It was approved at the meeting of the regional council on August 17, 1999. As the author recalls, one of the conditions of the competition was to maintain a visual resemblance to the already existing symbols of Donetsk. In 2006, the flag was criticized by Igor Sychevuk for its pro-Ukrainian appearance.
The flag was approved at a regional council meeting on August 17, 1999, with the condition that it should resemble existing Donetsk symbols.  In 2006, Igor Sychevuk criticized the flag for appearing pro-Ukrainian.