Bila Tserkva

Bila Tserkva (Ukrainian: Біла Церква [ˈbilɐ ˈtsɛrkwɐ] ⓘ; lit. ''White Church'') is a city in Central Ukraine, located on the Ros river in the historical Right Bank region. The largest city in Kyiv Oblast (which oblast does not include the city of Kyiv, the regional capital), it serves as the administrative centre of Bila Tserkva Raion and Bila Tserkva urban hromada,[1] and has a population of 207,273 (2022 estimate).[2] The oldest preserved document that mentions the city, at that time called Yuryiv, is the Ipatiev Chronicle (1115). Historically, the city has been at the centre of the Porossia (River Ros) region. Founded as a border fortification of Kyivan Rus, Bila Tserkva later became property of Polish nobility and served as a prominent commercial centre. Since the 19th century, industry and tourism have been important elements of the city's economy. Under Soviet rule, Bila Tserkva became a centre of agricultural education. During the Cold War, a major Soviet Air Force base was located near the city.