Kakhovka is a small port city on the east bank of the Dnieper River. The city covers roughly thirty square kilometers and had an estimated thirty-five thousand residents in 2022. Its name honors Governor Vasiliy Kakhovsky, who ordered the construction of a fortress and trade post on the site in 1791. Alcohol can be purchased legally from age eighteen in licensed establishments; narcotics are strictly prohibited. Kakhovka holds the status of a city of oblast significance.

History
The story of Kakhovka stretches back to strategic frontier defenses of the late 18th century. In 1791, following the Russian annexation of Crimea, Colonel Dmitry Kulikovsky erected a wooden fortress at the mouth of the Tyligul River where it meets the Dnieper. This outpost was designed to protect newly acquired territories and to serve as a trading hub for grain, fish, and salt. It was named Kakhovka after the governor of the Taurida region, Vasiliy Kakhovsky. For decades the settlement remained a military outpost and a seasonal marketplace for Cossacks, Nogai herders, and Ukrainian peasants.
By the mid-19th century the fortress had been replaced by stone ramparts, and the town began to flourish. In 1848 it received official city status, attracting merchants who built warehouses and shipyards along the river. The arrival of the Zaporizhzhia–Nikolaev railway in the 1870s transformed Kakhovka into a transport node, linking its grain elevators and fishing fleets to Black Sea ports. Despite periodic flooding and outbreaks of cholera, the city grew steadily. Its population peaked near twenty thousand by the early 20th century, comprised of Ukrainians, Russians, Jews, and Germans who worked in milling, metalworking, and river navigation.
The revolutionary upheavals of 1917–1921 brought conflict to Kakhovka’s streets. Control shifted from the provisional government’s forces to Bolsheviks, then to White Army units under Wrangel, and finally back to the Red Army in late 1920. Soviet rule introduced collectivization of surrounding farmlands and construction of a sugar refinery in the 1930s. During World War II, Kakhovka was occupied by Axis forces from August 1941 until liberated by Soviet troops in November 1943 during the Battle of the Dnieper. The Germans operated a prison and used local residents for forced labor on fortifications.
Postwar reconstruction focused on energy and industry. In 1956 a hydroelectric plant and dam were completed upstream, forming the Kakhovka Reservoir which flooded meadows and archaeological sites but supplied power to the region. The city expanded housing, schools, and medical facilities as it absorbed workers for the dam and a new electro-welding equipment plant. In 1972 Kakhovka was elevated to city of oblast significance, granting it administrative autonomy from the surrounding raion.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 brought economic challenges. State factories struggled with privatization and debt, and many workers sought opportunities in larger Ukrainian cities. Yet Kakhovka retained importance as a transport hub and grain transshipment point. Cultural life revived around annual festivals celebrating Cossack heritage and river traditions. A modern aquapark and sports complex opened in the 2000s, and historic buildings in the old town were restored.
Russian military operations in 2022 affected Kakhovka deeply. Occupied in February, the city saw interruptions to electricity, water and communications. In June 2023 the nearby dam was destroyed, triggering a catastrophic flood that inundated low-lying neighborhoods, farmland and protected wetlands downstream. Emergency evacuations documented both heroic rescues and tragic losses of life. Efforts to rebuild levees and restore basic services continue amid war-time conditions. Despite adversity, local leaders and volunteers work to maintain schools, hospitals and community centers, hoping that peace will allow Kakhovka to reclaim its quiet riverfront charm.

Industry
The Electric Welding Equipment Factory produces industrial machinery used around the world. The sugar factory processes beets harvested from nearby collective farms. The city was once known for its high-capacity grain storage facilities. Industrial production peaked during the Soviet era.

Flora and Fauna
The riverbank steppes around Kakhovka host poplars, willows and wild rose shrubs. Flood-plain meadows support stands of switchgrass and reed beds that provide breeding grounds for migratory birds. Endemic flower species include Ukrainian iris and steppe feather grass. The European pond turtle and the grass snake are protected under Red Data Book. Common wildlife comprises hares, foxes and various waterfowl. Brown recluse spiders inhabit old warehouses. Domestic animals are chiefly sheep, goats and backyard poultry. Export of listed species and plant specimens is controlled by national environmental agencies.

Religion and Races
Orthodoxy predominates, with most parishioners attending an Orthodox church. A small Catholic parish and several Protestant congregations serve local minorities. Historically, Kakhovka had an active Jewish community, but it has dwindled since World War II and post-Soviet emigration. Ethnic Ukrainians make up about seventy percent of the population, Russians twenty percent, and a small number of Belarusians, Armenians, and other nationalities make up the remainder. Religious life centers around Christmas, Easter, and the feast of St. Nicholas.

Wars and Conflicts
Kakhovka, being a border fortress, has always been associated with regional wars. The city changed hands during the Russian Civil War and then during World War II.

Living Standard
The per capita income in Kakhovka is below the national average, but housing and basic goods remain affordable.

Medicine
Healthcare is delivered through a central city hospital, a maternity clinic and private medical offices. Pharmacies operate daily, but drug shortages can occur. Tourists should carry valid travel insurance and bring essential prescriptions. No vector-borne tropical diseases exist; routine vaccinations for tetanus and hepatitis are recommended.

