KREMENCHUK

Russian Kremenchug, also spelled Kremencug, city, Poltava oblast (province), Ukraine. The city lies along the Dnieper River where it is crossed by the Kharkiv-Kirovohrad railway. Founded in 1571 as a fortress, Kremenchuk acquired city status in 1765. The modern city and the Kryukiv district across the river have developed important metallurgical and engineering industries that produce steel castings, rolling stock, heavy trucks, and harvesters. Iron ore is mined in the vicinity, and oil from the river's west-bank area is refined in Kremenchuk. In 1959 a large hydroelectric station was completed just north of the city. Pop. (1993 est.) 248,000.