city, centre of a rayon (sector), Moscow oblast (region), western Russia, situated northeast of the city of Moscow. Mytishchi's importance in the past derived from its position on the road between Moscow and the Trinity–St. Sergius Monastery. It was the source of Moscow's water supply until the 20th century. In 1908 Mytishchi became the site of the first artificial-fibre factory in Russia. Since its incorporation in 1925, the city has become a centre of machine building, especially transport machinery. Pop. (2006 est.) 161,811.