Demydivka

Demydivka (Ukrainian: Демидівка, Polish: Demidówka) is an urban-type settlement in Rivne Oblast of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Demydivka Raion. The settlement is located 40 km from the railway station on the Dubno-Krasne-Zdolbuniv line. Population: 2,496 (2020 est.)[1]

Demydivka

Демидівка
Town
Flag
Coat of arms
Demydivka
Demydivka
Coordinates: 50°25′00″N 25°20′00″E
CountryUkraine
OblastRivne Oblast
RaionDemydivka Raion
Area
 • Total16.89 km2 (6.52 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,496

Demydivka is located on both banks of a small Zhabychi River, 80 km from Rivne and 35 km from the Dubno railway station. The population is 3.5 thousand people. Dubliany and Lishnya are subordinated to Demydivka's village council.

History
Historical affiliations

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth 1570–1795
 Russian Empire 1795–1917
 Second Polish Republic 1919–1945
   Soviet Union 1939–1941 (occupation)
   Nazi Germany 1941–1944 (occupation)
   Soviet Union 1944–1945 (occupation)
 Soviet Union 1945–1991
 Ukraine 1991–present

Archaeological findings (stone axes, hammer) indicate that these lands were inhabited in the Bronze Age. Also, Roman coins of the 3rd century were found, remains of an ancient city are preserved. In the village Lishnya, which is located at a distance of two kilometers from Demydivka, traces of the ancient ruins of the castle were remained, around which there was a deep ditch that was filled with water. The territory where a castle was situated is called Zamchysko.

The town was first mentioned in 1570, and it was called Demydiv then. At the beginning of 17th century, Demydiv was a small village, which belonged to several landlords. In 1629, it consisted of 21 houses.

During the liberation war of 1648–1654, the people of towns and villages along the rivers Stir and Ikva struggled against Polish Noblemen oppression. And now, farmers in the fields between Demydivka and Berestechko are still finding weapons and personal belongings of the Cossacks.

The position of the residents of Demydivka remained under the Poland dominion. After the Treaty of Perpetual Peace in the 1686, the situation worsened. The amount of the serfdom was, on average, 5–6 days a week. In addition, farmers had come to "zazhynky", "obzhynky" (kinds of public work), and pay "chynsh" (a special kind of tax). During the 18th century, a lot of rebellions took place. Inhabitants of Demydivka also took part in insurrectional movement. In 1702, residents of Demydivka gave support to the rebels.

The population of Demydivka grew very slowly. In 1775, there were around 43 houses. At the time of the census in 1797, there were 679 inhabitants, which made Demydivka a town. Part of the inhabitants engaged in making handicrafts.

In 1795, Demydivka became a part of the Russian State. Until 1860, it was possession of landlords Harchynski. Later, it became the property of the State Treasury.

Demydivka's workers had to work hard even after the abolition of serfdom. Each able-bodied person had to cultivate 6 "morgs" (3.5 hectares) of land, that was almost unsuitable for the agricultural use. Farmers had to pay double the real cost for that land. Inhabitants of Demydivka did not suffer just from social oppression, in 1870 and 1873, there were two conflagrations, which burned 76 houses. Only 53 houses remained. Most of victims of the conflagrations were forced to leave their houses, seek livelihoods, and start again from nothing.

Demydivka was being restored very slowly. At the time of the census in 1897, there were 679 inhabitants. It became a town. Part of the inhabitants engaged in handicraft. Private families that lived in Demydivka went bankrupt and had to work at the plants. In the late 19th and early 20th century, several small enterprises opened that were rich enough. They were a sawmill and four small factories. A big fair in Demydivka happened three times a year. The town became alive and crowded.

The revolutionary events of 1905–1907 found repercussions in Demydivka, too. There was rebellion, and conflicts with the police took place. Peasants attacked the officers' houses, shouting, "Bloodsuckers! bribetakers! out with police! get out!". The workers were not frightened with terror during the "Period of reaction".

The cultural level of the town was very low. There were no mail, medical, cultural and educational institutions in Demydivka. Only in 1913 was a school opened, but not all children had the opportunity to study there.

Workers of Demydivka resented enforcement obligations, and the high cost. The situation got worse when in August 1915 the Austro-German troops conquered the western part of the country. In early September 1915, Demydivka was occupied by the Austro-Hungarian troops. The 8th part of the Russian army under General Brusilov on September 10, saved the town.

Since the formation of the Rivne Oblast, Demydivka is one of its regional centers.

During the Soviet-German war in 1941, the raion was occupied by Nazi German troops. During this period, thousands of people were killed. According to the Soviet State Extraordinary Commission, in October 1942, 600 Jews were shot and buried in a pit that had been dug before the shooting.[2]

In 1962, Demydivka Raion was broken up and Demydivka became a part of Mlynivsky raion.

In 1996, Demydivka Raion was renewed. Now there is a school, a hospital, a canning factory and a lot of private enterprises.

References
  1. "Чисельність наявного населення України (Actual population of Ukraine)" (PDF) (in Ukrainian). State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  2. "Execution Sites of Jewish Victims Investigated by Yahad-In Unum". Yahad-In Unum Interactive Map. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
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