Hrodna or Grodno is a city in Belarus. It is located on the Neman River, close to the borders of Poland and Lithuania (about 20 km and 30 km away respectively). It is the capital of Hrodna voblast (province) and Hrodna raion (district).

It has 325,164 inhabitants (2008 estimate).

The city has one of the largest concentrations of Roman Catholics in Belarus. It is also a center of Polish culture, with the considerable number of Poles living in Belarus, residing in the city and its surroundings. All the while, the Eastern Orthodox population is also widely present here.

Minsk is the capital and largest city in Belarus, situated on the Svislach and Niamiha rivers. Minsk is also a headquarters of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). As the national capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is also the administrative centre of Minsk voblast (province) and Minsk raion (district).

It has a population of 1,837,000 inhabitants (2009).

Minsk is located on the southeastern slope of the Minsk Hills, a region of rolling hills running from the southwest (upper reaches of the river Nioman) to the northeast – that is, to the Lukomskaye lake in northwestern Belarus.

Minsk is located in the area of mixed forests typical for most of Belarus. Pinewood and mixed forests are still present at the edge of the city, especially in the north and east. Some of the forests were transformed into parks (for instance, the Chelyuskinites Park) as the city grew.

Minsk has a warm summer humid continental climate, owing to its location between the strong influence of the moist air of the Atlantic Ocean and the dry air of the Eurasian landmass. Its weather is, however, unstable and tends to change often. The average January temperature is −6.1 °C (21 °F), while the average July temperature is 17.8 °C (64.0 °F).

Chişinău (Romanian pronunciation or Kishinev (before 1991) is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc. The population of the city is 592,900 (2007).

Chişinău is the most economically prosperous locality in Moldova, and its largest transportation hub. As the most economically and socially important municipality in Moldova, the city has a broad range of educational facilities.

Chişinău is located on the river Bîc, a tributary of the Dniester.

The city lies in central Moldova and is surrounded by a relatively level landscape with very fertile ground.

Chişinău has a continental climate, characterized by hot dry summers and windy winters. Winter temperatures are often below 0 °C (32 °F), although they rarely drop below −10 °C (14 °F). In summer, the average temperature is approximately 25 °C (77 °F), however, temperatures sometimes reach 35 to 40 °C (95 to 104 °F) in mid-summer in the city centre. Although average precipitation and humidity during summer is low, there are infrequent yet heavy storms. Spring and autumn temperatures vary between 16 to 24 °C (61 to 75 °F), and precipitation during this time tends to be lower than in summer but with more frequent yet milder periods of rain.

Cheboksary is a city and the capital of the Chuvash Republic, Russia. It is a port on the Volga River. Population: 453,600 (2010 Census preliminary results)ю A satellite city of Novocheboksarsk is located about 6 kilometers (4 mi) kilometers east of Cheboksary.

Cheboksary is divided into three city districts: Kalininsky, Leninsky, and Moskovsky.

Educational institutions include the Chuvash State University, Chuvash State Agriculture Academy, the Chuvash State Pedagogical University, and the Cheboksary Cooperative Technical School.

The Cheboksary Airport (IATA CSY, ICAO UWKS, international airport since 1995) receives both cargo and passenger aircraft of practically all types and sizes. There are regularly scheduled flights to Moscow and other destinations. Chuvashia Airlines is based at this airport. Cheboksary is located about a four-hour drive from Nizhny Novgorod, a city with international air connections through Lufthansa.

The climate in the region is continental, and it is similar to the climate in Moscow, although colder in winter, which lasts from late November until late March with a permanent snow cover.

Izhevsk is the capital city of the Udmurt Republic, Russia, located on the Izh River in the Western Urals area. It is served by Izhevsk Airport.

Formerly an engineering town, it was established as a place where all manner of metalworking was done, especially the manufacture of machinery and weaponry. Izhevsk is the site of one of the most famous arsenals in Russia, at which Mikhail Kalashnikov designed his famous AK-47 assault rifle.

During Soviet times Izhevsk was a closed city, with restricted access for foreign people, due to the large amount of military manufacturing that was done there.

Izhevsk is the scientific and cultural center of the Udmurt Republic. The state took a major share in childcare and education from early on. 320 public kindergartens/ preschools provide affordable childcare for 32,000 children. 100 public schools provide free general education to over 100,000 Izhevsk students. A wide variety of technical colleges and two-year professional schools award associate degrees, most notably in medical assistance, performing arts and teaching.

