In 1770, between the rivers and Samara Wolf retired military sergeant Matthew founded the settlement Khizhnyak-Zimovniki. In September 1775, overtaking its possessions, the governor Vasily Chertkov wrapped in it. Assessing the benefits of location Zimovniki - at the intersection Shlyakhov from north to south (from Kharkov in the Crimea), and from west to east (from the fortress in Belevsky Bakhmut) - Governor ordered the state to provide settlement rank military settlement. They named her first Matviivka (in honor of the founder), and later - Lugansk (!). Sloboda quickly grew and was later renamed in Pavlograd.