Kyiv to Zhytomyr

Kalush-2: A secret military town

Kalush-2 is a former military town near Kalush, Ivano-Frankivsk region, which was founded to serve Soviet military facilities. After the collapse of the USSR, the town lost its function as most of the military bases were closed and the military personnel and their families left.

Now Kalush-2 is an almost completely abandoned place with remnants of military facilities and empty houses. Tourists and stalkers often visit this place to explore the abandoned military installations and remnants of the Soviet era.

Unfortunately, today many cities in eastern and southern Ukraine, which were once centers of life, are turning into ghost towns because of Russia's military aggression. Homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure that served people for decades are being destroyed. The wreckage of once flourishing cities are now silent witnesses to the enemy's cruel actions. But even in dark times, the Ukrainian people are not broken. We believe that we will survive, win, and rebuild our country, bringing life back to these destroyed cities. Today, they are ghost towns, but tomorrow they will be symbols of our strength, resilience and renewal.

In addition to these silent witnesses of tragic history that attract modern stalkers and adventurers like museum pieces, Ukraine is also famous for its famous resorts and interesting tourist routes. Choose your fascinating tour of Ukraine on Visit Ukraine and make sure that the “yellow-blue” country is a real find for tourists of all categories.

Just a reminder! In the picturesque south of Ukraine, in Bessarabia, stands one of the largest medieval fortresses in Ukraine - Bilhorod-Dnistrovska, also known as Akkerman, also known as Moncastro Fortress. 

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