Kazan is the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, and one of Russia`s largest cities. It is a major industrial, commercial and cultural center, and remains the most important center of Tatar culture. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in central European Russia.

Population: 2008 - 1,120,200.

Russian and Tatar languages are widely spoken in the city. Russian is understood by practically all the population, apart from some older Tatars. Tatar is widely spoken mainly by Tatars.

Kazan has a humid continental climate with long cold winters and warm, often hot dry summers. The warmest month is July with daily mean temperature near 20 °C (68 °F), coldest - January −12 °C (10.4 °F).

Kostomuksha is a town located in the northwestern part of the Republic of Karelia, Russia, thirty kilometers from the border with Finland and on the shore of lake Kontoki. The nearest large towns in Russia are St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk, which are connected to Kostomuksha by rail. The nearest towns are Kuhmo and Kajaani in Finland.

The population is 29,746 (2002 Census).

The town was established in 1977 as an urban-type settlement and populated by people from various regions of the Soviet Union. It was mostly built by Finnish building companies, according to an agreement between the Soviet and Finnish governments. Town status was granted in 1983. The town was later expanded by Soviet building companies but maintaining plenty of green areas.

There is also a railway station, an airport (with no regular flights), and a federal road.

Moscow is the capital and the most populous city and the most populous federal subject of Russia. Moscow is a major political, economic, cultural, religious, financial, educational, and transportation center of Russia and the world, a global city. It is also the seventh largest city proper in the world, a megacity.

The population of Moscow (as of 1 September 2009) is 10,535,100.

It is located by the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. Moscow sits on the junction of three geological platforms. Historically, it was the capital of the former Soviet Union, Russian Empire, Tsardom of Russia and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It is the site of the Moscow Kremlin, one of the World Heritage Sites in the city, which serves as the residence of the President of Russia. The Russian parliament (the State Duma and the Federation Council) and the Government of Russia also sit in Moscow.

Moscow is a major economic centre. It is home to many scientific and educational institutions, as well as numerous sport facilities. It possesses a complex transport system that includes four international airports, nine railroad terminals, and the world`s second busiest (after Tokyo) metro system, which is famous for its architecture and artwork. Its metro is the busiest single-operator subway in the world.

Omsk is a Russian city located in southwestern Siberia and the administrative center of Omsk Oblast. It is Russia`s second-largest city east of the Ural Mountains. The distance from Omsk to Moscow is 2,700 kilometres (1,700 mi).

Omsk is the administrative centre of Siberian Cossack Voisko, it also serves as the see of the bishop of Omsk and Tara, as well as the administrative seat of the Imam of Siberia.

Omsk is situated on the banks of the north-flowing Irtysh, at its confluence with the smaller Om River. The city has an altitude of 87 metres (285 ft) above sea level.

The climate is dry and continental, characterized by dramatic swings of weather. The average daily temperatures, taken over the past three decades, are 20 °C (68 °F) for July and −19 °C (−2.2 °F) for January, although temperatures can reach 45 °C (113 °F) in the summer and drop to −45 °C (−49 °F) in the winter. On average Omsk sees over 300 sunny days in any given year. Average annual rainfall is 315 millimetres

Penza is a city in Russia, the administrative center of Penza Oblast in the Volga Federal District.

It stands on the Sura River, 625 km south-east of Moscow. The city is served by Penza Airport.

Pskov is an ancient city located in the north-west of Russia about 20 kilometers (12 mi) east from the Estonian border, on the Velikaya River.

The city of Pskov serves as the administrative center of Pskov Oblast.

Population: 202,780 (2002 Census).

Rostov-on-Don is the city and the administrative center of Rostov Oblast and the Southern Federal District of Russia, located on the Don River, just 46 km from the Sea of Azov.

Population: 1,068,267 (2002 Census).

The Don River that the city is named for is a major shipping lane connecting southwestern Russia with regions to the north, and Rostov-on-Don is an important river port in both passenger-oriented and industrial shipping.

Samara, called Kuybyshev from 1935 to 1990, is the sixth largest city in Russia. It is situated in the southeastern part of European Russia, the Volga Federal District, at the confluence of the Volga and Samara Rivers.

Samara is also the administrative center of Samara Oblast.

Population: 1,164,900 (2010 Census preliminary results); 1,157,880 (2002 Census); 1,254,460 (1989 Census).

