Izium

Izium Ізюм Izyum
City
From top, left to right: Ascension Cathedral Church of the Exaltation of the Cross Church of Transfiguration World War II memorial
Flag Coat of arms
Izium Location of Izium in Kharkiv Oblast Show map of Kharkiv Oblast Izium Location of Izium in Ukraine Show map of Ukraine
Coordinates: 49°12′46″N 37°15′25″E / 49.21278°N 37.25694°E / 49.21278; 37.25694
Country	Ukraine
Oblast	Kharkiv Oblast
Raion	Izium Raion
Founded	1681
City status	1765
Government
• Mayor	Valerii Marchenko[1] (Servant of the People[1])
Area
• Total	43.6 km2 (16.8 sq mi)
Elevation	71 m (233 ft)
Population  (2022)
• Total	44,979
• Density	1,000/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Postal code	64300
Area code	380-5743
Licence plate	АХ, КХ
Website	city-izyum.gov.ua

Izium or Izyum^[2][3] (Ukrainian: Ізюм, IPA: [iˈzʲum] ^ⓘ; Russian: Изюм) is a city on the Donets River in Kharkiv Oblast, eastern Ukraine. It serves as the administrative center of Izium Raion. Izium hosts the administration of Izium urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.^[4] It is about 120 kilometres (75 mi) southeast of the administrative center of the oblast, Kharkiv.

Izium has a population of 44,979 (2022 estimate),^[5] making it the second-most populous city in Kharkiv Oblast behind Kharkiv proper. It has held economic significance for centuries due to its position as a transportation link between Kharkiv and the Donbas region to the southeast.

The area around Izium has been periodically inhabited since ancient times, but the modern city has its origins in a 17th-century fortress defending against Tatar raids. Izium went on to be the site of several significant battles during World War II, but still grew rapidly during the 20th century due to its importance as a transport hub. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces occupied the city in April 2022 after a battle that destroyed much of the city. However, the city was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive.