Novorossiya

historical region, Ukraine

Also known as: New Russia

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June 17, 2026

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Novorossiya, meaning "New Russia," is a historical region that encompasses Ukraine's Black Sea coastline. This territory was colonized in the late 18th century by migrants from various regions, significantly expanding Ukrainian ethnic territory. The major Black Sea port of Odessa grew into a large, cosmopolitan city within this region.12

The term "Novorossiya" has also been used by Vladimir Putin to describe an area that includes the entirety of Ukraine's Black Sea coastline, a concept he invoked in his military actions in Ukraine starting in 2014. This action was a violation of the Budapest Memorandum, an agreement where Ukraine surrendered its nuclear arsenal in exchange for respect for its borders.1

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Ukraine
Ukraine under direct imperial Russian rule
…sparsely settled southern lands (named Novorossiya, or New Russia) were colonized by migrants from other parts of Ukraine, as well as smaller numbers from Russia, the Balkans, and Germany. This colonization movement greatly expanded Ukrainian ethnic territory. The new Black Sea port of Odessa (Odesa) grew into a large and…
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…sparsely settled southern lands (named Novorossiya, or New Russia) were colonized by migrants from other parts of Ukraine, as well as smaller numbers from Russia, the Balkans, and Germany. This colonization movement greatly expanded Ukrainian ethnic territory. The new Black Sea port of Odessa (Odesa) grew into a large and…
Read More