HISTORY OF THE DONETSK REGION

Archeological researches show that the Donetsk region belongs to those regions of Ukraine, which were inhabited in the Paleolithic era. In the latest period there were mostly nomads here. They were the following: scythians, sarmats, Turkic tribes, Polovtsians and others. Scientists- regional ethnographers proved that events, which are represented in the „The poem about Ihor’s regiment”, took place on the territory of our land.

ХI century witnessed the settlement of the Ukrainians in the Steppe, but it was not long. After the marches of the Crimean khan Mengli-Girey on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine in ХI century, the Steppe inhabitants had to go back to more protected lands. That is why the Steppe Ukraine still is called the Wild field.

In the XVI century Ukrainian Cossacks and also peasants-fugitives from Right bank of Ukraine and Russia settle the boundaries of the Steppe and forest-steppe, on the banks of the river Sivers’kyj Donets’. One of the first settlements is Svjatogirs’k monastery. Its written reference belong to the 1942 year.

In the ХVII century it becomes exclusively advantageous for our region to extract rock salt. In 1676 near salt lakes the first city of Donbass, Tor (Slov’jans’k), is founded. In 1715 the first Donetsk Bakhmut and Tor saltern factories are founded on the basis of the state salterns.

Due to the massive migrations on Ukrainian borders the population of the Steppe Ukraine considerably increased during 50s – middle 80s years of XVII century. After the Bjelgrad agreement between Russia and Turkey the population influx to the South from different regions of Ukraine and also from neighboring countries considerably increased.

Coal was found in Donetsk region in 1721. Within the beginning of its industrial extraction starts active mastering of the region territory at the end of ХVIII century. After liquidation of Zaporizhska Sich, tsarist government obtained full control over the region mastering process. From 1776 began land mass distribution, including those mastered by Zaporizhia citizens and foundation of three types of settlements on them: state, military and privately owned. At this time appears Mariupol city on the territory of Zaporizhska Sich Kal’mius fortification.

At the beginning of the ХIХ century appear the first large factories, geological investigations of Donbass are carried out, appear new cities and trade is developing.

Industrial development needs reforms of educational system, organization and professional education of the workers. At this time appear special mining educational institutions. Spiritual life, literary and poetic creativity arise.

At the beginning of the ХIХ century appear medical establishments at large enterprises and army units. By Svyatogirs’k monastery hospital is opened, health resort on salt lakes near Slov’yans’k is created.

Second half of the ХIХ century, as serfage was liquidated and capitalist system was developed, witnessed high-speed modernization of the Donbass industrial production, railway building, metallurgical and metal-working industry forming, new mines’ and plants’ opening. Region natural riches, cheep manpower, privileged government conditions create circumstances for foreign investors’ attraction, especially French-Belgian and English.

In 1869 English entrepreneur John Hyuz builds metallurgical works, widening of which and opening of Novorossiysk society mines resulted in creating Yuzivka village (Donetsk). It grows fast and turns into a large industrial center in Southern Russia.

Donetsk coal begins to be sold abroad through Mariupol seaport.

Educational system acquires new development: primary settlement, rural and factory city schools are opened, polygraphy and typography arise, the first public libraries appear in Bakhmut town. In 1899 there appears the first Donbas newspaper – „Mariupol reference paper” in Mariupol city.

In Donbas there were born, live and work bright literary personalities – V. Harshyn and M. Chernyavskyj; the star of a big landscape-painter A. Kuindzhy arises. Visiting Donetsk land, prominent figures of science, literature and art enrich Donbas culture and contribute to its further development.

In 1896 appears “Mertsalova Palm” – a unique blacksmith hand creation from “New Russian society of coal, iron and railed production” of Aleksey Mertsalov, who forged it especially for All-Russian exhibition in Nizhniy Novgorod. The Palm was denoted by higher reward on that exhibition. Now it is a symbol of Donetsk region.

