1) Rural soviet 2) Type of country subdivision 
Administrative area, comparable to the raion, covering the equivalent of several counties.
• (n.) In the greater part of Russia, a division for local government consisting of a group of mirs, or village communities; a canton.
(from the article `Russia`) ...private serfs. Kiselev set up a system of government administration down to the village level and provided for a measure of self-government under ...
Vo'lost noun [ Russian volost' .] In the greater part of Russia, a division for local government consisting of a group of mirs, or village communities; a canton. 
a region.