Pochep

Pochep (Russian: По́чеп) is a town in Pochepsky District of Bryansk Oblast, Russia, located 84 kilometers (52 mi) southwest of Bryansk. Population: 17,161 (2010 Census preliminary results); 17,064 (2002 Census); 16,868 (1989 Census). The origin of Pochep is unknown but it was mentioned in the 15th century as an important town of the Great Duchy of Lithuania. It fell into the hands of Muscovy in 1503 and remained of little significance until the 1710s, when Hetman Ivan Skoropadsky made a grant of it to Prince Menshikov. The latter founded the fort of Alexandropolis in the vicinity and launched manufacture of sails for Russian ships in Pochep. The industry declined following Menshikov's downfall and the town stagnated until 1750, when it...