Svitlovodsk

Svitlovodsk (Світловодськ) is a city located on the banks of the Dnieper River in Oleksandriia Raion, part of Kirovohrad Oblast in central Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Svitlovodsk urban hromada, one of the many hromadas of Ukraine. The city has a population of around

Between 1962 and 1969, the city was briefly renamed Kremhes, reflecting its status as a satellite city of Kremenchuk.

Administrative status
Until 18 July 2020, Svitlovodsk was designated as a city of oblast significance and belonged to the Svitlovodsk Municipality. It was the administrative center of Svitlovodsk Raion, even though it did not belong to the raion. As part of the administrative reform of Ukraine (which reduced the number of raions of Kirovohrad Oblast to four), Svitlovodsk Municipality was merged into Oleksandriia Raion.

History
Svitlovodsk was created in the 1950s during Khrushchev's regime to replace Novogeorgievsk, a town in the flood plain of the dam for the new Kremenchuk Hydroelectric Power Plant, and to house the dam workers. The power plant was needed for the smelting of industry-grade metals and alloys, for defense purposes. The facility was secret for several years, but is operating today as a private enterprise.

When the dam was completed, Khrushchev attended the opening ceremonies. The city then expanded westward, along the coast. In local culture, the city is divided into Old Svitlovodsk and New Svitlovodsk.

Twin towns – sister cities

 * 🇩🇪 Schorndorf, Germany (2023)

Transportation
Transportation through the city is primarily through private-run bus lines with mini-buses, although the main buses still run. There is a working bus station near the east side of town. There is also a bus depot near the dam, as well as a train that runs along the dam and goes to the village.

Highlights of the city
The town hall is in the Old Svitlovodsk area and the eternal fire memorial is just below near the airplane memorial. The city is the birthplace of the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and Ukrainian politician Mykola Martynenko. The market is located in New Svitlovodsk. There are two monuments near the market. Below them are a series of water fountains that go downward. The aforementioned bus depot and train stations are also highlights.

Notable people
Yuri Malenchenko – cosmonaut.