Donetsk People's Republic

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Donetsk People's Republic

  • Донецкая Народная Республика (Russian)
    Donetskaya Narodnaya Respublika
Flag of the Federal State of Novorossiya#Donetsk People's Republic
Flag
Coat of arms of the Federal State of Novorossiya#Donetsk People's Republic
Coat of arms
Anthem: "Republic, be glorious" ("Славься республика")[1]
Declared (light green and dark green) and controlled territory (dark green) of the DPR
Declared (light green and dark green) and controlled territory (dark green) of the DPR
Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine
Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine
StatusUnrecognized quasi-state. Recognized by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/262 as part of Ukraine
Capital
and largest city
Donetsk
Official languagesRussian[2]
GovernmentUnitary constitutional republic
• Head
Denis Pushilin[3]
• Prime Minister
Vladimir Pashkov[4][5][6]
• Chairman of the People's Council
Volodymyr Bidyovka
LegislaturePeople's Council
Independence from Ukraine
• Established
7 April 2014
• Declared
12 May 2014[7]
Area
• Total
7,853 km2 (3,032 sq mi)
Population
• 2018 estimate
2,302,444[8] (not ranked)
CurrencyRussian ruble[citation needed]
Time zoneUTC+3 (Moscow Time[9])
Driving sideright

The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR or DNR; Russian: Донецкая Народная Республика, tr. Donetskaya Narodnaya Respublika, IPA: [dɐˈnʲetskəjə nɐˈrodnəjə rʲɪˈspublʲɪkə]) is a self-proclaimed quasi-state in the eastern Ukrainian oblast of Donetsk. Only the partially-recognised South Ossetia and the Russian-backed quasi-state Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) recognise the quasi-state. The capital city and largest city within the DPR is Donetsk. Denis Pushilin has served as the DPR head of state since 2018.[10][11][need quotation to verify]

The DPR declared its independence from Ukraine in May 2014 after the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, alongside the LPR and the Republic of Crimea. An ongoing armed conflict between Ukraine and the DPR and LPR followed their declarations of independence. The LPR and DPR received assistance from Russia.[12][13] According to NATO and Ukraine, Russia had also provided military aid to the DPR rebels, a claim that Russia denies.[14] Ukraine regards both the DPR and the LPR as terrorist organizations,[15] although this designation is not supported by international bodies or governments (including the EU, US, and Russia).[16]

The February 2015 Minsk agreement (signed by the DPR, the LPR, Russia, the OSCE and Ukraine) aimed to stop the conflict and reintegrate rebel-held territory into Ukraine in exchange for more autonomy for the area,[17][18] but the agreement was never fully implemented.[19]

Since February 2017 Russia has recognised identity documents, diplomas, birth- and marriage-certificates, and vehicle registration plates issued by the DPR, and has said that it will continue to do so until a "political settlement of the situation" in separatist-controlled regions, based on the Minsk II agreement, is reached.[20][21] NATO, Ukrainian and Western military experts have claimed that regular Russian units have been aiding the DPR and LPR, which operate modern Russian tanks and artillery.[14] Russia denies this, but has stated that Russian volunteers are helping the DPR and LPR.[14]

Ukraine regards the Donetsk People's Republic - along with the Luhansk People's Republic, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and Sevastopol - as one of four temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as a result of Russian military intervention.[22][23]

The DPR and the Ukrainian government estimate that around 1,870,000 people - over 50% of the total population of Donetsk Oblast - live in DPR-held regions. Although the rebels do not govern most of Donetsk Oblast in terms of area, only controlling 7,853 km2, they hold major cities such as Donetsk (the capital) and Horlivka.[24]

Geography and demographics[]

See also articles war in Donbas and Donbas

Territory in Donetsk Oblast under the control of the Donetsk People's Republic or the Luhansk People's Republic (in pink), as of 2015.

The DPR currently controls an area of about 7,853 km2 area, stretching from the town of Novoazovsk in the south to the city of Debaltseve in the north, but from April to July 2014 the unrecognised republic controlled most of Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast's 26,517 km2.

