Yenakiieve, Industrial city in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
Yenakiieve sits along the Krynka River in eastern Ukraine, spreading over 39 square kilometers about 60 kilometers from the regional capital Donetsk. The iron and steel plant remains one of the oldest metal production facilities in the country and serves as a central feature of local industry.
The settlement began in 1783 with the opening of the Sofiyevsky coal mine and received town status in 1925. During Soviet times, the place carried different names including Rykovo and Ordzhonikidze before reverting to its original designation in the 1990s.
The name derives from an earlier spelling that changed multiple times during the Soviet era before the town returned to its original form. Residents often refer to the steel plant when they talk about their town, as it has shaped the economy and daily life for generations.
The town sits along the regional road connecting Donetsk with smaller towns to the east, so travelers should check security warnings for the region when planning. Most public facilities are in the center, where the local museum can also be found.
In 1979, a controlled nuclear explosion took place at the Yuny Communar mine for industrial purposes, representing a rare instance of atomic technology applied to mining. The method was meant to loosen rock and facilitate extraction but was not repeated in later years.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
