Karkov (or Kharkov or Kharkiv) was a major city in southern Russia, (modern day northeast Ukraine), about 400 miles south-southwest of Moscow, and 350 miles northeast of Odessa. The city dates back to the mid-seventeenth century, and had a major university. It was on the rail line between Moscow and Odessa. In 1910, young Indiana Jones, his parents Henry and Anna, and his tutor Helen Seymour passed through Karkov on the rail line, after passing through Orel on their way from Kuntsevo to Greece.