Krasnodar, formerly Yekaterinodar is the largest city and the administrative centre of Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The city stands on the Kuban Riveā¦Krasnodar, formerly Yekaterinodar is the largest city and the administrative centre of Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The city stands on the Kuban River in southern Russia, with a population of 1,154,885 residents, and up to 1.263 million residents in the Urban Okrug. In the past decade Krasnodar has experienced rapid population growth, rising to become the eleventh-largest city in Russia, and the largest city in southern Russia, as well as the Southern Federal District. Was the capital of Kuban People's Republic and South Russia.