The oblast originated in 1938 as Voroshylovhrad (Russian: Voroshilovgrad) Oblast after the Donetsk Oblast was split between Voroshylovhrad and Stalino (today Donetsk Oblast) oblasts.
Oblastet skapades 1938 som Vorosjylovhrad (Vorosjilovgrad) oblast, efter att Donetsk oblast delats upp mellan Vorosjylovhrad och Stalino (idag Donetsk) oblast.