Ghost Towns of Ukraine — Abandoned Places with a Mysterious History

Ukraine is so vast that you can even find cities on its territory that are called ghost towns. In general, a ghost town in Ukraine is not such a rare phenomenon. 

There are quite a few cities and towns in Ukraine that have remained without a permanent population for various reasons and are now considered ghost towns. These places carry a mysterious atmosphere, preserving traces of a past that sometimes seems frozen in time. 

Ghost Towns of Ukraine

Ghost towns in Ukraine are not only historical monuments but also unique symbols that remind us of tragic events and changed destinies of entire communities. The concept of 'ghost town' concerns settlements that have lost their population due to environmental disasters, economic reasons, technological accidents, or military actions. 

There are plenty of such places in Ukraine—from large ones like Pripyat to small villages abandoned by people. They amaze with their dilapidation while simultaneously attracting tourists, photographers, and researchers eager to learn history and feel the atmosphere of the past.

Pripyat — the Most Famous Ghost Town (Chernobyl Exclusion Zone)

Of course, this list should start with the largest city that has long become a haunting ghost. It's hard to argue, but the most famous and undoubtedly symbolic ghost town in Ukraine is Pripyat, located near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. 

After the disaster of 1986, the city was completely evacuated, and its more than 50 thousand residents were forced to leave their homes. Today, Pripyat is an open-air museum city that has preserved many objects of Soviet architecture, empty houses, schoolyards, and playgrounds that have become symbols of tragedy. There remains a unique atmosphere that reminds us of the necessity of nuclear energy and human error. Today, within the Chernobyl zone, tours are conducted where one can legally visit Pripyat with a guide.

Orbita (Cherkasy Region) — an Unfinished Nuclear City

Orbita is a ghost town that never became a real residential area. In the Cherkasy region, it was planned to build a nuclear power station, and residential buildings were being constructed in Orbita for workers of this facility. However, due to changes in political decisions, construction was suspended, and the city was left unfinished and almost empty. Today, Orbita is an impressive desolate settlement with dilapidated buildings where remnants of Soviet architecture can be seen, telling stories of different realities of the past.

Sugar Town (Kirovohrad Region)

This abandoned locality arose around a sugar factory and was the center of life for the factory workers and their families. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the shutdown of the factory, the town was left without economic support, leading to gradual decline. Today, Sugar Town is an example of a typical industrial ghost town, where streets are deserted, empty buildings stand, and monuments of the past are preserved, which may interest urbanism enthusiasts.

Lyubech-1 (Chernihiv Region)

Lyubech-1 is a military town that was abandoned due to reforms and changes in the Ukrainian army. Located in a picturesque area, the town is now in a state of neglect, although it once had an active military base. The remnants of barracks, utility buildings, and infrastructure testify to the former intensity of life in this place. For military history enthusiasts and researchers, this location holds special appeal.

Old Solotvinskaya Mine (Transcarpathia) — Remnants of a Settlement

A unique example of a ghost town is the old mining territory of the Solotvinskaya mine in Transcarpathia. Once, many miners and their families lived here, but due to catastrophic geological processes and the threat of collapses, the settlement was gradually evacuated. Today, it is an abandoned place with remnants of buildings and mining structures that evoke the hard work and life in the mountainous areas.

The Railway Village of Buryakovka (Kyiv Region)

Buryakovka, once a lively railway village, played an important role in the region's transport system. Over time, due to changed routes and decreased significance of the railway, the village lost most of its residents. Today, abandoned railway buildings, a station, and residential houses that hold the spirit of the past can be seen here. For researchers and lovers of abandoned places, this is an interesting site to visit.

Poleske Town, Kyiv Region

Poleske is another town that ended up in the exclusion zone after the Chernobyl disaster. Originally, it had a population of several thousand people and was a typical Ukrainian town. After the Chernobyl accident, it was evacuated and now belongs to a territory with restricted access. The ruins of houses, empty streets, and nature gradually reclaiming its rights create an incredible atmosphere of mystique and abandonment.

Tips for Those Who Want to Visit Such Places

Although ghost towns are popular among Ukrainians and tourists, not all towns can be visited very easily. 

Here are some tips that will literally keep everyone safe:

1. Follow the law. Some towns, such as Pripyat or Poleske, are located in exclusion zones, for which one must obtain official permission and be accompanied by a guide to visit.
2. Be cautious of your safety. Abandoned buildings are often dangerous—there may be collapses, open wells, unstable structures.
3. Bring necessary equipment. A flashlight, sturdy shoes, a first aid kit, and water are essential when visiting.
4. Respect history. Do not destroy or take artifacts from abandoned places, preserving these monuments is important for future generations.
5. It’s better to go in a group. Traveling with friends or on an organized tour will make the trip safer and more interesting.

Ghost towns of Ukraine are a special layer of history that tells about the changes in the country's life, tragedies, and hopes. They attract not only researchers and urbanism enthusiasts but also anyone who wants to feel the spirit of the past, look behind the scenes of modernity, and ponder the future.