Chermalyk (Ukrainian: Чермалик; Russian: Чермалык; Greek: Τσερμαλίκ) is a village in Mariupol Raion (district) in Donetsk Oblast (province) of eastern Ukraine, near the northern banks of the Sea of Azov.
Geography
Chermalyk is situated approximately 39.3 km south of the centre of Donetsk city and about 40 km from Mariupol, on the left bank of the Kalmius river. It covers an area of 1.75 km² (0.68 sq mi) and sits at an elevation of 70 m (230 ft) above sea level.
History
The village was founded in 1779 by Greek settlers who migrated from the Crimean village of Chermalyk (among others) in 1778, as part of the resettlement of Crimean Greeks to the northern Azov region under the Russian Empire. The village was originally populated by Urums (Turkic-speaking Greeks) and Rumeis (Greek-speaking Greeks). Between 1946 and 2000, the village was known as Zamozhnoye.
Demographics
According to the 2001 Ukrainian census, the population of Chermalyk was 1,908. The native language breakdown was:
- Russian: 82.91%
- Greek (including Mariupol Greek and Urum): 8.54%
- Ukrainian: 8.33%
Administrative Status
Chermalyk is part of the Sartana settlement hromada within Mariupol Raion. Prior to 11 December 2014, it belonged to the Telmanovsky District (now renamed Boykivske Raion). Its postal code is 87142, and its area code is +380 6279.
Modern Context
Due to its location on the frontline of the war in Donbas, Chermalyk has experienced significant damage from the conflict. The village lies near the contact line, with pro-Russian separatist positions visible on the opposite bank of the Kalmius river.
