News

Cardiff politicians in Kyiv, remembering the Welsh founded Donetsk – for talks

Published

4 years ago

February 19, 2022

THE CITY founded by the Welsh as Hughesovka, known now as Donetsk, is at the centre of the conflict between the Ukraine and Russia, and the conflict which started in 2014 now looks likely to escalate into a larger war.

In 1869, one hundred people from South Wales, led by John Hughes from Merthyr Tydfil founded a city now home to a million people. This is part of the reason that a delegation arrived in Ukraine today (Feb 19), led by two members of the Welsh Senedd: Mick Antoniw MS and Adam Price MS, leader of Plaid Cymru.

The aim of the delegation, which includes prominent UK trade union leaders, academics and journalists, is to do what no politicians visiting the country have so far done: to express direct, cross-border solidarity from the UK working class to the Ukrainian working class.

Pro-Russian militants on the roof of the international airport Donetsk in 2014. (Photo: Alexander Khudoteply)

With the threat of war rising, there is a concerted campaign of disinformation against Ukraine in the West, some of it aimed at influencing the progressive movements who have traditionally, and correctly, opposed Western military adventures in the Middle East.

To separate truth from propaganda, the delegation will hear evidence from workers from the Donbas in the East of Ukraine, independent trade unions and progressive civil society groups in Kyiv, as well as MPs, academics and territorial defence units training to resist aggression.

The delegation also includes ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan, NUM general secretary Chris Kitchen, former Labour MEP Julie Ward, journalist Paul Mason, and Greenwich University economist Yuliya Yurchenko.

Mr Antoniw said: “In too many of the discussions about the situation in Ukraine it is the people themselves who are being bypassed. We want to listen to what the Ukrainian people say and to show our solidarity with them. We stand by them and their right to determine their own future and to defend their country from Russian aggression and imperialism.”

Adam Price said: “The more the Ukrainian people are threatened by Russian aggression and imperialism the more urgent it becomes for socialists, democrats and internationalists to stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with them – in defence of their right to national self determination and in defiance of Putin’s warmongering.
“They shall not pass ! вони не пройдуть !”

Chaotic scenes after an explosion in the city, 2015 (Photo :AP)

After President Yanukovych fled Ukraine to seek asylum in Russia, Russian-backed defenders took over the Oblast State Administration, the main government building, in the city. According to Russian reports, the police did not offer resistance.

On 7 April 2014, pro-Russian activists announced that they had seized control of Donetsk and declared the “Donetsk People’s Republic”

But what is the Welsh link, and why was the city founded. And why are Welsh politicians now heading to the Ukraine?

THE FOUNDING OF A CITY

In 1868, the Millwall Iron Works Company received an order from the Imperial Russian Government for the plating of a naval fortress being built at Kronstadt on the Baltic Sea

Hughes accepted a concession from the Imperial Russian Government to develop metal works in the region, and in 1869 acquired a piece of land to the north of the Azov Sea from Russian statesman Sergei Kochubey

He formed the ‘New Russia Company Ltd.’ to raise capital, and in the summer of 1870, at the age of 55, he moved to Russia. He sailed with eight ships, with not only all the equipment necessary to establish a metal works, but also much of the skilled labour; a group of about a hundred ironworkers and miners mostly from South Wales

He immediately started to build metal works close to the river Kalmius, at a site near the village of Alexandrovka. The state-of-the-art works had eight blast furnaces and was capable of a full production cycle, with the first pig iron cast in 1872. During the 1870s, collieries and iron ore mines were sunk, and brickworks and other facilities were established to make the isolated works a self-sufficient industrial complex. He further built a railway line-producing factory. All of Hughes’ facilities were held under the ‘Novorussian society for coal, iron and rails production.’

Donetsk (Hughesovka) ironworks in the Ukraine, pictured in 1888 (Image File)

The Hughes factory gave its name to the settlement which grew in its shadow, and the town of Hughesovka (Yuzovka) grew rapidly. Hughes personally provided a hospital, schools, bath houses, tea rooms, a fire brigade and an Anglican church dedicated to the patron saints St George and St David. The land around the metalworks quickly grew to become an industrial and cultural centre in the region; the population of the city founded by Hughes now exceeds one million. Hughes died on 17 June 1889.

By the end of the nineteenth century, the works was the largest in the Russian Empire, producing 74% of Russian iron in 1913. A period of relative decline in the early years of the twentieth century was followed by expansion during World War I. Many of the men who accompanied John Hughes settled in Hughesovka and brought their wives and families. Over the years, although a Russian workforce was trained by the company, skilled workers from the United Kingdom continued to be employed, and many technical, engineering and managerial positions were filled by British immigrants; who were overwhelmingly Welsh. A thriving expatriate community was established, living in good quality company housing, and provided with an English school and an Anglican church. Despite the cold winters, hot summers and occasional cholera epidemics, some families remained in Hughesovka for many years.

The Bolshevik revolution of 1917 ended the Hughes family’s connection to the works. The Hughes brothers and almost all their foreign employees returned to Britain. The works were nationalised by the Bolsheviks in 1919. The town of Hughesovka was renamed “Stalino” in 1924, and then the present name “Donetsk” in 1961. The works survived and prospered despite regime and socio-economic change, and Donetsk remains a major metallurgical industries centre today.

In March 2014, following the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, a humorous campaign advocated that Donetsk join the United Kingdom because of the city’s connection to Hughes. Shortly afterwards, the Ukrainian government lost control of Donetsk to militants of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic, who declared the city to be independent of Ukraine and advocated integration with Russia.

