Yuzovka

Yuzovka is the historical name for the city now known as Donetsk, located in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast. It originated as a private industrial settlement established in 1870 by Welsh entrepreneur John Hughes, who built a steelworks and a surrounding workers' town at the Kalmius River. The settlement grew rapidly as coal mining and metallurgy expanded in the region, and by the late 19th century it had become one of the major industrial centers in the Russian Empire's Donets Basin.

The name Yuzovka derives from Hughes's surname; in Russian usage the settlement was commonly called Yuzovka or Hughesovka, reflecting the founder’s name. The name appears in historical documents and maps of the period.

In 1924 the Soviet authorities renamed Yuzovka as Stalino in honor of Joseph Stalin; in 1961 the city was renamed Donetsk after the Donets River. Since then Donetsk has been the official name, while Yuzovka remains a historical reference.

Today Donetsk is a major industrial city known for coal and steel production and for its role in the broader Donbas economy. The name Yuzovka is primarily encountered in historical or cultural contexts, including older texts and local lore.