Ukhta (; ,
Ukva) is an important industrial
town in the
Komi Republic of
Russia. Population:
History
Oil springs along the
Ukhta River were already known in the 17th century. In the mid-19th century, industrialist M. K. Sidorov started to drill for oil in this area. It was one of the first oil wells in Russia. There was homecraft oil-field in 1920–1921 in Ukhta. Lying on the river of the same name, the settlement was founded as the village of
Chibyu in 1929, but in 1939 it was renamed Ukhta. It was granted town status in 1943 when it was linked to the Pechora Railway. To the east of the town is
Sosnogorsk, and to the southwest—Yarega. In addition to its rail link, Ukhta also has an
airport.