Starodub (Стародуб in Russian; could be translated as "old oak"), a town in the Bryansk Oblast in Russia. Located on the river Babinets (the Dnieper basin) 169 km southwest of Bryansk. Population: 16,000 (1975).

Starodub is known since the 11th century and was a part of the Kievan Rus. It was burnt to the ground by the Mongols in the 13th century. It became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th century, and later - Poland. In 1503-1618, Starodub was a part of the Muscovy and then Poland until 1648. It was finally annexed by Russia and became a district town in 1781. In 1796, Starodub became a town in the Chernigov province. In 1917-1918, the town was occupied by the Germans. The Soviet authority was reinstated in November of 1918. Starodub was a part of the Gomel province (1919-1926), Bryansk province (1926-1929), Western Oblast (1929—1938) and Oryol Oblast (1938—1945). The town was once again occupied by the Germans between August of 1941 and September 22, 1943.

Starodub finally became a part of the Bryansk Oblast in 1945.

External links

• Web-site of the town of Starodub (in Russian)