The Vorskla is a river that runs from Belgorod Oblast in Russia southwards into northeastern Ukraine, where it joins the Dnieper.

Geography

The river's source is on the western slopes of the Central Russian Upland north of Belgorod. Within Ukraine it flows through the Dnieper Lowland, passing through Sumy Oblast, and then crossing Poltava Oblast. It has a length of 464 km, and a basin area of 14700 km2. The river is the 15th longest in Ukraine stretching for 348 km. Right tributaries of the river include the Vorsklytsia and Boromlia (river), and left tributaries Merla (river), Kolomak (river) and Tahamlyk. Cities on the river are Grayvoron, Okhtyrka, Poltava (the capital of Poltava Oblast), and Kobeliaky. The river is mostly navigable between its delta and Kobeliaky.

History

An ancient fort, thought to be Gelonos, is on the Vorskla south of Okhtyrka. In 1399, the Battle of the Vorskla River was fought in the area. In 1709, the city of Poltava was besieged by Charles XII.

Flora and fauna

In the river there are more than 50 species of fish, most of which are carps and pikes, breams, rudds, roaches, minnows, catfish. Fauna is represented by hares, foxes, in the woods you can meet roe deer and wild boar, a great variety of birds: wild duck, gray heron, partridge, pheasant. Along the banks of the river there are large wooded areas, as coniferous (mostly on the left bank) and deciduous forests.