September 15 in the history of Mykolaiv is primarily associated with shipbuilding, the city’s symbols and aviation. On this day the lead ship of a new generation was laid down at the 61 Communard Shipyard, the famous monument to shipbuilders was unveiled for Mykolaiv’s 200th anniversary, and in independent Ukraine the city attempted to revive its international airport. For the Korabelnyi District the date is remembered for large-scale military aviation exercises at the Kulbakine airfield.
September 15, 1959: the lead gas-turbine ship of Project 61 was laid down in Mykolaiv
At the 61 Communard Shipyard in Mykolaiv the lead ship of Project 61, “Komsomolets of Ukraine,” was laid down. The Mykolaiv Regional Children’s Library recalls it as the first large Soviet anti-submarine ship with gas-turbine engines. Project 61 marked an important step in the transition of military shipbuilding from traditional steam-turbine plants to gas turbines; the lead ship was launched at the end of 1960.
September 15, 1989: the famous “Ball” appeared in downtown Mykolaiv
During the celebration of Mykolaiv’s 200th anniversary a monument to shipbuilders and naval commanders was unveiled at the intersection of today’s Soborna Street and Central Avenue. The central element of the composition was a large bronze globe surrounded by 11 three-meter figures. Residents quickly gave the monument their own nicknames — “the Ball” and “Sharayiv Kurgan.” According to the city’s cultural department, it was the last monument installed in Mykolaiv from the Socialist Realism era.
September 15, 2015: the city created the municipal enterprise “Mykolaiv International Airport”
At a session of the Mykolaiv City Council, deputies supported the creation of the municipal enterprise “Mykolaiv International Airport” — the decision was voted for by 53 deputies. This step was intended to form the basis for the restoration and development of the city’s civil aviation. The airport was later renovated and at the end of 2018 it operated the first international flight after reconstruction, but during the full-scale war the airfield was heavily damaged.
September 15, 2019: all types of tactical aviation trained over Kulbakine
At the Kulbakine military airfield in the Korabelnyi District of Mykolaiv a flight-methodical gathering of the Ukrainian Air Force was held. Crews from various branches of tactical aviation and final-year cadets of the Kharkiv National Air Force University were involved in the exercises. Pilots practiced strikes on air and ground targets, and the training took place under the personal supervision of then Air Force commander Serhiy Drozdov.
September 15, 2021: Mykolaiv Zoo celebrated 120 years
As part of the City Day program a festive event “We are 120!” was held at the Mykolaiv Zoo. One of the oldest zoos in Ukraine traces its history to the private collection of Mykola Pavlovych Leontovych, opened to visitors in 1901. Today the institution remains one of the city’s most recognizable symbols.
September 15, 2023: Mykolaiv presented the “For the Defense of Mykolaiv” distinction
City authorities presented the Mayor’s Honorary Distinction “For the Defense of Mykolaiv.” It was created for military personnel, volunteers, company employees and others who helped hold the city during the Russian offensive in 2022. More than 50 sketches and creative proposals were submitted to the award design contest; in subsequent years the distinction began to be awarded to hundreds of defenders and city collectives.
This day in Ukraine and the world
September 15, 1893 in the USA saw the first issue of the Ukrainian-language newspaper “Svoboda.” The publication, founded by priest Hryhoriy Hruska, became one of the main information centers of the Ukrainian diaspora and the oldest Ukrainian-language newspaper in the world that continues to be published. And on September 15, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, the British army used tanks en masse in combat for the first time — near Flers–Courcelette.
September 15 left truly notable traces in Mykolaiv: from a new generation of warships and a monument to shipbuilders to attempts to revive civil aviation, military exercises at Kulbakine and the introduction of a city award for the defense of the city.
Previously we wrote:
- Lions, giraffes and people with big hearts: Mykolaiv Zoo — 125 years
- Ukraine prepares the return of air traffic: a working group for airport restoration has been created
- “For the Defense of Mykolaiv”: the mayor awarded volunteers
- Helped hold the front: “For the Defense of the City” medals were presented in Mykolaiv
- 35 thousand for work at the ghost airport: Kim defended the director
