Area Code 5538 – Askania-Nova/Chaplinka, Kherson

Overview of Area Code +380 5538

Area code +380 5538 is a geographic destination code within the Ukrainian national numbering plan, allocated to the Askania-Nova and Chaplynka areas in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine. This code is used for fixed-line telephone services (PSTN) and is associated with the administrative districts of Chaplynka and the town of Askania-Nova, which is renowned for the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The code serves the Chaplynka Raion (district) and the urban-type settlement of Askania-Nova, both located in the Kherson Oblast. Chaplynka is the administrative center, while Askania-Nova is a smaller settlement famous for its steppe reserve and scientific research station. The area is situated in the arid steppe zone, north of the Crimean Peninsula, and is part of the larger Kherson region that borders the Black Sea and the Dnipro River delta.

Dialing Formats

• National dialing (within Ukraine): To call a fixed-line number in Askania-Nova or Chaplynka from another Ukrainian city, dial 0 5538 XXXXX, where 0 is the trunk prefix, 5538 is the area code, and XXXXX is the 5-digit local subscriber number. For example, a local number might be dialed as 0 5538 12345.
• International dialing (from outside Ukraine): Callers should dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries, or + from mobile phones), followed by the country code 380, then the area code 5538 (without the leading 0), and the 5-digit subscriber number. For instance, to reach the same number from abroad, dial +380 5538 12345.
• Local calls within the same area code: In many cases, local calls within the same area code may be dialed using only the 5-digit subscriber number, but this depends on the operator's settings. It is recommended to use the full national format for reliability.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest available data, there is no overlay code for the 5538 area. The Ukrainian numbering plan is managed by the Ukrainian State Centre of Radio Frequencies (UCRF) under the National Commission for State Regulation of Communications and Informatization (NCCIR). Number lengths are standardized: the area code (excluding the trunk prefix) is 4 digits, and the subscriber number is 5 digits, resulting in a total national significant number (NSN) of 9 digits (including the leading 0).

Caller Instructions

• For local callers (within Ukraine): Always use the trunk prefix 0 when dialing from a different area code. If you are in the same area, you may be able to dial the local number directly, but using the full national format is safer.
• For international callers: Replace the trunk prefix 0 with the Ukrainian country code +380. Do not include the leading 0 of the area code when dialing from abroad.

Given the current geopolitical situation, some areas of the Kherson region may have experienced changes in service availability. However, the numbering plan remains officially assigned. For the most up-to-date information, consult your telecom operator or the NCCIR.