Novopolotsk


Novopolotsk or Navapolatsk is a city in Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus. Founded in 1958, it is located close to the city of Polotsk and the name literally means "New Polotsk". In 2008, its population was 107,458. As of 2025, it has a population of 95,370.

Industry

Novopolotsk and the surrounding area generally relies on the petrochemical industry.

OJSC "Naftan"

Naftan is the leading oil refinery. It was constructed in 1959. This refinery takes crude oil from the Volga Region of Russia and generates diesel, gasoline, and kerosine, along with other technological products. In addition to Naftan, Belarus built a large chemical plant, called "Polymir". This plant produces plastic and polyethylene. There are multiple products that could be produced from polyethylene, for example artificial fur.

Tourism

Novopolotsk is not very big in the tourism business. However, there are six hotels in the city available for tourists.

Sport

Novopolotsk has produced several players for Belarus national bandy team. Daniil Garnitsky is President of the Belarusian Bandy Federation.
Khimik-SKA Novopolotsk of the Belarusian Extraleague is the local pro hockey team.

Culture

There are several culture centres, music schools, of which the Novopolotsk State Musical College, art schools, and libraries in the city. There is also a museum of history and culture of Novopolotsk. The city has an a cappella music group, which won an international award.

International relations

Novopolotsk is twinned with:
Former twin towns:
In March 2022, the Polish city of Płock suspended its partnership with Novopolotsk as a response to Belarusian involvement in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Notable people

People from Novopolotsk:
  • Mikalai Aliokhin, handballer
  • Elvin Mohhubat oglu Aliyev, footballer
  • Igor Astapkovich, hammer thrower
  • Dzmitry Barysaw, footballer
  • Viktor Belyatsky, weightlifter
  • Darya Blashko, biathlete
  • Viachaslau Bokhan, handballer
  • Igor Brikun, ice hockey goaltender
  • Pavel Chernook, ice hockey player
  • Pavel Chernov, ice hockey player
  • Vadim Devyatovskiy, hammer thrower
  • Aleksandr Frantsev, footballer
  • Lyudmila Gubkina, hammer thrower
  • Danila Karaban, ice hockey player
  • Uladzislaw Kasmynin, footballer
  • Vitali Kiryushchenkov, ice hockey forward
  • Alexander Kitarov, ice hockey player
  • Sergei Kolosov, ice hockey defenceman
  • Nikita Komarov, ice hockey player
  • Dmitry Korobov, ice hockey defenceman
  • Andrei Kostitsyn, ice hockey forward
  • Sergei Kostitsyn, ice hockey forward; brother of Andrei
  • Aleksandr Krasko, athlete
  • Yuri Kurilsky, serial killer
  • Yuliy Kuznetsov, footballer
  • Henadz Laptseu, weightlifter
  • Aleksey Lesnichiy, high jumper
  • Galina Nikandrova, Olympic rhythmic gymnast
  • Sergei Ostapchuk, ice hockey player
  • Sergey Punko, paralympic swimmer
  • Sviatlana Sakhanenka, cross-country skier
  • Alex Shabunya, bodybuilder
  • Vadim Sushko, ice hockey defenceman
  • Artem Teplov, footballer
  • Vitaly Teterev, chess player
  • Artyom Volkov, ice hockey player
  • Roman Volkov, footballer
  • Alexander Yeronov, ice hockey player
  • Sergei Zadelenov, ice hockey centre