The Bakhmutka (Ukrainian: Бахмутка) is a river in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. It is a right tributary of the Siverskyi Donets. It is also known as the Bakhmut (Ukrainian: Бахмут) or the Bakhmutovka.
Geography
The length is 86 kilometres (53 mi) and the drainage basin area is 1,680 square kilometres (650 mi2). It thaws in early March and freezes in December. The water is partially used for technical needs and for irrigation.
The Bakhmutka has several tributaries:
- Kamianka
- Mokra Plotva
- Serednia Stupka
- Sukha
- Sukha Plotva
- Vasiukivka
- Velyka Stupka
- Yama
The river flows through the city of Bakhmut. Siversk is also located on the Bakhmutka.
History
In 1571, fortresses were built on the Bakhmutka, which served as protection of the southern border of the Tsardom of Russia with the Crimean Khanate.
In 2023, the Bakhmutka again served as a barrier between opposing forces during the battle of Bakhmut of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after Ukrainian forces withdrew from all parts of Bakhmut east of the river in March 2023. On 7 April, Russian forces reportedly crossed the river and captured the west bank, threatening Ukrainian supply lines.
