In early 1942 eight Jewish families from Rotmistrovka, comprising a total of about 30 people, were transported to the town of Smela, the seat of the neighboring county. After a few days in Smela they were taken to a forested area known as Yuryeva Gora, about 5 kilometers northwest of Smela, and shot to death, apparently together with several hundred Jews from Smela and nearby counties. Neither the exact date of this massacre nor the identity of the perpetrators is known. In all likelihood, the murder operation was carried out by German rural and local auxiliary policemen.

More information: Yad Vashem