Antratsyt or Antratsit (; ) is a city in southern Luhansk Oblast, the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Until 1962 it was known as Bokove-Antratsyt.
Antratsyt was incorporated as a city of oblast significance and was the centre of Antratsyt Municipality which includes six urban-type settlements. It also served as the administrative centre of Antratsyt Raion, though it does not belong to the raion. In July 2020, Antratsyt was incorporated into the newly-created Rovenky Raion, although the pro-Russian occupation authorities do not recognize this new status. Its population is approximately . Antratsyt came under control of pro-Russian separatists in early 2014, and was incorporated into the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR / LNR). After the 2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine, Russia claimed the city.
Name
Antratsyt is named after its large supply of anthracite, a type of coal valuable because of its high carbon content and low levels of impurities, making it especially desirable for home heating and metallurgical applications.
History
Evidence from archeological finds and burial mounds from 30,000 BC indicates the Saltovo-Mayaki were Antratsyt's earliest ancestors. Since the Saltovo-Mayaki were nomadic, the area was left uninhabited and considered part of the Wild Fields. It was only in the late 16th century that the Don Cossacks claimed the area, protecting it from Tatar and Mongol raids, and started farming settlements. In 1874, Cossack Ivan Dvuzhenov found coal nearby and by 1904, the Antratsyt Bokovsky Coal Mine was built. A small settlement grew around the mine and soon after, the Kolberg Coal Mine was built in 1912, allowing the settlement to grow and prosper. In 1920, the town was officially named Bokovo-Antratsyt after its first coal mine, which was later shortened to Antratsyt (1962). With the creation of the Soviet Union in 1922, the town became under the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic's rule. As an important center for coal extraction, the city was made a rayon center in 1936. From July 18, 1942 to February 19, 1943, the city was occupied by Nazi troops. Led by I.E. Voropayev, the city retaliated and regained its freedom. A quarter of Antratsyt's population at the time (7100) were awarded military honors and of those awarded, six were given the title Hero of the Soviet Union and three were given the Order of Glory.
Since 2014, Antratsyt has been located on the territory of the self proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic and is not controlled by Ukrainian authorities.
Demographics
The 2010 Ukrainian Census reported that Antratsyt had a population of 78,137. The ethnic makeup was 50.5% Ukrainian, 47.5% Russian, 1% Tatar, and 1% Belarusian. 85.9% spoke Russian, 11.1% Ukrainian, 0.1% Romani, 0.1% Armenian and 0.1% Belarusian as their native language.
Geography
Antratsyt is located south of Luhansk, north-east of Donetsk, and west of the Rostov region's border in Russia. Even though Antratsyt is rich in water resources, which include the Nagolna River and the Mius River as well as several artificial lakes, residents are only allowed running water between the times of 18:00 to 21:00. Antratsyt's City Council presides over following outskirt villages: Bokovo-Platov, Berhny Nagolchik, Dubovsky, Krepensky, Schetovo, Kamenny, and Shahta Tsentralnaya.
Climate
Antratsyt's climate is moderate continental with hot summers and cold winters. July temperatures range from 21.8 °C to 35 °C while January temperatures range from −6 °C to −15 °C. Annual precipitation is 400–500 mm.
Culture
Religion
Orthodox Christianity is the predominant religion in Antratsyt with five churches (Holy Protection, St. Alexander Nevsky, St. George, St. Kazan, Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa" Nina Apostles Church). Other active religions include Jehovah Witnesses, Baptists, and Islam. The Church of Alexander Nevsky in the outskirt village Bokovo-Platov is considered an architectural monument as it was built in 1954 and survived damage when outlawed by the Soviets.
Sports
Healthy living is important to the people of Antratsyt. There are many sports teams, music bands, dance groups, and clubs held either in the sports complex "Swimming Pool" or the adjoining stadium.