city, Tambov oblast (region), western Russia, on the Lesnoy Voronezh River. Founded in 1636 as a fortress named Kozlov, it was chartered in 1779. Locomotive repair works reflect its junction position, and there are vegetable- and fruit-processing industries. It is a horticulture centre, with an institute founded by the Soviet scientist I.V. Michurin (Michurin, Ivan Vladimirovich), who lived there until 1935 and after whom the city is named. Pop. (2006 est.) 91,928.