Melitopol (Ukrainian: Меліто́поль, romanized: Melitópol’, pronounced [mel⁽ʲ⁾iˈtɔpolʲ]; Russian: Мелитополь; based on Greek: Μελιτόπολις - "honey city") is a city and municipality in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in southeastern Ukraine. Melitopol has been occupied by Russia since March 2022. It is situated on the Molochna River, which flows through the eastern edge of the city into the Molochnyi Lyman estuary. Melitopol is the second-largest city in the oblast after Zaporizhzhia and serves as the administrative center of Melitopol Raion. As of 2022 Melitopol's population was approximately 148,851 (2022 est.). Its population has since declined substantially due to the city's capture in the opening weeks of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The city is located at the crossing of two major European highways: E58 Vienna – Uzhhorod – Kyiv – Rostov-on-Don and E105 Kirkenes – St. Petersburg – Moscow – Kyiv – Yalta. An electrified railway line of international importance goes through Melitopol. The city was once known as "the gateway to the Crimea"; prior to the 2014 Russian occupation of Crimea 80% of passenger trains heading to the peninsula passed through it and during summer road traffic would reach 45,000 vehicles per day.