We haven't been able to take payment
You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Update payment details
Act now to keep your subscription
We've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Update payment details
Your subscription is due to terminate
We've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account, otherwise your subscription will terminate.
Update payment details

Accessibility Links

Skip to content
The Times & The Sunday Times
The Times & The Sunday Times
  • Subscribe
Subscribe

Newport’s ‘twin’

The Nato summit should take note of the fascinating connection between the Welsh town and Donetsk
The Times
The Times

Sir, As Nato leaders meet in Newport, with Ukraine high on the agenda, will they be aware of Newport’s links to Donetsk? A Welshman, John Hughes, set up a complex iron foundry in Newport in the 1850s before being invited to establish a similar operation for the Russians. Hughes sailed with Welsh workers in 1870, found a coalfield, set up an iron foundry in the Steppe, and established a town, which was named Hughesovka after him. It was later renamed Donetsk, but a statue of Hughes still stands in the town, and the football side Shakhtar Donetsk also has similar shirts to those worn by Newport County AFC.

Rob Evans

Westborough, Lincs