Novopolotsk (, ; , ) is a city in Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus, with a population (2008 estimate) of 107,458. Founded in 1958, it is located close to the city of Polotsk and the name literally means "New Polotsk." Industry Out of all the cities in the Vitebsk Oblast, Novopolotsk is the leading producer in the refining and chemical industry business. The entire city of Novopolotsk and Polotsk live and survive because of this industry. OJSC "Naftan" Naftan is the leading oil refinery. It was constructed in 1959. This refinery takes crude oil from the Volga Region of Russia and generates diesel, gasoline, and kerosine, along with other technological products. In addition to Naftan, Belarus built a large chemical plant, called "Polymir". This plant produces plastic and polyethylene. There are multiple products that could be produced from polyethylene, for example artificial fur. Tourism Novopolotsk is not very big in the tourism business. However, there are six hotels in the city available for tourists. Sport Novopolotsk has produced several players for Belarus national bandy team. Daniil Garnitsky is President of the Belarusian Bandy Federation. Khimik-SKA Novopolotsk of the Belarusian Extraleague is the local pro hockey team. Culture There are several culture centres, music schools, of which the Novopolotsk State Musical College, art schools, and libraries in the city. There is also a museum of history and culture of Novopolotsk. The city has an a cappella music group, which won an international award. International relations Novopolotsk is twinned with: Chauffailles, France Dmitrovsky (Moscow), Russia Elektrostal, Russia Givors, France Kruševac, Serbia Kstovo, Russia Kursk, Russia Ludza, Latvia Mažeikiai, Lithuania Odintsovo, Russia Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Russia Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Poland Pantelej (Niš), Serbia Pavlovsk, Russia Pushkin, Russia Skadovsk, Ukraine Smiltene, Latvia Ventspils, Latvia Former twin towns: Płock, Poland In March 2022, the Polish city of Płock suspended its partnership with Novopolotsk as a response to Belarusian involvement in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Notable people People from Novopolotsk: Mikalai Aliokhin (born 1998), handballer Elvin Mohhubat oglu Aliyev (born 2000), footballer Igor Astapkovich (born 1963), hammer thrower Dzmitry Barysaw (born 1995), footballer Viktor Belyatsky (born 1970), weightlifter Darya Blashko (born 1996), biathlete Viachaslau Bokhan (born 1996), handballer Igor Brikun (born 1986), ice hockey goaltender Pavel Chernook (born 1986), ice hockey player Pavel Chernov (born 1990), ice hockey player Vadim Devyatovskiy (born 1977), hammer thrower Aleksandr Frantsev (born 1997), footballer Lyudmila Gubkina (born 1973), hammer thrower Danila Karaban (born