Molochansk was founded in 1804 by
Plautdietsch-speaking
Mennonite settlers who were invited by Empress
Catherine the Great to settle on the vast western
steppes of the
Tsar's
Russian Empire, becoming part of the
Volga Germans. They called the new village "Halbstadt". Mennonites had earlier, in 1789, founded the
Chortitza Colony at the invitation of Catherine the Great. It was the successful founding of Chortitza that encouraged expansion into the Molochna River region. By 1850, there were over 50 Mennonite villages south and east of Molochansk/Halbstadt. Because of hostile national policies toward Mennonites in the 20th century
Soviet Union, almost no Mennonites are left in the region. During Soviet rule, a large number of people lost all their possessions, left the country, or were
forcibly relocated to remote parts of
Kazakhstan. In 2004, the 200th anniversary of Molochansk/Halbstadt was celebrated with worldwide distinguished guests in attendance. Canada's ambassador to Ukraine was present at this gala event. ==Demographics==