Pryluky (Ukrainian: Прилуки [prɪˈlukɪ] ⓘ) is a city and municipality[1] located on the Udai River in Chernihiv Oblast, north-central Ukraine.

[2] Archeological excavations have shown that a settlement on the territory of the present-day city dates back to the second millennium BC.

Later, the city was repeatedly plundered by eastern nomadic tribes and became a centre of internecine wars between Ruthenian princes.

After the Union of Lublin of 1569, according to which the city came under the rule of the Polish nobility, many inhabitants of Pryluky and nearby villages began to run away, seeking freedom in the vast Dnieper steppes.

The fertile soil of the Udai basin proved itself attractive not only to marauders, but also to hard-working people fleeing from backbreaking toil.

For instance, the entire Pryluky Regiment of Cossacks, led by I. Shkurat, died fighting valiantly in the Battle of Berestechko in 1651.

The Pryluky Regiment, under Colonel Yakiv Voronchenko [uk], demonstrated thorough military prowess in defeating a large Polish unit in June 1652.

However, in the second half of the 18th century, the border was moved far to the south for political and military reasons and the necessity for fortified cities like Pryluky disappeared.

Under the auspices of the “Innovations in Cultural Development of the Regions” program, the Pryluky local government is taking measures to restore old folk art traditions as well as seeking historical and architectural records of the city.

City inhabitants hope that with time, Pryluky will become a part of the Golden Ring of the Chernihiv Region tour.

[10] Distribution of the population by native language according to the 2001 census:[11] The oldest civil building in the town is the former chancellory and sacristy of the Pryluky Cossack Regiment.