Wikipedia
Molochansk is a city in Tokmak Raion of Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine. It is located at around . Molochna River flows through the city. Population: .
Molochansk was founded in 1804 by Dutch & German Mennonite settlers who were invited by Catherine the Great (II) to settle on the vast steppes of the Tsar's Russian empire. They called the new village "Halbstadt". Due to the Russian hostile national policies towards Germans in the 20th century, almost no native Germans are left in the region. During the mad years of establishing the Soviet power in the region selected number of people lost all their possessions "in the name of Revolution" such as the Askania Nova that was raided by the Red Guards. During the Soviet Union all Germans were relocated to the remote parts of Kazakhstan. In 2004 the 200th anniversary of Molochansk/Halbstadt was celebrated with worldwide distinguished guests in attendance. Canada's ambassador to Ukraine was present at this gala event.
Mennonites had earlier, in 1789, founded the Chortitza settlement at the invitation of Empress Catherine the Great. It was the successful founding of Chortitza that encouraged expansion into the Molochnaya River region. By 1850 there were over 50 Mennonite villages south and east of Molochansk/Halbstadt.