A few kilometers from the village of Tarakanovo in the Rivne region lies the grim yet remarkably picturesque Dubensky Fort, which attracts attention with its harsh beauty. Despite significant decay, the massive walls and formidable embrasures still remind us of its former glory and military purpose. Construction of the fort began in the 18th century after the partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, when the borders of the Russian Empire touched those of Austria-Hungary, creating a need for new fortifications. Thus, the first semblance of a fort was laid.

However, substantial reconstruction only began in the 1860s. Chief engineer and hero of Sevastopol Totleben recommended that the government approach the construction of defensive structures with care. The Cabinet of Ministers supported his proposals, allocating 66 million rubles for this purpose. The fort was built using advanced technologies of the time, including the rarely used concrete. The quadrilateral fortress was transformed into an impregnable stronghold, surrounded by wide moats and earthen ramparts.

Inside the fort, there were 105 casemates, each with its own purpose. There were ammunition depots, barracks, hospitals, operating rooms, command rooms, and even rooms with wells. To penetrate inside, the enemy had to overcome two lines of fortifications. Even in the event of a successful assault, Totleben provided for underground passages that allowed the remaining soldiers to continue resisting until reinforcements arrived. In 1890, the royal family visited to see the completion of the fort and was pleased with the work done. However, later the fortress had to be stormed... by the Russians.

In 1915, the garrison was withdrawn, and the fort had to be recaptured during the Brusilov Offensive. After World War II, the fortress was finally abandoned. At one point, there were plans to use it as a warehouse for canned goods, but due to high humidity, the project was scrapped. Now, Dubensky Fort decays and deteriorates more and more each day.