Baikal–Amur Mainline
It was founded in 1957 as a workers' settlement due to the construction of the western section of the Baikal–Amur Mainline between Tayshet and Bratsk. The river, the railway station, and the town were named after Vikhor Savin, a Strelets "sotnik" who was killed here by the Tungus people in 1630. It was granted town status in 1966.