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Mykolaiv, also spelled Mykolayiv, is a port city in southern Ukraine located near the Black Sea, where the Southern Bug River flows into the Dnipro estuary. Known as the “City of Shipbuilders,” Mykolaiv has a long history tied to maritime industries, engineering, and trade.

Founded in 1789 by Prince Grigory Potemkin during the reign of Catherine the Great, the city was originally established as a shipbuilding center for the Russian Empire’s Black Sea Fleet. Today, it remains an important industrial hub, with several shipyards, ports, and factories that serve both domestic and international needs.

Mykolaiv is not only an industrial city — it also has a rich cultural life and green spaces. The Inhulsky and Central districts are home to historical buildings, cozy cafés, and wide boulevards lined with chestnut trees. The city’s Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding is famous throughout Ukraine for producing top engineers and naval architects.

One of the most iconic places in Mykolaiv is the Mykolaiv Zoo, considered one of the best in Ukraine. The city also features museums, theaters, and beautiful riverside promenades where locals enjoy walks, fishing, or summer festivals.

Despite the ongoing challenges brought by the Russian invasion, Mykolaiv has shown incredible resilience and strength. So far, the city has played a strategic role in Ukraine’s defense and has become a symbol of southern resistance and unity.

Mykolaiv continues to rebuild and inspire — not only through its history and industry, but through the courage of its people.