Ukraine has 24 oblasts, which are its primary administrative divisions (the equivalent of states or provinces). Alongside these 24 oblasts, the country also recognises the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and two cities with special status, Kyiv and Sevastopol, giving Ukraine 27 first-level administrative units in total. The oblast remains the standard regional building block of Ukrainian governance.
What Is an Oblast?
An oblast is the main type of region used across much of the post-Soviet world, and in Ukraine it functions much like a state or province does elsewhere. Each oblast has its own administrative centre, usually the largest city, after which the region is named. For example, Lviv Oblast is centred on the city of Lviv, and Kharkiv Oblast on Kharkiv.
Oblasts are further subdivided into smaller districts called raions, and beneath those sit cities, towns, and rural communities. Following local-government reforms completed in 2020, the number of raions was sharply reduced, but the 24 oblasts themselves remained the stable upper tier of the system. Each oblast is administered by a regional council and a state administration whose head is appointed by the national government.
The Complete List of All 24 Oblasts
Here are all 24 oblasts of Ukraine in alphabetical order:
- Cherkasy
- Chernihiv
- Chernivtsi
- Dnipropetrovsk
- Donetsk
- Ivano-Frankivsk
- Kharkiv
- Kherson
- Khmelnytskyi
- Kirovohrad
- Kyiv
- Luhansk
- Lviv
- Mykolaiv
- Odesa
- Poltava
- Rivne
- Sumy
- Ternopil
- Vinnytsia
- Volyn
- Zakarpattia
- Zaporizhzhia
- Zhytomyr
Note that there is both a Kyiv Oblast and the city of Kyiv: the city is a separate special-status unit and is not part of the oblast that surrounds it, even though the oblast is administered from the same area.
The Largest and Most Populated Oblasts
By land area, Odesa Oblast is the largest, stretching along the Black Sea coast in the country's south and covering roughly 33,000 square kilometres. Its sweeping coastline, ports, and agricultural plains have long made it one of Ukraine's most strategically and economically important regions.
By population, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central-eastern Ukraine has historically been the most populous, anchored by the major industrial city of Dnipro. Other heavily populated regions include Donetsk Oblast in the east and Kharkiv Oblast in the northeast, both important centres of heavy industry, coal, and steel production. At the other end of the scale, Chernivtsi Oblast in the far southwest is the smallest oblast by area.
Special-Status Regions
Beyond the 24 oblasts, Ukraine's constitution recognises three units that sit outside the standard oblast structure:
- The Autonomous Republic of Crimea — a peninsula on the Black Sea with its own parliament and statute under Ukrainian law.
- Kyiv — the national capital, governed as a city with special status separate from the surrounding Kyiv Oblast.
- Sevastopol — a port city on the Crimean Peninsula, also designated as a city with special status.
These special units, together with the 24 oblasts, are why you may see Ukraine described as having either 24 regions or 27 first-level divisions depending on whether the special-status areas are counted. To explore more about the country's geography, history, and culture, see our ukraine country guide.
How the Oblasts Came to Be
Ukraine's oblast system was inherited from the Soviet era, when the country was a constituent republic of the USSR. The regional boundaries took broadly their current shape during the mid-20th century, and most have remained intact since Ukraine declared independence in 1991. Many oblasts carry names rooted in deep regional identity, such as Volyn, Zakarpattia (the "Transcarpathian" region beyond the Carpathian Mountains), and Halychyna's heartland around Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk. This blend of administrative continuity and strong local character gives each oblast a distinct geographic and cultural personality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ukraine have states or provinces?
Ukraine does not officially use the words "states" or "provinces." Its primary administrative divisions are called oblasts, which serve the same role. There are 24 oblasts in total.
What is the capital of Ukraine?
Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine. It is administered as a city with special status, separate from the surrounding Kyiv Oblast, and is the country's largest city and main political, cultural, and economic centre.
How many regions does Ukraine have in total?
Counting all first-level divisions, Ukraine has 27 units: the 24 oblasts plus the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the special-status cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol.
What is the largest oblast in Ukraine?
Odesa Oblast is the largest by land area, while Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has historically been the most populous. The smallest oblast by area is Chernivtsi in the country's southwest.
