Usman

Usman stands on the river from which it takes its name, south of Lipetsk. Founded in 1645 as an #italic ostrog#!, or fortified stockade, it formed part of the Belgorod Line built to defend Russia's southern frontier against raids from the steppe. The defences did not end the danger at once: Tatars attacked Usman in 1652. As the frontier moved farther south and new lines were built, the settlement outgrew its original military role and received town status in 1779.