Three names of one city: how Stalino became Donetsk.
On November 9, 1961, the city of Stalino received the name Donetsk, and Stalin Region became Donetsk. The corresponding decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR changed the top names of two large administrative units at once.
In 2026, this event will celebrate its 65th anniversary.
At first glance, it was a simple change of signs. But behind this decision there was a big story: the industrial center that grew up around the metal plant was associated by name with the Soviet leader for almost four decades.
The new name no longer referred to a political figure, but to the coal basin and the geography of the entire region. A new text by Alexander Mednikov deals with this.