The metropolitan area of Samara-Tolyatti-Syzran within Samara Oblast constitutes the population of more than 3.0 million people. Formerly a closed city, Samara is now a large and important social, political, economic, industrial and cultural center of European Russia, which in May 2007 played host to the European Union—Russia Summit. Samara is located on the east bank of the Volga river, which acts as its western boundary; across the river are the Zhiguli Mountains, after which the local Zhiguli (Zhigulyovskoye) beer is named. Its northern boundary is formed by the Sokolyi Hills and by the steppes in the south and east. The land within the city boundaries covers 46,597 ha. Samara has a continental climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters.

Samara is a leading industrial center in the Volga Area, and is among the top ten Russian cities in terms of national income and industrial volume. Samara is known for the production of aerospace launch vehicles, satellites and various space services, engines and cables, aircraft and rolled aluminum, block-module power stations; refining, chemical and cryogenic products; gas-pumping units; bearings of different sizes, drilling bits; automated electrical equipment; airfield equipment; truck-mounted cranes; construction materials; chocolates made by the Russia Chocolate Factory; Rodnik vodka; Zhiguli beer; food processing and light industrial products.

Samara has an opera and ballet theater, a philharmonic orchestra hall, and five drama theaters. There is a museum of natural history and local history studies, a city art museum and a number of cinemas.

Samara experiences a humid continental climate.

Saint Petersburg is a city of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. The city`s other names were Petrograd (1914–1924) and Leningrad (1924–1991). Founded by Tsar Peter I of Russia on 27 May, 1703, it was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than two hundred years (1713–1728, 1732–1918). It is Russia`s second largest and Europe`s third largest city after Moscow and London.

The city has 4.6 million inhabitants, and over 6 million people live in its vicinity.

Saint Petersburg is a major European cultural centre, and an important Russian port on the Baltic Sea. Saint Petersburg is often described as the most Western city of Russia. Among cities of the world with over one million people, Saint Petersburg is the northernmost. The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Russia`s political and cultural centre for 200 years, the city is sometimes referred by Russians as the northern capital. A large number of foreign consulates, international corporations, banks and other businesses are located in Saint Petersburg.

Saint Petersburg experiences a humid continental climate of the cool summer subtype, due to the distinct moderating influence of the Baltic Sea cyclons. With cool, humid and short summers and long, cold winters, the city is just short of having a subarctic climate. The average daily temperature in July is 22 °C (72 °F); summer maximum is about 34 °C (93 °F), winter minimum is about −35 °C (−31 °F). The record low temperature is −35.9 °C (−33 °F), recorded in 1883. The average annual temperature is +5.4 °C (42 °F).

Volgograd, formerly called Tsaritsyn (1589–1925) and Stalingrad (1925–1961) is a city and the administrative center of Volgograd Oblast, Russia. In 1961, the city`s name was changed to Volgograd ("Volga City").

The population is 1.011.417 inhabitants (2002).

It is 80 kilometers (50 mi) long, north to south, situated on the western bank of the Volga River. The city was the site of the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II.

Modern Volgograd is still an important industrial city. Its industries include shipbuilding, oil refining, steel and aluminium production, manufacture of machinery and vehicles, and chemical production. A large Volgograd Hydroelectric Plant stands a short distance to the north of Volgograd.

Cherkasy is a city in central Ukraine. It is the capital of the Cherkasy Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Cherkasky Raion (district) within the oblast. The city itself is also designated as its own separate raion within the oblast.

The city is cultural, educational and industrial center of Cherkasy Oblast and Central Economical Region of Ukraine. Cherkasy is famous since 13th century and played a great role in history of Ukraine. Cherkasy was the center of Cossacks, citizens took part in Khmelnychchyna and Koliyivschyna (cossacks and peasants rebellions).

The city is located on the right bank of Dnieper River (specifically at the Kremenchuk Reservoir), about 200 km (124 mi) south of the nation`s capital, Kiev. The city is divided into 2 parts (raions) - Sosnivskiy (with Orshanets village) and Pridniprovskiy. The current population of Cherkasy is 285,526 (as of 2010).

Cherkasy is situated on the high right bank of the Dnipro River, exactly - in the middle of Kremenchuk Reservoir. Relief of the historical part of the city was influenced by Zamkova (Castle) mountain, where Cherkasy Fortress was situated. Still, the major part of Cherkasy is located in lowlands.

