“Donetsk (former names: Yuzovka, Staline, Stalino) is a large city in eastern Ukraine on the Kalmius river. Administratively, it is a center of Donetsk Oblast, while historically, it is the unofficial capital and largest city of the economic and cultural Donets Basin (Donbass) region. 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 (Юзовка) in recognition of his role in its. In 1924 at the plenum Yuzovsky executive committee had decided to rename the town from Yuzovka to Stalin (Сталiн). In 1929-1931 the town was renamed in Stalino (Сталино). In 1932 the city became the center of Donetsk region.

The Nazi invasion during World War II almost completely destroyed the city, which was mostly rebuilt on a large scale at the war's end. Although Stalino means Steel in Russian, during Nikita Khrushchev's second wave of destalinization in November 1961 the city was renamed Donetsh, after the Seversky Donets river, a tributary of the Don[2] in order to distance it from the former leader Joseph Stalin.

The main part of Donetsk, this large avenue is the place to start for any tourist trip around the city. You'll see an interesting mix of new and old architecture together with small parks, stylish hotels, shopping centers and fine restaurants. The historical sites are the most amazing here and include Lenin Square, the Opera & Ballet Theater, Monument to Coalminers, and Donetsk Drama Theater.

The European Football Championship will take place in Donetsk 2012. 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”. – Wikipedia