History of Rivne in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 19, 2026

Rivne is a city located in western Ukraine, serving as the administrative center for both the Rivne Oblast (province) and the Rivne Raion (district) within the oblast. The city has a population of 243,873.

April 1919: Volodymyr Oskilko coup attempt

In April 1919, Volodymyr Oskilko attempted to organize a coup-d'état against the Directorate led by Symon Petliura and the cabinet of Borys Martos in Rivne. Oskilko managed to arrest most of the cabinet ministers but Petliura stopped his efforts.

May 1919: Temporary Capital of the Ukrainian People's Republic

During April–May 1919 Rivne served as the temporary capital of the Ukrainian People's Republic.

1919: Provisional Seat of Ukrainian Government

In 1919, Rivne served as a provisional seat of the Ukrainian government during the ongoing war with Soviet Russia.

1939: Occupation by Soviet Union

In 1939, Rivne was occupied by the Soviet Union as a result of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. Starting in December of that year, Rivne became the center of the newly established Rivne Oblast in the Ukrainian SSR.

June 1941: Invasion by Nazi Germany

On 28 June 1941, Rivne was invaded by the 6th army of Nazi Germany and on 20 August the Nazis declared it the administrative center of Reichskommissariat Ukraine. A Gestapo prison opened on Belaia Street.

June 1991: City Renamed Rivne

On 11 June 1991, the Ukrainian parliament officially renamed the city Rivne.

1991: Ukraine Regained Independence

In 1991, Ukraine regained its independence on the break-up of the USSR and Rivne remained under its control.

March 2022: Missile Attack on Rivne TV Tower

On 14 March 2022, the Rivne TV Tower experienced a heavy missile attack by Russian troops, resulting in damage, destruction of an administrative room, and the deaths of 20 people with nine injured.