Brief Overview of Donetsk

Donetsk is a large city in Eastern Ukraine on the Kalmius river. This is a center of Donetsk Oblast, and at the same time it is the unofficial capital and largest city of the economic and cultural region called Donbass (Donets Basin).

The city was founded in 1869 by a Welsh businessman, John Hughes, who constructed a steel plant and several coal mines in the region; the town was thus named Yuzovka in recognition of his role in its founding. During Soviet times, the city's steel industry was expanded and since 1924 it was renamed Stalino, after Joseph Stalin, and hence renamed after 1961, during the De-Stalinisation to its modern name after the Seversky Donets river.

Today, the city still remains an important industrial centre for coal and steel in Ukraine, and houses the "Donetsk" special economic zone, established in 1998.

During a 2- to 3-day stay in Donetsk you can get to know this unique city of miners, metal workers and builders. The city has a local lore museum, an art gallery and many industrial enterprises.

In the evening you can learn more of Ukrainian art by visiting the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Ukrainian Music and Drama Theatre, the Regional Philharmonic, or go to the cinema.

The city is currently home to two major professional football teams in Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalurh Donetsk, both of which currently play in the Ukrainian Premier League. Important attractions of the city include the Cathedral Transfiguration of Jesus, the Donetsk National University, and others.

Donetsk currently has a population of over 1,100,000 inhabitants.