Ukraine's 27 oblasti serve as the country's primary administrative divisions, functioning as the first level in a two-tier system of regional governance. These oblasts handle essential government functions including regional economic planning, infrastructure maintenance, healthcare administration, education oversight, and public safety coordination. Each oblast is headed by a governor appointed by the President of Ukraine, along with an elected regional council that addresses local legislative matters. The oblasti collect regional taxes, manage budgets for public services, and implement national policies at the regional level. This administrative structure allows Ukraine to balance centralized national governance with regional autonomy, enabling oblasti to address specific local needs while maintaining coordination with the central government in Kyiv. The system provides an intermediate layer between national ministries and lower-level municipal governments.