Rubizhne (Ukrainian: Рубі́жне, IPA: [rʊˈb⁽ʲ⁾iʒne] ^ⓘ; Russian: Рубе́жное, romanized: Rubezhnoye, IPA: [rʊˈbʲeʐnəjə]) is a city in Luhansk Oblast, in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Situated on the left bank of the Donets River near the cities of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk. Prior to 2020, it was a city of oblast significance, before the designation was abolished.

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Rubizhne Рубіжне
City
Flag Coat of arms
Rubizhne Location of Rubizhne in the Luhansk Oblast Show map of Luhansk Oblast Rubizhne Location of Rubizhne in Ukraine Show map of Ukraine
Coordinates: 49°00′36″N 38°22′17″E
Country	Ukraine
Oblast	Luhansk Oblast
Raion	Sievierodonetsk Raion
Founded	1896
City status	1934
Elevation	74 m (243 ft)
Population  (2022)
• Total	55,247
Climate	Dfb

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In 2014, at the start of the war in Donbas, Rubizhne was contested between Ukrainian and pro-Russian separatist forces. From mid-2014 until early 2022, the city was under control of Ukrainian forces. From early 2022 it has been under Russian control following their victory in the Battle of Rubizhne. Russia claimed Rubizhne as part of their Luhansk People's Republic since its annexation of the region in September 2022.

The city had an estimated population of 56,247,^[1] as of January 2022, its current population is unknown.^{[citation needed]}

Rubizhne was founded in 1895 and incorporated as a city in 1934. The city started growing from a railway station built in 1904. A local newspaper is published in the city since March 1931.^[2]

During World War II, in 1942–1943, the German occupiers operated a Nazi prison in the town.^[3]

At the outbreak of the war in Donbas in mid-April 2014, pro-Russian forces captured several towns in Luhansk Oblast,^[4][5] including Rubizhne. On 21 July 2014, Ukrainian forces secured the city from the militants.^[6][7]

Rubizhne had 65,322 inhabitants in the Ukrainian Census of 2001.^[15] The city's population declined to 59,951 by January 1, 2014.

The ethnic composition according to the Ukrainian Census of 2001:^[16][17]

• Ukrainians: 66.3%
• Russians: 31.3%
• Belarusians: 0.7%
• Jews: 0.07%
• Poles: 0.06

Prior to the 2022 war, Rubizhne was known for its chemical and pharmaceutical plants and factories. The headquarters of "Microkhim", the largest Ukrainian producer of substances and medicines for cardiology,^[18] was situated in Rubizhne. One of Ukraine's biggest plastic pipe plants, Rubezhnoye Pipe Plant [uk; ru], is also located in the town.^{[citation needed]}

Rubizhne is the town of birth of MMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko, and Olympic champion in fencing Vladimir Smirnov.^{[citation needed]}