city, Saratov oblast (province), western Russia. The city lies along the Volga River opposite its confluence with the Bolshoy (Great) Irgiz. Originating as the small settlement of Malykovka, it was made a town in 1780, first called Volgsk, later Volsk. Since the October Revolution (1917), Volsk has become one of the largest centres in Russia for cement production. Pop. (1991 est.) 65,500.