Voblast

A voblast (Russian: во́бласть, romanized: *vóblast’*, IPA: [ˈvobɫəsʲtʲ], plural: voblasti, во́бласти) is an administrative division used in several post-Soviet states, including Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. The term is derived from the Russian word for "region" or "province," and it serves as a primary level of regional administration below the national level but above the raion (district) level.

In Russia, voblasti were historically used during the Soviet era, particularly in the 1930s, but were later replaced by krais and oblasts (a different administrative unit). The term "oblast" (область) is now the standard designation for most Russian regions, while "voblast" is more commonly associated with Belarus and Ukraine. In Belarus, voblasts are the largest administrative divisions, each governed by a regional executive committee and a regional council. Ukraine also employs voblasts as first-level administrative units, though their status has varied over time, especially during periods of decentralization.

The structure of a voblast typically includes several raions (districts), cities with equivalent status to raions, and cities that are directly subordinate to the voblast administration. Each voblast has its own government, which oversees local governance, economic development, and infrastructure. The term "voblast" is sometimes used interchangeably with "oblast" in informal contexts, particularly in Russian-speaking regions, though the two are technically distinct in Belarusian and Ukrainian administrative terminology.

The number of voblasts varies by country. Belarus has six voblasts, while Ukraine historically had 24, though some have been merged or reorganized over time. These regions play a key role in implementing national policies at a local level and often serve as economic and cultural hubs for their respective areas.