Syzran

Syzran (

‹The template Lang-rus is being considered for deletion.› Russian: Сызрань,IPA: [ˈsɨzrənʲ]) is the third largest city in Samara Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of Saratov Reservoir of the Volga River. Population: 165,725 (2021 Census); 178,750 (2010 Census); 188,107 (2002 Census); 174,335 (1989 Soviet census).

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1897	32,000	—
1926	50,000	+56.2%
1939	83,000	+66.0%
1959	148,391	+78.8%
1970	173,347	+16.8%
1979	178,498	+3.0%
1989	174,335	−2.3%
2002	188,107	+7.9%
2010	178,750	−5.0%
2021	165,725	−7.3%
Source: Census data

Founded in 1683 as a fortress, Syzran grew into an important trading center and was granted town status in 1796. One tower from the 17th-century fortress still stands. It is also the site of Syzran Bridge, once the longest bridge in Europe.

On the night of 18–19 February 2025, Ukraine launched a drone attack against a Rosneft oil refinery in Syzran, with local Telegram channels claiming that the attack led to a fire in the area. Local governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev claimed that there were no casualties, and that emergency services were working on site.

On 4 March 2025, Ukraine launched another drone attack on Syzran. Governor Fedorishchev claimed that local air defence forces destroyed the drones that aimed to target an industrial enterprise, and that there were casualties. There were local reports of explosions and drones targeting an oil refinery in the city.

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Syzran serves as the administrative center of Syzransky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is, together with three rural localities, incorporated separately as the city of oblast significance of Syzran—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the city of oblast significance of Syzran is incorporated as Syzran Urban Okrug.

The city's main employers are a large oil refinery owned by Rosneft, OAO Tyazhmash heavy industry machinery metallurgy mechanical turbines related to electricity production (and working with Czech Blansko firm CKD Blansko on some works, like in South America), and the Syzran power station.

• Konstantin Fedin, novelist and literary functionary
• Alexey Tolstoy, writer
• Arkady Ostrovsky, composer
• Andrei Sinyavsky, writer
• Mikhail Korniyenko, cosmonaut
• Viktor Nikitin, singer
• Ekaterina Vetkova, handball player

Syzran is twinned with:

• Pingdingshan, Henan, China (November 28, 2000)

• Самарская Губернская Дума. №179-ГД 18 декабря 2006 г. «Устав Самарской области», в ред. Закона №6-ГД от 11 января 2016 г. «О внесении изменений в Устав Самарской области». Вступил в силу 1 января 2007 г. Опубликован: "Волжская коммуна", №237 (25790), 20 декабря 2006 г. (Samara Governorate Duma. #179-GD December 18, 2006 Charter of Samara Oblast, as amended by the Law #6-GD of January 11, 2016 On Amending the Charter of Samara Oblast. Effective as of January 1, 2007.).
• Самарская Губернская Дума. Закон №189-ГД от 28 декабря 2004 г. «О наделении статусом городского округа и муниципального района муниципальных образований в Самарской области», в ред. Закона №23-ГД от 30 марта 2015 г. «Об осуществлении местного самоуправления на территории городского округа Самара Самарской области». Вступил в силу по истечении десяти дней со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Волжская коммуна", №247, 31 декабря 2004 г. (Samara Governorate Duma. Law #189-GD of December 28, 2004 On Granting the Status of Urban Okrug and Municipal District to the Municipal Formations in Samara Oblast, as amended by the Law #23-GD of March 30, 2015 On the Implementation of Local Self-Government on the Territory of Samara Urban Okrug of Samara Oblast. Effective as of after ten days from the day of the official publication.).

• (in Russian) Official website of Syzran
• (in Russian) Old photos of Syzran