October 23 has left many important events in the history of Korabelnyi District and Mykolaiv. On this day, the Balabanivka Forest Reserve was established, shipbuilders launched a modernized vessel, and city residents fought for their rights. There were tragic chapters, too: the deaths of defenders, a missile strike on apartment buildings, and the exposure of Russian agents at a defense enterprise.
October 23, 1984: Balabanivka Forest was granted reserve status
By decision of the Executive Committee of the Mykolaiv Regional Council No. 448, the Balabanivka Forest Reserve of local importance was established, covering an area of 510 hectares. Its purpose is to protect natural complexes, rare plants, and the riverside sands of the Southern Buh. Despite its protected status, the territory’s boundaries remained unformally established for decades. It was not until 2026 that a court ordered the state-owned enterprise Forests of Ukraine to set these boundaries.
October 23, 1986: Mykolaiv Alumina Plant employees left a message for posterity
At the new Metallurg Palace of Culture, amateur performers from the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant prepared a message to future generations of performers. The letter, dated October 23, 1986, urged them to preserve the enterprise’s cultural traditions. It was signed by members of the VIA Konspekt and the disco club. 31 years later, in 2017, a tube containing the message was accidentally found during an inventory of the former palace of culture.
October 23, 2014: the mother of a fallen defender was awarded his order
Korabelov.info reported that the mother of Oleksandr Mykolaiovych Kostyushko, a fallen soldier from Korabelnyi District, had received a state award. The ceremony took place the previous day, October 22, at the district administration. Nadiia Andriivna Kostyushko received the Order for Courage, 3rd Class. Her son was killed on July 13, 2014, while on a combat mission in the Luhansk region.
October 23, 2015: nearly UAH 19 million in debts at the Okean shipyard reported
One of Mykolaiv’s largest shipbuilding plants remained among the main employers owing back wages. As reported that day, citing the regional social protection department, the Okean shipyard’s wage arrears amounted to UAH 18,648,000. At the same time, the 61 Communards Shipyard owed its employees a further UAH 16,563,000.
October 23, 2020: a vessel extended by 24 meters launched at Okean
Mykolaiv shipbuilders launched the modernized Turkish dry cargo vessel DREMORA 3. At the Okean shipyard, it was extended from 90 to 114 meters, increasing its carrying capacity by 1,339 tonnes to 4,768 tonnes. The large-scale work took 140 days.
October 23, 2022: an S-300 missile destroyed apartments in Korabelnyi District
At around 1:30 a.m., Russian forces attacked Mykolaiv with S-300 missiles. One struck a five-story apartment building on Samoilovycha Street in Korabelnyi District, destroying part of the apartments. Five people were injured. That day, the city counted approximately 250 broken windows and 115 damaged balcony frames as a result of the overnight strikes.
October 23, 2022: a defender from Korabelnyi District was killed in the Kharkiv region
During fighting in the Kharkiv region, Serhii Trishchanovych, a serviceman with the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade, was killed. The defender had been wounded several times, received treatment, and returned to the front. On November 1, 2022, people gathered to say farewell to him in Mykolaiv, after which he was buried with military honors in Korabelnyi District.
October 23, 2023: Mykolaiv region breaks a 78-year temperature record
Mykolaiv meteorologists recorded the highest October temperature for the entire period of observations, which began in 1945. In Voznesensk, the air warmed to +32°C. The previous absolute October maximum was surpassed, and the unusual heat became one of the season’s weather records.
October 23, 2024: Kim and Arakhamiia acted as guarantors for MP Kormyshkina
The High Anti-Corruption Court imposed a preventive measure on Iryna Kormyshkina, a Member of Parliament from the Mykolaiv region, who was suspected of illegally acquiring more than UAH 20 million. The court ordered personal surety, with Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration head Vitalii Kim and parliamentary faction leader of Servant of the People David Arakhamia acting as guarantors. At the time, the pre-trial investigation was ongoing, and Kormyshkina had not been found guilty in a court verdict.
October 23, 2025: two suspected Russian GRU agents exposed at a defense plant
The Security Service of Ukraine reported the arrest of two employees of a defense enterprise in the Mykolaiv region—a laboratory assistant and a mechanic. According to investigators, they independently passed the Russian military intelligence service the coordinates of production workshops, information about the plant’s security, and details of the aftermath of shelling. Both were notified that they were suspected of treason. At the time of the report, they were in custody and faced life imprisonment.
On this day in Ukraine and around the world
October 23, 1943 — troops of the 4th Ukrainian Front liberated Melitopol from Nazi occupation after fierce fighting for the German defensive line known as the Wotan Line. The operation was an important stage in the Soviet offensive in southern Ukraine.
October 23, 1956 — the Hungarian Revolution against the communist regime and Soviet domination began in Budapest. Peaceful student demonstrations turned into an armed uprising. On November 4, Soviet forces launched a major operation to crush it.
October 23, 1990 — the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR accepted the resignation of Council of Ministers Chairman Vitalii Masol. This followed pressure from students during the Revolution on Granite, which took place in Kyiv from October 2 to 17. Vitold Fokin was appointed acting head of government. The following day, October 24, a law was adopted abolishing the provision in the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR that established the Communist Party’s leading role.
Such a varied October 23 in the history of Mykolaiv and Ukraine: from the preservation of Balabanivka Forest and the development of shipbuilding to the struggle for freedom, the remembrance of fallen defenders, and resistance to Russian aggression.
Previously, we wrote:
- Hundreds of hectares of nature left without boundaries for years: prosecutors protect Balabanivka Forest through the courts
- Rabies in a stray cat: Mykolaiv’s Korabelnyi District under quarantine
- Two Russian GRU agents exposed at a Mykolaiv plant
- Preventive measure imposed on MP Kormyshkina — Kim and Arakhamia acted as guarantors
- New tender announced to repair damaged apartment building in Korabelnyi District