DID YOU KNOW

In 2014, an instrumental song on the Manic Street Preachers’ album Futurology paid homage to John Hughes, referring to Donetsk by its former name Hughesovka

Community

Fresh concern after new animal shootings in Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RSPCA says police are also investigating after further reports in same town

FRESH concerns have been raised in Milford Haven following reports of new animal shootings in the town.

The RSPCA has confirmed it is aware of further incidents and said Dyfed-Powys Police are also believed to be involved.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This is concerning and our hearts go out to anyone who has been affected by these incidents.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01751732 or please contact the police who are also investigating.”

The latest reports follow earlier incidents in the Hakin area, where cats and wildlife were targeted with an air gun.

Earlier this month, the RSPCA issued an appeal after a cat died after being shot for a second time. A pigeon was also put to sleep after being found with an airgun pellet injury, while several cats had previously been shot in the area.

The charity said anyone caught deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal can face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine under the Animal Welfare Act.

Deliberately injuring or killing wild birds is also a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The RSPCA added that cats and wildlife are particularly vulnerable because they are often outside with nobody to protect them.

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01751732, or contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Farming

Anna Nicholl MS calls on Welsh Government to value farmers as equal partners

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CEREDIGION Penfro MS Anna Nicholl has welcomed the Welsh Government’s broad ambition to strengthen rural resilience and sustainability, but has warned that farmers and local communities must be involved in shaping the detail if policies are to work in practice.

Speaking during a Senedd debate on June 23, Ms Nicholl referred to a recent visit to a farm in Pembrokeshire with the Farmers’ Union of Wales, where she heard first-hand about the significant challenges facing the sector.

She highlighted examples of farms working with Farming Connect to reduce emissions, boost biodiversity and increase profits at the same time.

Ms Nicholl welcomed some of the Government’s stated priorities, including tackling bovine TB, reforming nitrate vulnerable zone regulations and cutting red tape, saying they had given the industry “fresh hope”.

But she pressed ministers on how they would work with farmers when drawing up the detail of future policy.

In response, the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability said the Sustainable Farming Scheme was being refined following feedback, with an emphasis on working with the sector, making the system easier to navigate and offering greater long-term certainty.

Ms Nicholl said: “It’s clear that change is needed to respond to the climate and nature crises, but that change must happen with our rural communities, not against them.

“It’s not just farming that matters here – it’s about keeping our food system strong, supporting local businesses, and securing jobs in our rural areas.

“Farmers in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire want to see a system that is fair, simple to navigate, and provides real financial security, while also tackling the nature and climate crisis.

“It’s positive to hear that the Government is talking about less bureaucracy and more partnership. I look forward to seeing that happen in practice now.”

Photo caption: Anna Nicholl MS, Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro, on a farm visit in north Pembrokeshire arranged by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Local Government

Tenby Spectacular row continues as organisers say key question remains unanswered

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Round Table says legal clarity over pedestrian access is still holding up event plan

TENBY ROUND TABLE has welcomed Pembrokeshire County Council’s statement that it wants the Tenby Summer Spectacular to go ahead, but says one key legal question remains unanswered.

The council said on Wednesday (Jun 24) that it had not requested or directed that the event should be cancelled, and that it wanted to see the Spectacular proceed if safety requirements could be met.

But organisers say they are still waiting for a detailed response from council officers on how pedestrian access to the licensed event area at Tenby Harbour can be lawfully managed.

Tenby Round Table said volunteer members were “working tirelessly” to prepare the information needed to finalise the Event Management Plan.

However, it said the final version could not be completed until the question of lawful pedestrian access had been answered by Pembrokeshire County Council.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said: “We welcome Cllr Miller’s statement. We obviously share his desire to see these events go ahead, they are important for the community and for the charities that benefit from them.

“We would like to clarify the position of where we are in the process however. Volunteer members of Tenby Round Table are working tirelessly to prepare all the information required to finalise our Event Management Plan.

“The reason we cannot produce the final version of this is the one outstanding question, how pedestrian access to the licensed event area will be lawfully managed, which only PCC can answer.

“A detailed response to this, backed up with a legal framework, is what we have been waiting for nine months for from PCC.”

Round Table said its most recent email on the issue was sent on Monday and had not yet been acknowledged or answered.

It said that email was itself chasing a response which had already passed an extended deadline.

The statement added: “This response is the single most important element currently holding up our EMP submission and our ability to confirm the events can proceed.

“We would very much welcome Cllr Miller’s and Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall’s encouragement of the relevant PCC officers to respond by the deadline set, as to date this press release has been our only communication from PCC since our announcement.”

Earlier, Pembrokeshire County Council Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said the authority had supported the Spectacular for nearly 15 years and had not sought its cancellation.

He said: “The Spectacular is a much-loved event with significant number of attendees. As a result, we have an important duty to make sure the event can take place safely to address the concerns formally raised by the Responsible Authorities under the Licensing Act, which include the blue light services.

“Tenby Harbour is a working harbour and a key community asset – and just as every year this event needs to be licensed, and the organisers need to provide important information on how they plan to safely manage the event.”

Cllr Miller added: “As a council, we very much want this event to go ahead but we have to make sure the event is safe for the public, with the right safety measures in place.

“Once the organisers provide the required information, the Licensing Sub-Committee, currently scheduled for July, will consider the event application, in exactly the same way they consider the large number of other events which occur across Pembrokeshire each year.”

Local member Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall also said she wanted to see the Spectaculars go ahead.

She said: “It is important for locals and visitors alike to celebrate Tenby, have fun and raise money for worthy causes.

“I am really encouraged from meetings that I have had with senior officers that everyone is ready to do all that they can to enable these events to go ahead.”

The future of this year’s Tenby Spectaculars now appears to rest on whether the outstanding legal question over pedestrian access can be resolved in time for organisers to submit their final Event Management Plan ahead of the Licensing Sub-Committee hearing expected in July.