Vyazma

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Vyazma (vyäz´mə), city (1989 pop. 59,000), N central European Russia, on the Vyazma River, a tributary of the Dnieper. Founded in the 9th cent., Vyazma became an important trade and military center that was an object of contention among Russia, Lithuania, and Poland. During World War II it was held by the Germans, who destroyed it prior to withdrawal.

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