Dobryanka

Jews apparently settled in Dobryanka in the second half of the 19th century. On October 24, 1905 a pogrom took place but it was halted in its early stages by Dobryanka’s police force. In the spring of 1918 a pogrom was carried out by troops of the Central Rada (the Council of Ukraine). In May of the same year Cossacks led by Yaroshevsky staged another pogrom during which Jews were beaten and killed.

Under the Soviets many young Jews left for cities in search of employment. In 1939 267 Jews lived in Dobryanka, comprising 5 percent of the total population.

Dobryanka was occupied on August 25, 1941. Most Jews succeeded in leaving in time. The remaining Jews were murdered by Germans in the autumn of 1941.

Dobryanka was liberated by the Red Army on September 27, 1943.