Donetsk

City in Ukraine; capital of Donetsk region (oblast), situated in the Donets Basin, a major coal-mining area and one of the largest industrial centres in Ukraine, 600 km/372 mi southeast of Kiev; population (2003 est) 984,900; urban agglomeration 1,699,500. Donetsk has blast furnaces, rolling mills, and other heavy industries. Other industries include electricity generation, building materials, shoes, furniture, and food processing.

Donetsk developed from 1869 when a Scottish industrialist, John Hughes, established a metallurgical factory, and the town was initially called Yuzovka after him; it was renamed Stalino in 1924, and Donetsk in 1961. During World War II German troops occupied and severely damaged the city. It is the seat of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and also has a university.