Luhansk (Ukrainian: Луганськ, Luhans'k; Russian: Луга́нск, Lugansk) is a city in southeastern Ukraine. Administratively - a capital city of Luhans'ka oblast' (region), historically - part of Donbas region. Population 445,900 (2004).
Located in the Donets Basin, Luhansk is an important industrial center of the Eastern Europe, particularly a home to the major locomotive-building company. Luhansk is twinned with Cardiff, Wales.
A metal factory was founded here in 1795, the beginnings of an industry that still thrives there today. Luhansk achieved the status of city in 1882.
In World War II, Luhansk was captured and held by Germany from 1941-1943. It was known as Voroshilovgrad from 1935 to 1958, and from 1970 to 1990, after Soviet military commander and politician Kliment Voroshilov.
External link
