Poliske

Abadoned building of Administration, 2009

Poliske (Ukrainian: Поліське), Polesskoye Russian: Полесское is an abandoned settlement and former town in Kiev Oblast, Ukraine. It is located on the Uzh River and was an administrative center of Poliske Raion (district). However, later the town was taken out of a registry as it was completely depopulated being located in the Zone of alienation. Currently there live around 10 people, so called samosely ("self-settlers").

Originally called Khabnoye / Khabne (Russian: Хабное, Ukrainian: Хабне), it was renamed Kaganovichi Pervye / Kahanovychi Pershi (Russian: Кагановичи Первые, Ukrainian: Кагановичі Перші) in 1934, and Poliske in 1957.

Founded in the 15th century, it was the home of the Polish family Horwatt from 1850 to 1918. In the 19th century this small city was known for its weavers and its textile industry. In 1890, 80% of the population was Jewish. In the later half of the 19th century, and in the beginning of the 20th century, there was known a klezmer band of Makonowiecki family. Khabne lost all its major architecture during the Soviet Union - the castle of Radziwiłł, Orthodox churches, and the Catholic Church. In 1938, Khabne received official city status. After the Chernobyl disaster, Khabne's population started to fall off. In 1999, the remaining population was evacuated. In 2005 there were about 1000 people still living there, mostly senior citizens.

Iser Kuperman, a seven-time world champion of draughts, was born in Khabne on April 21, 1922.

Lazar Kaganovich, one of leaders of the Soviet Union, and co-author of The Ukrainian Famine and Katyn massacre was born in the suburb of Kabany (Russian: Кабаны, Кабани, Кабанив) (near Khabne) in 1893.

Coordinates: 51°14′27.27″N 29°23′13.11″E / 51.2409083°N 29.386975°E / 51.2409083; 29.386975