The city area as of 2010 is 69 km², it is 17 kilometers long and just 8 km width. From the North-West Cherkasy is surrounded by forest - Cherkaskiy Bir (Cherkassy Forest), which is the biggest (28,500 hectares) natural pine forest in Ukraine. Climate of Cherkasy is mild continental with mild winters and warm (last time - hot) summers.

Average temperature in the city - +7,7 °C. Winters are usually cold and snowy (average January temperature - -5,9 °C), but last winters are rather warm with rare severe frosts (up to -25 °C). Summers are dry and warm (average temperature in July - +19,8 °C), with occasional jumps of temperature up to +35 °C.

Dniepropetrovsk or Dnepropetrovsk is Ukraine`s third largest city with 1.1 million inhabitants. It is located southeast of Ukraine`s capital Kiev on the Dnieper River, in the south-central region of the country. Dniepropetrovsk is the administrative center of the Dniepropetrovsk Oblast (province).

Within the Dniepropetrovsk Metropolitan area there are 1,860,000 people (2001) A vital industrial center of Ukraine, Dniepropetrovsk was one of the key centers of the nuclear, arms, and space industries of the former Soviet Union. In particular, it is home to Yuzhmash, a major space and ballistic missile designer and manufacturer. Because of its military industry, the city was a closed city until the 1990s.

Dniepropetrovsk has a highly-developed public transportation system, including the Dniepropetrovsk Metro, which consists of one metro line with a total of 6 stations. The city is built mainly upon the banks of the Dnieper river, in the loop of a major meander where the river changes its course from the north west to continue southerly and later south-westerly through Ukraine, ultimately reaching Kherson where it discharges into the Black Sea. This location always provided significant opportunities for the advancement of agriculture, mainly thanks to the natural irrigation provided by the river and the resulting fertile soils.

During the summer, Dniepropetrovsk is very warm (average day temperature in July is +24 to +27 °C (75 to 81 °F)), and in the winter, it is cold (average day temperature in January is −3 to +4 °C (+27 to +39 °F).

The best time for visiting the city is in late spring — second part of April and May, and early in autumn: September, October, when the city`s trees turn yellow. Long periods of rain are normal in autumn. Other times are mainly dry with a few showers.

The climate is a mixture of temperate and continental climates and sometimes in the winter it is very cold and snowy (sometimes dropping down to −10 to −15 °C), and in summer, the city is not very hot (up to +29 to +30 °C).

Donetsk is a large city in eastern Ukraine on the Kalmius river. Administratively, it is a center of Donetsk Oblast, while historically, it is the unofficial capital and largest city of the economic and cultural Donets Basin (Donbass) region.

Donetsk currently has a population of over 988,000 inhabitants (2007) and has a metropolitan area of over 1,566,000 inhabitants (2004). It is the fifth-largest city in Ukraine.

Donetsk lies in the steppe landscape of Ukraine, surrounded by scattered woodland, hills (slag heaps), rivers, and lakes. The northern outskirts of the city are mainly used for agriculture. The Azov Sea, 95 km south of Donetsk, is a popular recreational area for those living in Donetsk. A wide belt of farmlands surrounds the city.

Donetsk`s climate is moderate continental. The average temperatures are −5 °C (23 °F) in January and +18 °C (66 °F) in June. The average number of rainfall per year totals 162 days and up to 556 millimeters per year.

Dubno is a city located on the Ikva River in the Rivne Oblast (province) of western Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of Dubenskyi Raion (district), the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast. It was home to the Cold War facility Dubno air base.

The current estimated population is around 37,690 (as of 2005).

Horlivka (Gorlovka) is a city in the Donetsk Oblast (province) of eastern Ukraine.

As of 2001, the city`s population was 292,000. It is a coal mining and chemical industry centre.

The settlement was founded by Pyotr Gorlov in 1867, though it was little more than a series of mining camps until its rapid expansion in the 1930s.

During the Russian Revolution of 1905, it was the scene of an armed uprising.

In recent years many mines have closed, and the city`s population fell by more than ten percent during the 1990s.

Illichevsk is a port city in the Odessa Oblast (province) of south-western Ukraine. The city is designated as its own separate raion (district) within the oblast.

Ilichevsk is situated on the coast of the Black Sea, just 12 miles (20 km) west from Odessa. It is an independent city within Odessa Oblast.

Kharkov is the second largest city in Ukraine. It was the first capital of Soviet Ukraine, now the administrative center of the Kharkov Oblast (province), as well as the administrative centre of the surrounding Kharkovskyi Raion (district) within the oblast.

As of 2006, its population is 1,461,300.

