Lysychansk (Ukrainian: Лисича́нськ [lɪsɪˈtʃɑnʲsʲk]; Russian: Лисича́нск [lʲɪsʲɪˈtɕansk]) is a city in the Sievierodonetsk Raion of the Luhansk Oblast in Eastern Ukraine occupied by Russia. Prior to 2020 municipal classification reforms, it was incorporated as a city of oblast significance. It is located on the high right bank of the Donets river, approximately 115 km from the oblast capital, Luhansk. It faces Sievierodonetsk across the river. Its population prior to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine was approximately 93,340 (2022 est.). Prior to 2022, the administration of Lysychansk Municipality included the settlements of Novodruzhesk and Pryvillia. Together with the cities of Sievierodonetsk, Rubizhne, Kreminna and the nearest towns. The Lysychansk area constituted a major urban and industrial hub of the Donbas area, with a 2009 population of about 353,000. In the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the city became the site of fierce fighting, and a major battle, the Battle of Lysychansk, which ended with the capture of the city by Russian forces and the Luhansk People's Republic on 2 July. After the September 2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine, Russia claimed the city was now part of Russia. During the Battle of Lysychansk, the city's population was reported to have fallen to 10-12,000. It is unknown how many residents are currently in the city.
