MOSCOW, April 24 (RIA Novosti) – Donetsk, an industrial city and the administrative center of Ukraine’s Donetsk Region, has become the center of pro-federalization rallies in the country after locals refused to accept the legitimacy of the coup-imposed regime that came to power in Kiev in February.
The history of Donetsk dates to 1869, when it was named Yuzovka, in recognition of its founder John Hughes, a Welsh businessman who came to the region following the discovery of a coal deposit. Hughes constructed a steel plant in the city, thus paving the way for further industrial development.
In 1924 the city was renamed Stalino, and in 1932 it became the capital of Donetsk Region. In November 1961, the city was renamed to Donetsk.
Currently Donetsk ranks as the fifth largest city in Ukraine, with a population of over one million citizens. It is a major industrial, scientific and cultural center, with a well-developed transportation infrastructure.
The city is an important center of heavy industry. There are 2 industrial organizations in Donetsk with a total output of over 50 billion hryvnias per year ($4.4 billion).
In 2012, Forbes named Donetsk the best city for doing business in Ukraine.
Donetsk, together with several other cities in southeastern Ukraine, has been swept by pro-federalization rallies since March. Demonstrators refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government that came into power following the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovich in February and are urging interim authorities to hold referendums similar to the one held in Crimea last month, which led to the republic's secession.
On April 7, protesters who seized the municipal government building declared the formation of an independent People's Republic of Donetsk.
