Novoazovsk

Novoazovsk (Новоазовськ, ; Новоазовск) is a border city on the south-eastern tip of Ukraine (near the border with Russia), in Kalmiuske Raion (district), in Donetsk Oblast (province). Population: ; 12,702 (2001).


 * 1849–1923 Novonikolayevka
 * 1923–1959 Budyonivka
 * 1959–present Novoazovsk

Novoazovsk and adjacent areas are the only places in Ukraine where the great black-headed gull (Larus ichthyaetus) lives.

History
Beginning in mid-April 2014 pro-Russian separatists captured several towns in Donetsk Oblast; including Novoazovsk. In June 2014 Ukrainian forces reportedly secured the city from the separatists. The situation around the town then became relatively quiet. On 25 August 2014, Ukraine claimed that Russian soldiers disguised as separatists had opened a new front in the War in Donbass with an offensive against Mariupol. Ukraine claimed it had blocked this offensive near Novoazovsk. Fighting in the area continued on 26 August 2014. According to a Ukrainian Dnipro Battalion commander, Novoazovsk was overrun by Russian tanks and fell to the Russians on 27 August. This claim was confirmed by Ukrainian authorities the next day. On the other hand, separatist leaders on the same day claimed that the town was taken by separatist forces as part of an offensive against Mariupol.

Climate
The climate in Novoazovsk is a hot/warm summer subtype (Köppen: Dfa) of the humid continental climate.