Alchevsk Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Alchevsk

Алчевськ (Ukrainian)

City

Flag	Coat of arms

Alchevsk

Location in Luhansk Oblast

Alchevsk

Location in Ukraine

Country

Ukraine

Oblast

Luhansk Oblast

Raion

Alchevsk Raion

Hromada

Alchevsk urban hromada

Founded

1895

City Status

1932

Area

• Total

55 km² (21 sq mi)

Elevation

240 m (790 ft)

Population

(2022)

• Total

106,062 (2022 estimate)

94200-94299

(+380) 6442

BB / 13

Website

http://alchevsk.su/

Alchevsk (Ukrainian: Алчевськ; Russian: Алчевск) is a city in eastern Ukraine. It is located in the Donbas region, which is known for its industry. Alchevsk is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Luhansk, the main city of the Luhansk Oblast area.

Alchevsk Iron and Steel Works

Alchevsk is a very important industrial city in the Donbas. Its factories produce a lot of goods, making up about a quarter of all production in the Luhansk Oblast. The city's economy mainly relies on big companies like "Alchevsk Iron & Steel Works" and "Alchevsk Coke-Chemical Plant."

The city has had different names over time. From 1931 to 1961, it was called Voroshylovsk. Then, until 1991, it was known as Kommunarsk. In early 2014, Alchevsk came under the control of pro-Russian separatists. Later, in 2022, Russia claimed the city as its own territory.

History of Alchevsk
Economy and Industry
People of Alchevsk
Education in Alchevsk
Sports in Alchevsk
Twin Towns and Sister Cities
Notable People from Alchevsk
Images for kids
See also

History of Alchevsk

St. Nicholas Cathedral

Alchevsk was founded in 1895. It started as a settlement around a new iron factory. The city was named after Oleksiy Alchevsky, a Russian businessman who helped start the factory.

A local newspaper began publishing in the city in 1930.

Name Changes Over Time

In 1931, the city's name was changed to Voroshylovsk. This was to honor Kliment Voroshilov, a famous Soviet military leader.

After World War II, the city's name was changed again in 1961 to Kommunarsk. This happened as the Soviet government moved away from honoring individual leaders so much. In 1991, after the Soviet Union broke apart, the city's original name, Alchevsk, was given back.

The 2006 Winter Crisis

In January 2006, Alchevsk faced a very serious problem with its heating system. It was extremely cold, nearly -30°C (-22°F). An underground pipe broke, which cut off the main boiler from the city's heating system.

Because of the cold, water in the pipes froze and burst even more pipes. Many homes could not get heat, even after the main boiler was fixed. People tried to use electric heaters, but this overloaded the power grid, causing electricity blackouts. Some even used gas ovens for heat, which was dangerous.

The city also lost its running water when the sewer system froze. This was a big emergency for the Ukrainian government. Schoolchildren were temporarily moved to warmer areas. Workers came to help fix the pipes and homes. By mid-February, most immediate repairs were done. Later, the president of Ukraine planned to build more heating stations to prevent such a crisis from happening again.

Recent Events: War in Donbas

Starting in April 2014, pro-Russian separatists took control of several towns in the Luhansk Oblast, including Alchevsk. The city became part of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic.

In 2020, Ukraine changed its administrative areas. Alchevsk was made the main city of the new Alchevsk Raion. However, the pro-Russian authorities in control of the city do not recognize this change. In 2022, after Russia claimed to annex the region, it also claimed Alchevsk as its territory.

Economy and Industry

The main industries in Alchevsk are metal production and chemical manufacturing. The city also has companies that make electrical machines, clothes, and food products. There are currently 17 industrial businesses operating in Alchevsk.

People of Alchevsk

As of the 2001 Ukrainian Census, about 51.57% of the people in Alchevsk were Ukrainians, and 44.69% were Russians. Most people in the city, about 83.6%, speak Russian as their first language. About 15.3% speak Ukrainian.

Education in Alchevsk

Alchevsk is home to the Donbas State Technical University. This university was founded in 1957 and offers many different study programs.

Sports in Alchevsk

Stal Stadium

The city has a football (soccer) team called FC Stal Alchevsk. They play in the Ukrainian First League, which is the second highest level of football in Ukraine.