Till ХХ century there was created powerful industrial potential that became basic for future development of Ukraine. The First World and National Wars resulted in hard times for economy of Ukraine. Entrepreneurs found the way out of this situation by uniting various enterprises into integrated plant-trusts. 20s witnessed formation of industrial country unions – “Donstal” and “Khimvuhillya” that were later united into Donetsk state stone coal trust “Donvuhillya”. At the beginning of ХХ century coke-chemical industry begins to develop in Donbass. There appear Horlivka, Makiyivka, Rutchenkovs’k, Yenakiyeve and Kramatorsk coke chemical plants.
In 1917 working village Yuzivka acquires the status of town. And in February 5, 1919, Ukrainian national council of Commissars passed the decree “About creating of Donetsk province”. In January, 1920, Lugansk city became the centre of Donetsk province. In August, 1920, the centre of the province became Bakhmut city. Donetsk province was divided into 8 povits (districts) and 299 volosts (settlements).

In March, 1923, the government of Ukraine adopted new system of administrative-territorial Republic division. The biggest administrative units remained provinces, and povits and volosts were substituted for vicinities and districts. According to decree of All-Ukrainian central electoral committee, starting from March 7, 1923, “About administrative-territorial Donetsk province division” there were created 7 vicinities. In June, 1925, Donetsk province was liquidated, and five vicinities were created on its territory: Artemivs’k, Lugansk, Mariupol, Starobels’k and Stalins’k.

In order to further improve administrative-territorial Republic division of All-Ukrainian central electoral committee and Ukrainian National council of Commissars, on September 2, 1930, adopted decree “About liquidation of vicinities and creating two-stage controlling system”. The territory of Donbass was divided into 12 town councils and 23 districts that directly were submitted to centre. Such a division lasted till 1932 and did not approve itself as it hardened the process of territory management. That is why in February, 1932, there were created the first seven regions in Ukraine. A little bit later, in July this year, Donetsk region was created. It included 17 administrative-territorial units of Donbass: Artemivs’k, Voroshylov, Horlivka, Kadiyevs’k, Konstantynivka, Kramators’k, Krasnolutsk, Lugansk, Makiyivka, Mariupol, Rykiv, Stalinsk city councils and districts – Hrishyns’k, Lisichans’k, Rovenkivs’k, Sorokyns’k and Chystyakivs’k. 13 districts were included into Donetsk region from Kharkiv region: Bilovods’k, Bilolutsk, Verkhnye-Teplovs’k, Lymans’k, Markivs’k, Melovs’k, New-Aidars’k, New-Pskovs’k, Rubezhans’k, Svatovs’k, Slovyans’k, Starobels’k and Troyitsk (Pokrovs’k). 5 districts were taken from Dnipropetrovs’k region: Bilshe-Yanisols’k, Volnovakha, Staro-Karans’k, Staro-Kermenchyns’k and Staro-Mykolayivs’k (Volodars’k). The region centre was primarily determined Artemivs’k city, but already on July 16, 1932, Stalino city became the centre.

According to Order of USSR Supreme Rada Presidium from June 3, 1938, Donetsk region was divided into Stalins’k and Voroshylovgrads’k. Stalins’k region included only 10 cities: Stalino, Artemivs’k, Horlivka, Konstantynivka, Kramators’k, Makiyivka, Mariupol, Ordzhonikidze, Slovyans’k, Chystyakovo, 4 town villages: Debaltseve, Druzhkivka, Krasnoarmiys’k, Mykytivka; 22 villge districts: Abdiyivka, Oleksandrivs’k, Amvrosiyivs’k, Andriyivs’k, Bilsho-Yanisols’k, Budyonivs’k, Volnovakha, Volodars’k, Dzerzhyns’k, Dobropillya, Chervonoarmiys’k, Krasnolymans’k, Manhushs’k, Petro-Mar’yins’k, Olhins’k, Selydivs’k, Snizhne, Starobeshevo, Staro-Karans’k, Staro-Kermenchyks’k, Telmanovo and Khartsyz’k.
Stalino region territory was 25.4 thousands square kilometers. Geographical map of our region has been constantly changing and improving. Large cities of the region – Stalino, Макіївка, Horlivka were divided into districts during prewar years: Stalino city regional division was made in 1937, Makiyivka city – 1938, Mariupol city – 1939, Horlivka city – 1941.
During the Large National War the region territory was temporarily occupied by fascists and their allies from October, 1941, till September, 1943.

