Luhansk

Luhansk, Russian Lugansk, formerly (1935–58, 1970–89) Voroshilovgrad, Ukrainian Voroshylovhrad, city, eastern Ukraine. It lies along the Luhan (Lugan) River at the latter’s confluence with the Vilkhivka (Olkhovaya) River. The city dates from 1795, when a state iron foundry was established there to supply ordnance to the Black Sea fleet. Luhansk grew with the development of the Donets Coal Basin in the 1890s. The major branch of industry has been heavy engineering, dominated by a huge diesel-locomotive works. Steel tubes, coal-mining equipment, spare parts for motor vehicles, and precision instruments also have been made; coal has been mined in the city. There also have been food and timberworking industries. Luhansk has teacher-training, medical, agricultural, and machine-building institutes. Pop. (2001) 463,097; (2005 est.) 452,789.