Protvino () is a town in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located about south of Moscow and west of Serpukhov, on the left bank of the Protva River. Population: History Construction of an urban-type settlement intended to house a large high energy physics research laboratory started in 1958, and the Rosatom Institute for High Energy Physics was opened here in 1965. The institute is known for the 70 GeV proton accelerator which was the largest in the world at the time it was launched in 1967, and other physics research. Town status was granted in 1989. The UNK Collider was the last big planned particle accelerator. Among the discoveries made at IHEP are that of antihelium and the Serpukhov cross-section effect. Administrative and municipal status Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as Protvino Town Under Oblast Jurisdiction—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, Protvino Town Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated as Protvino Urban Okrug. Transport In the city the Protvino railroad station is located, although it is only used for cargo transport. Public transport is provided by buses. Twin towns – sister cities Protvino is twinned with: Antony, France Bowling Green, United States Gomel, Belarus Lahoysk, Belarus Milan, United States Somero, Finland Notable residents Nixelpixel (born 1993), feminist and cyber activist Vitali Yelsukov (born 1973), football player Anatoli Bugorski (born 1942), survivor of a particle accelerator accident References Notes Sources External links Unofficial website of Protvino Institute for High Energy Physics Cities and towns in Moscow Oblast Nuclear research institutes Cities and towns built in the Soviet Union Populated places established in 1958 Naukograds