Molochansk | city

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Molochansk was founded in 1804 by Dutch Mennonite settlers who were invited to settle on the vast steppes of the czar's Russian empire. They called the new village "Halbstadt". Due to the Russian hostile national policies towards Germans in 20th century, almost no native Germans are left in the region. During the mad years of establishing the Soviet power in the region selected number of people lost all their possessions "in the name of Revolution" such as the Askania Nova that was raided by the Red Guards. During the Soviet Union all Germans were relocated to the remote parts of Kazakhstan. In 2004 the 200th anniversary of Molochansk/Halbstadt was celebrated with world wide distinguished guests in attendance. Canada's ambassador to Ukraine was present in this gala event.
Mennonites had earlier, in 1789, founded the Khortitza settlement at the invitation of czar Katherine. It was the successful founding of Khortitza that encouraged expansion into the Molochnaya River region. By 1850 there were over 50 Mennonite villages south and east of Molochansk/Halbstadt.