According to Yu. Knyazkov, the area was initially settled as a farm in 1818 under the Russian Empire by migrants from the city of Orikhiv. The name is itself derived from the surname of the first settlers, Robota. In 1869, the village was officially founded.[4]
The area was administratively assigned to the Solodko-Balkiv Volost, Berdyansky Uyezd, Taurida Governorate. Until 1865, the inhabitants belonged to the parish in Orikhiv, prior to being transferred to nearby Kopani. Almost all residents were ethnic Ukrainians.[5]
Prior to administrative reforms, the village was a part of the Tokmak Raion, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, in Ukraine.[6] The village is located 23 kilometres (14 mi) north of Tokmak,[7] which made it-at the time- one of the farthest settlements in Tokmak Raion from the district center, Tokmak.[6]
On 12 June 2020, in accordance with the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 713-r "On the determination of administrative centers and approval of the territories of the territorial communities of the Zaporizhzhya region" the Novoprokopivka village council became part of Tokmak urban hromadaofTokmak Raion.[8] On 17 July, as a result of the administrative-territorial reform and liquidation of Tokmak Raion, the village became part of Polohy Raion.[9]
Robotyne has been situated on the front lines during the Russo-Ukrainian War, and control of the village has changed between Ukraine and Russia multiple times during the conflict.
In early March 2022, Russian forces seized control of the village as part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[10] According to local accounts, during the Russian occupation, life in the village was without heat, light, or water. One remaining family subsisted off of a garden, and shared food with neighbors. Houses were destroyed by daily shelling.[10]
Ukrainian flag raised above Robotyne in August 2023
Intense clashes occurred near Robotyne amidst the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, as it held a vital position in the Russian defensive front. The village endured significant damage and population loss throughout the battles.[11][12] On 23 August 2023, the 47th Mechanized Brigade unfurled the Ukrainian flag on the ruins of a local school,[13] marking the capture of the village. Ukraine said that it subsequently organized the safe evacuation of the remaining civilians.[14][15][16] By the time of the liberation, there was only one family left in the village. After the evacuation, the family now lives in Zaporizhzhia City.[10]
On 6 September 2023, units of the Russian 76th Air Assault Division made an attempt to recover their lost positions in the trench lines and heights south of Robotyne. The attack was made from the west and south from Novoprokopivka to reestablish control over the village. After a few hours of heavy fighting and successful counterattacks launched from north and north-east by Skala Battalion and drone units of 47th Mechanized Brigade,[citation needed] the Russian units were defeated and forced to withdraw.[17]
On 24 February 2024, the Russian Ground Forces began a new offensive operation and entered central Robotyne.[18][19] On 15 May 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that units of the "Dnepr" army group completely captured Robotyne.[20] The Armed Forces of Ukraine however denied it.[21][22][23] By 20 May 2024, Robotyne was recaptured by Russian forces.[24][25]
^Christina Harward; Nicole Wolkov; Angelica Evans; Riley Bailey; Karolina Hird (4 April 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 4, 2024". understandingwar.org. ISW. Retrieved 6 April 2024. Positional engagements continued in western Zaporizhia Oblast on April 4, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced up to half a kilometer near Robotyne and Verbove (east of Robotyne), but ISW has not observed any confirmation of this claim.
^James Gregory; James Waterhouse (15 May 2024). "Ukraine troops pull back in Kharkiv after Russia offensive". bbc.com. BBC News. Retrieved 15 May 2024. They [Russian troops] are actually only on the outskirts," Serhiy Skibchyk told the website. "Inside the village, there are still our positions.
^Christina Harward; Angelica Evans; Nicole Wolkov; Riley Bailey; George Barros (16 May 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 16, 2024". understandingwar.org. ISW. Retrieved 17 May 2024. Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces maintain positions in the northern outskirts of Robotyne and that it is too early to discuss the seizure of the settlement.
^Christina Harward; Nicole Wolkov; Kateryna Stepanenko; Grace Mappes; Frederick W. Kagan (20 May 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 20, 2024". understandingwar.org. ISW. Retrieved 21 May 2024. Geolocated footage published on May 18 showed a Russian soldier surrendering in northeastern Robotyne, and geolocated footage published on May 20 showed Ukrainian forces striking Russian forces also in northwestern Robotyne.
Ukraine