Postwar years witnessed the growth of working villages that turned into towns around industrial enterprises. Fiftieths witnessed the modification of settlements into towns: Dobropillya, Shakhtars’k, Dokuchayevs’k, Avdiyivka, Komsomols’ke, Kurakhove and Selydove. In 1965 the region already included 19 cities: Donetsk, Artemivs’k, Horlivka, Debaltseve, Dzerzhyns’k, Dobropillya, Druzhkivka, Yenakiyeve, Zhdanov, Konstantynivka, Kramators’k, Krasnoarmiys’k, Makiyivka, Selydove, Slovyans’k, Snizhne, Khartsyz’k, Torez, Shakhtars’k.

During next years to cities belonged: in 1976 Yasynuvata, in 1979 – Krasnyj Luman, in 1987 – Kirovs’ke, in 1990 – Avdiyivka, in 1991 – Vuhledar, in 1992 – Zhdanivka, Dokuchayevs’k, Novohrodivka. In November, 1961, Stalino region became Donetsk region, Stalino city – Donetsk city. All geographical names connected with Stalin’s name disappeared. During Khrushchev reforms there was made reorganization of soviet authorities for production characteristics. In December, 1962, there were created region industrial and village deputies’ Councils of workers and village districts were increased. Instead of existing 21 districts were created only 9, among which the region territory was divided: Amvrosiyivs’k, Artemivs’k, Velukonovoselkivs’k, Volnovakha, Volodars’k, Krasnoarmiys’k, Mar’yinka, Novoazovs’k and Slovyans’k.

Such an increase of districts did not approved itself and already in 1963 there was created Starobeshevo district, and starting from January, 1965, village districts were divided into smaller ones and created 15 districts: Oleksandrivs’k, Amvrosiyivs’k, Artemivs’k, Velukonovoselkivs’k, Volnovakha, Volodars’k, Konstantynivka, Krasnoarmiys’k, Mar’yinka, Novoazovs’k, Slovyans’k, Shakhtars’k and Yasynuvata. In January, 1966, there were 3 districts created jet – Dobropillya, Pershotravnevyj and Telmanovo.  On January 1, 2003, in the region were 26 cities: Avdiyivka, Artemivs’k, Horlivka, Debaltseve, Dzerzhyns’k, Dobropillya, Dokuchayevs’k, Donetsk, Druzhkivka, Yenakiyeve, Zhdanivka, Kirovs’ke, Konstantynivka, Kramators’k, Krasnoarmiys’k, Krasnyj Lyman, Makiyivka, Mariupol, Novogrodivka, Selydove, Slovyans’k, Snizhne, Torez, Khartsyz’k, Shakhtars’k, Yasynuvata and 18 districts: Oleksandrivs’k, Amvrosiyivs’k, Artemivs’k, Velukonovoselkivs’k, Volnovakha, Volodars’k, Dobropillya, Konstantynivka, Krasnoarmiys’k, Krasnolymans’k, Mar’yinka, Novoazovs’k, Pershotravnevyj, Slovyans’k, Starobeshevo, Telmanovo, Shakhtars’k and Yasynuvata.

Donetsk region is a large industrial centre. Leading branches of heavy industry have a wide development. They are the following: coal, ferrous metallurgy (industrial complex “Azovstal’”, Donetsk, Yenakiyeve, Makiyivka and other metallurgical works), nonferrous metallurgy, chemical industry, heavy machinery construction and production of building materials. Food and light industries are also developed. Rock salt is extracted (Artemivs’k and Slovyans’k fields.). On the region territory were built Vuhlehors’k, Slovyans’k, Starobeshevo, Kurakhivs’k, Zuyeve and Myronivka hydroelectric power stations.  During years of Ukrainian Independence Donetsk region not only saved the position in industrial development of the country, but also became the centre of cultural and social and political life.

Now administrative-territorial structure of the region includes 28 cities and 17 districts, 134 settlements, 1122 villages. The largest cities are: region centre – Donetsk, Makiyivka, Mariupol, Horlivka, and Kramators’k.
2007 year will be denoted in the history of Donetsk region as the year of 75th anniversary. Celebration of 75th anniversary will be held according to the program «Possibility is proved by deed». The program foresees implementation of several actions in all spheres of socially-political and socially-economical region life, realization of which will give the possibility to increase the prestige of Donetsk region.