Kytsivka Desert

Kytsivka Desert
Sand dunes of Kytsivka in Chuhuiv Raion
Area	5 km2 (1.9 mi2)
Geology
Type	Aeolian sand massif
Geography
Location	Near Kytsivka village
Country	Ukraine
State/Province	Kharkiv Oblast
District	Chuhuiv Raion
Coordinates	49°50′46″N 36°49′12″E
River	Siverskyi Donets
Interactive map of Kytsivka Desert

Kytsivka Desert (Ukrainian: Кицівська пустеля), also known as the Hilly Sands, is a sandy area located in the Chuhuiv Raion of Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. It is a semi-desert ecosystem situated on the right-bank terraces of the Siverskyi Donets river valley.

Geography and geology

The desert covers approximately 5 square kilometers. It was formed during the late Pleistocene epoch through the accumulation of alluvial sand deposits, which were subsequently shaped by Aeolian processes into dunes and ridges reaching heights of up to 15–20 meters.

History

In the 20th century, from the 1960s until the early 1990s, the area was utilized as a tank testing and bombing range by the Soviet Armed Forces. The intense movement of heavy military vehicles prevented the natural afforestation of the area, maintaining the open sandy landscape.

Flora and fauna

Despite its desert-like appearance, the area hosts diverse species:

Flora: Specialized psammophytic vegetation, including various species of thyme, festuca, and rare lichens.

Fauna: The desert is home to several rare insects and reptiles, including the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) and species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Current status

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the area has been subject to ecological damage and remains dangerous due to potential unexploded ordnance from both historical military training and recent hostilities.

Gallery

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See also

• Oleshky Sands
• Siverskyi Donets
• Geography of Ukraine