oblast

American  

[ob-last, -lahst, aw-bluhst] / ˈɒb læst, -lɑst, ˈɔ bləst /

noun

PLURAL

oblasts,

PLURAL

oblasti

1. (in Russia and the Soviet Union) an administrative division corresponding to an autonomous province.

2. region; province.

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oblast British  

/ ˈɒblɑːst /

noun

1. an administrative division of the constituent republics of Russia

2. an administrative and territorial division in some republics of the former Soviet Union

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Etymology

Origin of oblast

1885–90; < Russian óblast', Old Russian oblastĭ, equivalent to ob- against, on + vlastĭ authority, power; volost

Example Sentences

Ukrainian forces are hoping to build on the spectacular successes of a fall sortie that broke through a weak link in Russian lines and pushed the invading forces out of almost all of the Krakhiv Oblast in the east.

From Washington Times

After retaking the city of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast in October, Ukrainian forces met tougher Russian resistance and a winter counterattack by Russian troops and mercenaries centered on Bakhmut.

From Washington Times

Mr. Hardie said Ukraine’s advance would likely focus south toward the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhya region or Mariupol in the Donetsk Oblast, located on the northern coast of the Sea of Azov.

From Washington Times

An elite Russian infantry unit has been decimated following several costly operations near a mining town in Ukraine’s disputed Donetsk Oblast that has become a focal point of the Kremlin’s renewed offensive.

From Washington Times

By Sept. 15, Russia had retreated from the north, and was on the run from a counteroffensive in northeast Kharkiv Oblast.

From Washington Post