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Shikhany

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Country
  
Russia

Urban okrug
  
Shikhany Urban Okrug

Local time
  
Saturday 5:03 PM

Federal subject
  
Saratov Oblast

Administrative center of
  
Shikhany Urban Okrug

Shikhany

Administratively subordinated to
  
closed administrative-territorial formation of Shikhany

Administrative center of
  
closed administrative-territorial formation of Shikhany

Weather
  
-1°C, Wind SW at 19 km/h, 72% Humidity

Shikhany (Russian: Шиханы) is a closed town in Saratov Oblast, Russia, located 130 kilometers (81 mi) north of Saratov on the right bank of the Volga River. Population: 6,067 (2010 Census); 6,738 (2002 Census); 12,763 (1989 Census).

Contents

Map of Shikhany, Saratovskaya Oblast, Russia, 412950

History

It was founded in 1928 and granted town status in 1996. It has had closed status since 1997.

Formerly, it was named after Count Vasily Orlov-Denisov, a hero of the 1812 Patriotic War.

The town comprises Shikhany-1 (the town proper), Shikhany-2 (military base), and Shikhany-4 (the arsenal).

Shikhany-2

After Volsk-17 became the town of Shikhany, Shikhany-2 (hitherto closed town of Volsk-18) officially became Shikhany-1. However, residents still refer to them as Shikhany-1 and Shikhany-2, respectively.

Main organizations include NII RHBZ (Scientific & Research Institute of Radiation and Chemical Defence), Russian: НИИ РХБЗ, НИИ Радиационной Химической и Биологической Защиты), the 1st Mobile Brigade of RHBZ, the RHBZ service base, "notch and scout" regiment, the Shikhansky chemical testing ground, the Privolzhskiy Military District Hospital, a polyclinic, school № 24, music school, 3 kindergartens, a hotel, an officer's House with attached cinema theater, and a forestry.

There's additionally a park with a pond located in the city, part of the former Count's Park (it was about 10,000 hectares, most of which has now reverted to wild forest). The military base garrison keeps ducks and swans in the pond and relocates swans inside the warmer facilities in winter.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as the closed administrative-territorial formation of Shikhany—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the closed administrative-territorial formation of Shikhany is incorporated as Shikhany Urban Okrug.

Shikhansky chemical testing ground

Shikhansky chemical testing ground (Шиханский полигон) keeps a large amount of military poison substances, mainly obsolete ones such as yperite.

Ecological situation

Shikhany has a better ecology than the nearest big cities. Shikhany is surrounded by the forest and the chemical plant is not in use. Tests are rarely conducted, as chemical warfare is not used.

Infrastructure of Shikhany-2 is faintly developed, with only a couple of shops in the 20 km vicinity.

References

Shikhany Wikipedia