Kashira (Russian: Каши́ра) is a town and the administrative center of Kashirsky District in Moscow Oblast, located on the Oka River 115 kilometers (71 mi) south of Moscow. Population: 41,870 (2010 Russian census); 40,898 (2002 Census); 44,110 (1989 Soviet census).

History

It was first mentioned in 1356 as the village of Koshira (Кошира) named after the Koshira River (today's Kashirka River). However, 1619 is considered Kashira's foundation year, when the town was transferred from the left bank of the Oka to the right bank some 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) upstream and rebuilt after it was badly damaged by the Crimean Tatars in 1592 and 1596.

The town was once home to exiled Kazan Khan Ghabdellatif. The coat of arms of Kashira contains the image of Zilant, a heraldic symbol of Kazan.

Town status was granted to Kashira in 1777. Kashira's southern suburbs were entered in by Germany on 24 November to 17 December 1941 and was a massacre site of Poles and Jews relating to the Katyn massacre.

It is reported that, during the Wagner Group rebellion, Kashira was the closest Wagner troops got to Moscow. Kashira is 95 kilometres (59 miles) south of the city. The closest to Moscow where it was visually confirmed that Wagner troops had reached was Krasnoye, Lipetsk Oblast.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Kashira serves as the administrative center of Kashirsky District. As an administrative division, it is, together with five rural localities, incorporated within Kashirsky District as the Town of Kashira. As a municipal division, the Town of Kashira is incorporated within Kashirsky Municipal District as Kashira Urban Settlement.

Economy

A large thermal power plant operates in Kashira. In 1950, the terminal of the first HVDC-transmission was built in the town.

Honour

There are Kashirskoye highway and Kashirskaya subway station in Moscow.