Sport
Football is the most popular sport, with the local amateur club competing in regional leagues. Volleyball and basketball are taught in school gyms. There are no major international events, but local tournaments attract visitors.

Holidays
New Year and Orthodox Christmas on January 7 are holidays with fireworks and family gatherings. Victory Day on May 9 is marked by wreath-laying ceremonies at war memorials. City Day is celebrated at the end of August.

Traditions
Easter baskets with painted eggs and baked paskas are carried to the church. Parishioners are expected to arrive on time for communal meals, politely accept toasts, and remove their shoes when entering private homes.

Interesting Facts
The name Kakhovka is associated with a dam and reservoir built in Soviet times that once held back the waters of the Dnieper. In the late 19th century, up to forty thousand seasonal workers flocked here to work on grain trucks, earning the city the nickname “the workers’ capital.” Scenes from films about Cossack heritage were filmed on the riverbank. The city museum contains artifacts from the peasant uprisings of 1920 and local Cossack regalia. Films such as The Elusive Avengers, which tells the story of young Red Army soldiers during the Civil War, were shot in the vicinity of Kakhovka. Kakhovka’s sugar refinery was one of the USSR’s largest in the 1930s. Since 2012 Kakhovka has hosted the Tavria Games music festival on the reservoir shore. In 2023 the dam collapse released 18 billion cubic meters of water, flooding thousands of hectares of farmland.

Money
ATMs and bank branches are located on the main street. Credit cards are accepted in large shops, but cash is preferred at markets. Exchange offices offer the best rates in the city centre. Tipping in restaurants of ten percent of the amount is accepted but not required.

Household Details
Electricity is supplied at 220 V, 50 Hz, with European style sockets. Mobile coverage by national providers ensures basic 3G service; 4G is intermittent. Public Wi-Fi is available in cafés and municipal buildings.

Clothing
In winter temperatures can drop below –15 °C; insulated coats, hats and gloves are essential. Spring and autumn require layered clothing and waterproof jackets. Summers reach highs of 30 °C, making light shirts and trousers comfortable. Modest attire is advisable in religious sites.

Tourism
To fully experience Kakhovka, plan 2-3 days.

List of Tourist Attractions
The embankment is a landscaped embankment with a panoramic view of the barges crossing and the old stone pier.
The Museum of Local History is located in a former merchant’s mansion, where Cossack artifacts, traditional costumes and photographs of past floods are presented.
The legendary Tachanka is a monument to the Civil War, located on a mound, the earth for which was brought from the battlefields.
The Girl in a Greatcoat is a monument to female fighters of the Civil War.

Local Cuisine
Borscht made from local beets. Fried pike perch and carp are popular with potatoes. Dumplings with cottage cheese or cherries are common at family meals. Homemade wine accompanies the festivities.

Why Visit
Kakhovka invites travelers to explore little-known lands where the history of the borderland, legends of the Scythians and the history of the battles of the Civil War are intertwined.

Safety for Tourists
Although there is a low level of ordinary crime, armed conflicts continue nearby and damage to infrastructure can be dangerous. Caution is required in flooded areas and on broken dams. River currents are strong; swimming is not recommended. Mines may be found away from roads. Emergency services respond to calls to 112.

Tourist Infrastructure
Accommodation options include a city hotel, private guest houses and a youth hostel by the river. English is not widely spoken here.

Entry Rules
A valid passport is required for entry. Customs prohibits the import of fresh meat, dairy products and large amounts of undeclared cash. Cultural property and endangered species are subject to export controls.

Transport
Regional route taxis connect Kakhovka with Kherson, Mykolaiv and large villages. Buses and route taxis depart from the central bus station.

Automobile
Driving is on the right. Visitors with an international driving permit may rent cars at the regional airport in Kherson. There are no toll roads in Kherson Oblast. Speed limits are sixty km/h in towns and ninety on regional roads. Winter tires are recommended from December through February. Police checkpoints may request documents; bribery is illegal but still reported. Free street parking is common, though spaces along the promenade fill up early.

Noise Regulations
Quiet hours run from 10 PM to 7 AM in residential districts. Loud music and construction are prohibited during these times. Public celebrations often conclude by midnight.

Daily Budget Tourist
A budget traveler can expect to pay $30–$40 per night for accommodation, street food, and public transportation. The average budget of $60–$90 includes a private room, restaurant meals, and occasional taxi rides. Hotel rates start at $150.

Not Recommended or Forbidden
Flying drones over strategic infrastructure requires special permits. Political demonstrations are illegal for unauthorized participants. Avoid photographing military installations. Consumption of wild mushrooms and berries without a guide can lead to poisoning.

Climate
Kakhovka has a continental climate with hot summers reaching thirty-five °C and cold winters falling to –15 °C. Spring and autumn are short but very pleasant. The best time to visit is late May to early June for mild weather and August for harvest festivals.

Travel Tips
Bring a hard copy of your passport and visa. Bring insect repellent and sturdy shoes for outdoor activities. Learn basic greetings to make communication easier. Always check local safety guidelines before leaving the city.