Devnya

Devnya (Ukrainian: Девня; Russian: Девня) is a town in southwestern Ukraine that functions as the former administrative centre of Devnya Raion in Odesa Oblast. The settlement lies about 65 kilometres north of Odesa city along the banks of the Dniester River and is situated near the border with Moldova. It covers an area of roughly 17 square kilometres.

According to the 2020 Ukrainian census, Devnya has a population of 9,856 residents. The demographic composition is predominantly Ukrainian, with small communities of Russian and Moldovan minorities, reflecting the region’s diverse ethnic heritage.

The earliest written reference to Devnya dates to the mid‑18th century, when it was a modest village in the Russian Empire. The town grew rapidly after the construction of the Odesa–Bender railway line in the late 19th century, which made it a local transport hub. Under Soviet rule, Devnya became an industrial node, with the establishment of the Devnya Sugar Factory and other light manufacturing enterprises. The local economy today remains focused on food processing, textiles, and agriculture, supported by a network of small and medium‑sized businesses.

Notable cultural sites include the Devnya Municipal Museum of Local History, which chronicles the settlement’s evolution from a rural community to an industrial town, and the 17th‑century St. Andrew’s Church. The town also hosts an annual cultural festival that showcases regional music and crafts. Devnya’s railway station provides passenger and freight connections to Odesa and Bilhorod‑Dnistrovskyi.

In 2020 the Ukrainian administrative reform abolished Devnya Raion, incorporating the territory into the larger Odesa Raion. The town now operates as part of this larger administrative unit while maintaining its local governance structures.