Kharkov is located in the northeastern region of Ukraine. Historically, Kharkov lies in the Sloboda Ukraine region (Slobozhanshchyna also known as Slobidshchyna), in which it is considered the main city. The city rests at the confluence of the Kharkov, Lopan, and Udy Rivers, where they flow into the Northern Donets watershed.

Kharkov`s climate is moderate continental: cold and snowy winters, and hot summers. The seasonal average temperatures are not too cold in winter, not too hot in summer (-6.9 °C in January, and 20.3 °C in July). The average rainfall totals 513 millimeters per year, with the most in June and July.

Kherson is a city in southern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Kherson Oblast (province), and is designated as its own separate raion (district) within the oblast. Kherson is an important port on the Black Sea and Dnieper River, and the home of a major ship-building industry.

The current estimated population is 329,000 (as of 2007).

Kiev is the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. Kiev is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural centre of Eastern Europe. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions and world-famous historical landmarks. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including the Kiev Metro.

As of April 2007, official municipal estimates placed the population of Kiev at about 2.7 million inhabitants, although some much higher unofficial estimates are often published.

Geographically, Kiev belongs to the Polesia ecological zone (a part of the European mixed woods). Kiev is located on both sides of the Dnieper River, which flows south through the city towards the Black Sea.

Kiev has a continental humid climate. The warmest months are June, July, and August, with mean temperatures of 13.8 to 24.8 °C (56.9 to 76.7 °F). The coldest are December, January, and February, with mean temperatures of −4.6 to -1.1 °C (23.7 to 30.0 °F).

Lugansk is a city in southeastern Ukraine.

It is the administrative center of the Lugansk Oblast (province). The city itself is also designated as its own separate municipality within the oblast, and is part of the Donbass region.

The current estimated population is around 445,900 (as of 2004).

Mariupol, formerly known as Zhdanov, is a port city in southeastern Ukraine.

As of October 1, 2008, the city population stood at 494,587 people. For the last century the population has grown almost 12 times. The city is populated by Ukrainians, Russians, Greeks, Belarusians, Armenians, Jews and representatives of other nationalities.

The main language is Russian. There is a large number of Greek-speaking people but the city is predominantly Russian-speaking.

It is located on the coast of the Azov Sea, at the mouth of the Kalmius River. Mariupol is the largest city in Priazovye - a geographical region around Azov Sea, divided by Russia and Ukraine - and is also a popular sea resort. Administratively, the city is located in the Donetsk oblast and historically formed a part of the broader Donbas region.

There is a moderate-continental climate with recurring droughts and dry winds in the summer and thawing weather, fogs - in the winter. Average temperature of air in January +41.4°F ( 5.2 °C), in July +82.4°F (+ 28 °C).

Melitopol is a city in the Zaporozhia Oblast of the southeastern Ukraine.

The estimated population as of 2007 is around 158,700.

It is situated on the Molochna River that flows through the eastern edge of the city and into the Molochnyi Liman, which eventually joins the Sea of Azov. The city was formerly named Kyzyl-Yar until 1816, and Novoalexandrovka until 1842. Serving as the administrative center of the Melitopolskyi Raion, the city itself is directly subordinate to the oblast center.

Generally, the Russian language is spoken in the city.

Nikolaev is a major city in southern Ukraine.

There are several variations of the city`s name.

The city is located 65 kilometers (40 mi) from the Black Sea along the estuary of the Southern Buh river.

Nikolaev is the administrative center of the Nikolaev Oblast (province).

Today Nikolaev is a major shipbuilding center of Ukraine (as, earlier, of the whole Soviet Union) and an important riverport. The city has three major shipyards one of which is capable of building large navy ships. Other important industries are mechanical engineering, power engineering, metallurgy and cosmetics.

Odessa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast (province) located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine.

Population of Odessa is 1,029,000 (as of the 2001 census).

Odessa is situated on terraced hills overlooking a small harbor, approximately 31 km (19 mi.) north of the estuary of the Dniester river and some 443 km (275 mi) south of the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

The city has a mild and dry climate with average temperatures in January of -2 °C (29 °F), and July of 22 °C (72 °F). It averages only 350 mm (14 in) of precipitation annually.

The primary language spoken is Russian, with Ukrainian being less common despite its being an official language in Ukraine. The city is a mix of many nationalities and ethnic groups, including Ukrainians, Russians, Greeks, Jews, Moldovans, Bulgarians, Armenians, Turks, Georgians, Germans, Koreans, and many others.

