Vesele (Ukrainian: Веселе) is a rural settlement in Melitopol Raion, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, southern Ukraine. It was formerly the administrative center of Vesele Raion until the raion was abolished in 2020. It has a population of 9,340 (2022 estimate).

History

Vesele was founded in 1815. The earliest settlers were mostly fugitive serfs escaping from oppression elsewhere in the Russian Empire.

In 1923, after Vesele was incorporated into the Ukrainian SSR of the Soviet Union, it was designated the administrative center of Vesele Raion. During World War II, Vesele was occupied by the forces of Nazi Germany from 18 September 1941 to 26 October 1943. In 1957, Vesele received urban-type settlement status.

On 26 January 2024, a new law entered into force in Ukraine which abolished the status of urban-type settlement, so all urban-type settlements - including Vesele - were automatically converted to rural settlements.

Demographics

As of the 2001 Ukrainian census, its population was 11,096, with a population that self-identified their ethnic backgrounds predominantly as Ukrainians and Russians.

Gallery

• 
•