Starobilsk

Starobilsk
Старобільськ (Ukrainian)
City

Luhansk National University building in Starobilsk

Flag

Coat of arms
Country  Ukraine
Oblast Luhansk Oblast
First mentioned 1686
City Status 1938
Population (2013)
  Total 18,297
Area code(s) (+380)
Vehicle registration BB / 13

Starobilsk (Ukrainian: Старобільськ, Russian: Старобельск) is a city near Luhansk in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine. It serves as the administrative center of Starobilsk Raion. The settlement has been known since 1686. The city status was given in 1938. Population: 18,297(2013 est.)[1].

During World War II, it was the site of a Soviet prison camp for Polish prisoners of war (POWs), especially officers. 48 of them died in the camp and were buried in Chmirov cemetery. A large number of the prisoners from the camp were killed during the Katyn massacre in the Kharkiv NKVD building, later buried in Pyatykhatky forest.

During the current War in Donbass many places in Luhansk Oblast were taken over by pro-Russian separatists; however Starobilsk remained under Ukrainian control.[2]

Gallery

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Starobilsk is twinned with:

References

External links

Coordinates: 49°17′00″N 38°55′00″E / 49.2833°N 38.9167°E / 49.2833; 38.9167


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