city, Belgorod oblast (region), western Russia. It lies along the Oskol River. It was founded as a fortress called Oskol in 1593 for the defense against Crimean Tatars and was named Stary (“Old”) Oskol in 1655. Machinery and food industries reflect the city's mineral and agricultural hinterland. A large cement plant is located in the city. Stary Oskol is also the site of a major iron and steel complex. Iron-ore deposits of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly lie just southwest of the city. There is a geologic college and a medical school. Pop. (2005 est.) 217,420.