Historical Background of the Volyn Region
The reasons behind the naming of Volyn Oblast after the historic region of Volyn, rather than its administrative center Lutsk, reveal intriguing insights into the area's complex development. In 1991, Vyacheslav Chornovil advocated for a territorial and federal system in Ukraine, proposing federal land status for regions including Slobozhanshchyna, Galicia, Podillia, Tavria, Donbas, and Volyn.
Historically, Lutsk served as the administrative hub of the Volyn Voivodeship, established by Polish authorities in 1566. In 1921, Poland reinstated Lutsk as the center of the Volyn Governorate. Under the Russian Empire, between 1795 and 1797, the Volyn Governorate capital was initially at Zviahel (now Novograd-Volynskyi) before being relocated to Zhytomyr. As noted by Yurii Pylypenko, the practice of naming the entire region Volyn while having an administrative center in a differently named city was common during the Russian Imperial period.
Administrative Shifts and Population Dynamics
Following the 1921 Treaty of Riga, Volyn was divided: the eastern portion, including Zhytomyr, became part of the USSR, while the western section—with Lutsk, Rivne, and Kovel—fell under Polish control. The Polish-controlled area was organized as the Volyn Voivodeship (Województwo wołyńskie). In December 1939, Soviet authorities abolished the voivodeships and established oblasts, retaining much of the Polish administrative framework but separating eastern districts into the new Rivne Oblast.
Interestingly, in 1921, Rivne's population was 1.5 times larger than Lutsk's, boosted by the construction of key railways—Zdovbuniv-Rivne-Sarny and Rivne-Brest—between 1870 and 1880. This development transformed Rivne into a vital transport, trade, and military hub, allowing it to surpass the older city of Lutsk in population size.
Despite its smaller population at the time, Lutsk was chosen as the administrative center of the Volyn Voivodeship due to its four-century-long historical significance as Volyn's cultural and political heart, its central geographic location, and the presence of numerous preserved administrative and judicial buildings. As Yurii Pylypenko highlights, the Polish authorities selected Lutsk as the voivodeship's capital because of its enduring status as the historic center of Volyn. Both cities experienced significant growth between 1921 and 1939, with the 1931 census showing Lutsk narrowing the population gap to just 16% behind Rivne.
The name "Volyn" itself traces back to the 11th century, originating from the ancient city of Velin, which was later destroyed. In the 14th century, Lutsk's prominence as the capital of Volyn lands was solidified during the reign of Liubartas (Dmytro) Gediminovich. These historical and administrative elements contribute to the distinct identity of Volyn Oblast, an important region of Ukraine despite the seeming discrepancy between its name and administrative center.
This overview underscores the intricate historical evolution of Volyn and its governance structures. Although Lutsk remains a historically significant city, economic and demographic forces have shaped the current administrative boundaries. Today, Volyn continues to be a vital part of Ukraine, rich in historical heritage and cultural significance.