Poltava a city in central Ukraine.

It is the administrative center of the Poltava Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Poltavskyi Raion (district) within the oblast. The city itself is also designated as its own separate raion within the oblast.

The current estimated population is 313,400 (as of 2004).

Rovno is a historic city in western Ukraine.

The current estimated population is around 249,900 (as of 2004).

It is the administrative center of the Rovno Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Rovnensky Raion (district) within the oblast. The city itself is also designated as its own separate raion within the oblast.

Rovno is an important transportation hub, with the international Rovno Airport, and rail links to Zdolbunov, Sarny and Kovel, as well as highways linking it with Brest, Kiev and Lvov.

Sevastopol is a city on rights of administrative division of Ukraine, located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea peninsula. It has a population of 342,451 (2001). Sevastopol is the second largest port in Ukraine, after the Port of Odessa.

The unique geographic location and navigation conditions of the city`s harbours make Sevastopol a strategically important naval point. It is also a popular seaside resort and tourist destination, mainly for visitors from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. The city, formerly the home of the Russian then Soviet Black Sea Fleet, is now home to a Ukrainian naval base and a Russian naval base in facilities leased by the Russian Navy.

City enjoys one of the warmest climates in Ukraine, with mild winters and moderate warm summers. Sevastopol has a humid subtropical climate.

Shostka is a town in Sumy Oblast in north-east of Ukraine.

The population is 85,800 (2004).

The town lies on the river Shostka, a tributary of Desna, from which it gets its name. Shostka is an important centre of industry; in chemicals and in dairy: Shostka City Milk Plant was recently acquired by Fromageries Bel.

Simferopol is the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in southern Ukraine. As the capital of Crimea, Simferopol is an important political, economic, and transport center of the peninsula.

As of 2006, the city`s population is 340,600.

Simferopol is located in the south-central portion of the Crimean peninsula. The city lies on the Salhir River and near the artificial Simferopol Reservoir, which provides the city with clean drinking water.

The city`s climate is dry and warm, with mild winters. The average temperature in January is −0.5 °C (31 °F) and 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) in July.

Sumy is a city on the Psel River in Ukraine, and the capital of the Sumy Oblast.

As of 2004, the city`s population is 283,700. It is served by Sumy Airport.

Sumy was founded in 1652 at the bank of the Psel River (a left tributary of the Dnieper) as a Cossack fortress.

The majority of residents are Christians - Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics and Protestants (Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists etc.). Also represented are the Jehovah`s Witnesses movement, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism.

Vinnitsa is a city located on the banks of the Southern Buh River, in central Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Vinnitsa Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Vinnitskyi Raion (district) within the oblast.

The current estimated population is 350,400.

Vinnitsa is located about 260 km (160 mi) from the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, 429 km (267 mi) from the port city Odessa, and 369 km (229 mi) from Lvov.

A long lasting warm summer with a sufficient quantity of moisture and a comparatively short winter is characteristic of Vinnitsa. The average temperature in January is -5.8 °C and 18.3 °C in July.

Zaporozhye is a city in south-central Ukraine, which rests on the banks of the Dnieper River.

It is currently the sixth largest city in Ukraine and has a current estimated population of 790,000 (as of 2007).

It is the administrative center of the Zaporozhye Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Zaporozkyi Raion (district) within the oblast. The city itself is directly subordinate to the oblast, and is located approximately 70 km (43 mi) south of the city of Dniepropetrovsk.

Zaporozhye was formerly referred to as Aleksandrovsk, after the commander of the first Russian Army, Prince Alexander Golitsyn, but was renamed in 1921 to Zaporozhye.

Zhytomir is a historic city in the North of the western half of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zhytomir Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Zhytomir Rayon (district). Note that the city of Zhytomir is not a part of the Zhytomir rayon: the city itself is designated as its own separate rayon within the oblast; moreover Zhytomir consists of two so-called "rayons in a city": the Bohunsky rayon and the Korolyovsky rayon (named in honor of Sergey Korolyov).

The current estimated population is 277,900 (as of 2005).

Zhytomir lies in a unique natural setting; all sides of the city are surrounded by ancient forests through which flow the Teteriv, Kamyanka, Yaroshenka and Putiatynka rivers. The Teteriv river bounds Zhytomir at the south (though, precisely speaking, there are also some small areas of Zhytomir city territory at the southern bank of the river). The city is rich in parks and public squares.