Donetsk (Russian: Донецк, IPA: [dɐˈnʲetsk] , until 1955 Gundorovka, Russian: Гундоровка, Ukrainian: Гундорівка) is a town in Rostov Oblast, Russia, located on the Seversky Donets River on the border with Ukraine. By road it is located 388 kilometres (241 mi) west of Volgograd. Population: 50,098 (2010 census); 48,040 (2002 census); 48,673 (1989 Soviet census); 38,000 (1970).
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History
The settlement was founded in 1681 by the Don Cossacks. It was controlled by various factions between 1918 and 1920, i.e. the Don Soviet Republic, the Don Republic, Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine. From 1920 to 1924, it was administratively part of the Donets Governorate of Ukraine. During World War II, it was occupied by Germany in 1942–1943.
It was known as Gundorovka until 1955. A museum called the Donetsk Museum of History and Ethnography was built in the city in 2005.
Administrative status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as Donetsk Urban Okrug—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, this administrative unit also has urban okrug status.