Tambov (Russian: Тамбо́в; IPA: [tɐmˈbof]) is a city and the administrative center of Tambov Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Tsna and Studenets Rivers 480 kilometers (300 mi) southeast of Moscow. Population: 280,457 (2010 Census); 293,658 (2002 Census)); 304,600 (1989 Census).

The name "Tambov" originates from the Moksha language word "томба" (tomba) meaning wetland.^{[citation needed]}

It was founded by the decree of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich on April 17, 1636 (old style).^{[citation needed]} Originally built as a border fortress against Crimean Tatars, Tambov soon declined in importance as military outpost and became an administrative and trade center of a largely rural region.

Roman Boborykin, the emperor's court menial (stolnik) and voivode became the first builder of the town. Thanks to his experience, the fortress construction was finished rapidly. It was granted city status in 1719.

In 1779, Tambov Viceroyalty was formed, and on August 16, 1781, Catherine the Great approved the city's coat of arms depicting a beehive symbolizing the city's hardworking residents. In March 1786, the disgraced Russian poet and statesman Gavrila Derzhavin was appointed the governor of Tambov Governorate—a post he held until December 1788. But even during that short period he managed to do much. The city's development was being carried on: a theater, a college, a dancing school, a printing house, a newspaper, an orchestra, and a brick-yard were built. A monument to Derzhavin was later erected in Tambov.

Murat Ismailovich Nasyrov (Russian: Мурат Исмаилович Насыров; Uyghur: Murat Nasirow‎) (13 December 1969, Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union – 19 January 2007, Moscow, Russia) was a Russian pop singer of Uyghur ethnicity.

He committed suicide by jumping from a balcony. There were reports that it was the result of ingesting LSD, possibly dissolved in some alcohol he drank a few hours before his death. According to these allegations, it occurred in a VIP restaurant bar in Moscow, although the postmortem examination of his body did not reveal any traces of alcohol or drugs.

Nasyrov's supposed suicide has been disputed. Recent reports in the Russian press have implied that he may have been the victim of foul play, as family members and friends insist that Nasyrov was not depressed and had never considered suicide before. Some suspect that he was given an LSD tablet in a glass of wine at a club, and after drinking it, experienced hallucinations and leapt off his balcony.