ELETS, a town in the Orel province of the Russian S.F.S.R., situated on the Sosna R., a tributary of the Don, in lat. 52° 3 7' N., long. 38° io' E. Its population, 42,492 in 1926, has increased rapidly owing to its favourable situation as a junction for five railway lines. It has an electric generating plant, and its indus trial undertakings include iron founding, lime-burning, leather preparation and tobacco works. It is an important grain and cattle centre: the first grain elevator in Russia was erected here in 1887. The cathedral and two monasteries contain historic relics. Elets is first mentioned in 1147, when it was a fort of Ryazan. The Turkish Polovtsi or Kumans attacked it in the 12th century, and the Mongols destroyed it during their first invasion (1239) and again in 1305. The Tatars plundered it in 1415 and 1450; and it seems to have been completely abandoned in the latter half of the 15th century. Its development dates from the second half of the 17th century, when it became a centre for trade with south Russia.