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Donetsk

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Donetsk is a large industrial city in eastern Ukraine.

Donetsk downtown map
Donetsk downtown map

It sits in a region known as the Donets Basin, or Donbas. The city is located on the Kalmius River. This river flows south toward the Sea of Azov.

Kalmius 01
Kalmius 01

The landscape is mostly a flat steppe. You will see scattered woods, hills, and many lakes nearby. There are also 125 spoil tips, which are large piles of waste from mining.

Kalmius 01
Kalmius 01

The city is part of a large urban area near the city of Makiivka.

Industry is the heart of the city. Donetsk is a major center for coal mining and steel production. These heavy industries provide many jobs for a skilled workforce. However, these factories also create a difficult ecological situation. This means the environment can be hard on the air and land. The city is also known for its science and research. In 1965, the Donetsk Academy of Sciences was established.

Zasyadko Coal Mine1
Zasyadko Coal Mine1

Donetsk has changed its name many times over the years. It was first mentioned in 1779 as Aleksandrovka. In 1869, a Welsh businessman named John Hughes founded a steel plant there.

Donetsk britania 02
Donetsk britania 02

Because of him, the town was called Yuzivka. The city grew quickly and became a major center. In 1924, it was renamed Stalin. Later, it was called Stalino. In 1961, the name was changed to Donetsk.

Donetsk Center
Donetsk Center

Many people have lived in this city throughout its history. In 1917, it became a city. By the start of World War II, the population was 507,000 people. The city was almost destroyed during the war. After the war, it was rebuilt on a large scale. In 2011, the metropolitan area had over 2 million people.

Donetsk donbass palace 02
Donetsk donbass palace 02

However, a UN report in 2012 said the city was losing its population quickly.

Since 2014, Donetsk has been a major site of fighting. This is part of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Pro-Russian separatist forces and Ukrainian military forces have fought for control.

2014-04-06. Протесты в Донецке 095
2014-04-06. Протесты в Донецке 095

The Donetsk International Airport was a major center of the fighting for nearly a year. Currently, the city is occupied by Russia. It is used as the capital of the Donetsk People's Republic.

Raions of Donetsk and Donetsk City Municipality
Raions of Donetsk and Donetsk City Municipality

This conflict has changed daily life for everyone living there.

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🖼️ Images & Media (31)
File:День Победы в Донецке, 2010 036.JPG
День Победы в Донецке, 2010 036.JPG
File:2014-04-06. Протесты в Донецке 095.jpg
2014-04-06. Протесты в Донецке 095.jpg
File:Kalmius 01.jpg
Kalmius 01.jpg
File:Raions of Donetsk and Donetsk City Municipality.PNG
Raions of Donetsk and Donetsk City...
File:Donetsk downtown map.png
Donetsk downtown map.png
File:2013. День Победы в Донецке 192.jpg
2013. День Победы в Донецке 192.jpg
File:Viewfromtheroof.jpg
Viewfromtheroof.jpg
File:Zasyadko Coal Mine1.JPG
Zasyadko Coal Mine1.JPG
File:Donetsk Donbass Arena 30.jpg
Donetsk Donbass Arena 30.jpg
File:РСК Олимпийский (008).jpg
РСК Олимпийский (008).jpg
File:Donetsk Center.jpg
Donetsk Center.jpg
File:Panoramio - V&A Dudush - Str.Artema.jpg
Panoramio - V&A Dudush - Str.Artema.jpg

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