Michurinsk

Michurinsk (Russian: Мичу́ринск) is the second most populous town in Tambov Oblast, Russia. Population: 98,758 (2010 Census); 96,093 (2002 Census); 109,081 (1989 Census).

History

Originally known as Kozlov (Козло́в), it was founded in 1635 at the northern end of the emerging Belgorod Line. A 25-kilometer (16 mi) earthen wall was built eastward across the open steppe effectively blocking the Nogai Trail, a Tatar raiding route. The success of this line led to the building of further lines further south. The settlement was granted town status in 1779.

The town was renamed Michurinsk in 1932 after Ivan Michurin, a practitioner of selection.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Michurinsk serves as the administrative center of Michurinsky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the town of oblast significance of Michurinsk—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the town of oblast significance of Michurinsk is incorporated as Michurinsk Urban Okrug.

Michurinsk (air base)

Michurinsk (also given as Michurinsk Northwest, and Kozlov (before 1932)) is an air base in Russia located 9 km northwest of Michurinsk. It is the site of a well-maintained military training airfield. Google Earth high-resolution imagery indicates this base is active, with 100 trainer aircraft on the field, a few of which appeared to be taxiing.

The training unit at Michurinsk is 644 UAP (644th Aviation Training Regiment) equipped with 108 Aero L-29 Delfin aircraft listed as of the early 1990s. It has also been equipped recently with Su-24, Su-25, and MiG-29 aircraft. The 644th Training Aviation Regiment was part of the 786th Training Centre, headquartered at Borisoglebsk, in 2008, according to Kommersant-Vlast.

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