Rumcherod

Rumcherod (Румчерод) was a short-lived organ of Soviet power in the South-Western Ukraine and Bessarabia that functioned during May 1917–May 1918. The name is the transliteration of the Russian language abbreviation for "Rumania" + "Black Sea" + "Odessa" (Румыния + Черное море + Одесса), the full name being Central Executive Committee of the Soviets of Romanian Front, Black Sea Fleet, and Odessa Military District.

At these times the Odessa Military District (Odessa Military Okrug) included Kherson guberniya, Bessarabia guberniya, Taurida guberniya and parts of Podolia and Volhynia guberniyas.

Rumcherod was created at the 1st Congress of Front and District Soviets in Odessa, May 10–May 27 1917 (May 23–June 9 O.S.). The majority in the initial membership were Mensheviks and Esers, who supported the Russian Provisional Government and the continuation of the war to the very end. Their position was against Bolsheviks and their October Revolution. Therefore by the order of Sovnarkom, Chief Commander Nikolai Krylenko and Military Revolutionary Committee at Stavka, Rumcherod was dismissed and a new one (180 persons) was elected at the 2nd Congress of Front and District Soviets in Odessa, December 10–December 23, 1917 (December 23 1917–January 5 1918 O.S.). The composition of the second Rumcherod was 70 Bolsheviks, 55 left Esers, 23 representatives of peasant organizations, and 32 from other parties. A Bolshevik, Vladimir Yudovsky, was elected Chairman.

In March 1918 the invasion of Austria-German troops forced Rumcherod to evacuate to Nikolayev, then to Rostov-on-Don, and then to Yeysk. In May 1918 it was dissolved.