Starobin, Belarus

Starobin is an urban-type settlement in Salihorsk District, Minsk Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Starobin rural council. It is situated from Salihorsk and from the capital Minsk. As of 2024, it has a population of 6,492.

History

Starobin is known from the 16th century as a part of the Principality of Slutsk within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Following its incorporation into the Russian Empire, Starobin had a population of 496 in 1886.
From 1924 to 1962, it served as the administrative center of Starobin District. In 1938, it received the status of urban-type settlement. It was part of Lyuban District from 1962 and then Salihorsk District from 1965.

World War II

During World War II, Starobin was under German occupation from 26 June 1941 until the summer of 1944. It was administered as part of Generalbezirk Weißruthenien within Reichskommissariat Ostland. Prior to the war, there were 1,210 Jews residing in Starobin, making up 35.43 percent of the population.
The first Aktion took place on 18–19 July 1941, according to Soviet sources, when a motorized detachment of the Wehrmacht shot 372 Jewish men. Numerous mass shootings occurred during the occupation, with the 150 to 200 Jews who survived the various shootings in August 1941 being placed in a ghetto. The ghetto was finally liquidated in the spring of 1943, with only one Jewish family surviving before they were murdered by the Germans in 1944 as they retreated.