Much of the territory on the Azov Sea north to Sviatohirsk and Sloviansk near the border with Kharkiv Oblast was brought under the control of the Government of Ukraine in the early July 2014 post-ceasefire government offensive[25] and the area under the control of the rebels was mainly reduced to Donetsk city.[26] In an August 2014 pro-Russian counter-offensive,the Donetsk People's Republic, with the help of Russian troops and arms, reclaimed some of the lost territory.[25][27] In the February 2015 Battle of Debaltseve DPR with the help of LPR and Russia (Claimed by Ukraine) gained territory around and including the city of Debaltseve.[28] Meanwhile, the Azov battalion and the National Guard of Ukraine captured previously DNR controlled territory near Mariupol for the Ukrainian Government.[29] These battles were the last significant change of territory in the war in Donbas.[28]

In November 2014 over 50% of the total Donetsk oblast population, around 1,870,000 people, lived in separatist controlled territory.(according to a November 2014, separatist estimate, which is roughly in line with the estimate of the Ukrainian government)[24] Although the rebels do not have control of most of Donetsk Oblast, this number is relatively high since the DPR has been controlling major urban areas and cities such as Donetsk and Horlivka.[24] As of 17 June 2015, it is estimated that around half of the people living in separatist controlled territory are retired pensioners.[30]

In November 2019, the parliament of the DPR passed a law on state borders, whereby laid claim to entire Donetsk Oblast,[31] but also stipulated that "pending conflict resolution" the self-proclaimed polity's border will run along line of engagement instead.[32]

According to a 2001 census, ethnic Ukrainians make up 56.9% of the total population of Donbas as a whole with ethnic Russians making up the largest minority, making up 38.2% of the total population of Donbas.[33] Russian is the primary language in Donbas as 74.9% of the population of Donbas speaks Russian as their first language.[33] Many of the residents of Russian origin are located in urban centres, because of this Russian became the lingua franca of the region.

History[]

Ukrainian Riot Police guarding the entrance to the RSA building on 7 March 2014
Ukrainian military roadblocks in Donetsk oblast on 8 May 2014

Lugansk and Donetsk People's republics are located in the historical region of Donbas, which was added to Ukraine in 1922.[34] The majority of the population speaks Russian as their first language. Attempts by various Ukrainian governments to question the legitimacy of the Russian culture in Ukraine had since the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine often resulted in political conflict. In the Ukrainian national elections, a remarkably stable pattern had developed, where Donbas and the Western Ukrainian regions had voted for the opposite candidates since the presidential election in 1994. Viktor Yanukovych, a Donetsk native, had been elected as a president of Ukraine in 2010. Western Ukrainian dissatisfaction with the government can also be attributed to the Euromaidan Protests which began in November 2013.[35] President Yanukovych's overthrow in the 2014 Ukrainian revolution led to protests in Eastern Ukraine, which gradually escalated into an armed conflict between the newly formed Ukrainian government and the local armed militias.[36] The pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine was originally characterized by riots and protests which had eventually escalated into the storming of government offices.[37]

Foundations[]

Pro-Russian separatists occupying the Donetsk RSA building on 7 April 2014
Sloviansk city council under the control of heavily armed men on 14 April 2014

On Sunday, 6 April 2014, between 1,000 and 2,000[38] pro-Russian rebels attended a rally in Donetsk pushing for a Crimea-style referendum on independence from Ukraine[citation needed] and it was claimed by Ukrainian media that the proposed referendum has no status-quo option.[39] After which, 200 separatists[40] (according to Igor Dyomin, a spokesman for Donetsk local police, about 1,000[38]) stormed and took control of the first two floors of the building, breaking down doors and smashing windows. The administration headquarters were empty, with only guards inside, as government officials do not work there on Sundays.[citation needed] The separatists demanded that if an extraordinary session was not held by officials, announcing a referendum to join Russia, they would declare unilateral control by forming a "People's Mandate" at noon on 7 April, and dismiss all elected council members and MPs.[41][42][43] When the session was not held they held a vote within the RSA, Regional State Administration building, and were not elected to the positions they assumed.[44] According to the Russian ITAR-TASS the declaration was voted by some regional legislators; however, there are claims that neither the Donetsk city council nor district councils of the city delegated any representatives to the session.[45][46]

The political leadership initially consisted of Denis Pushilin, self-appointed as chairman of the government,[47][48] while Igor Kakidzyanov was named as the commander of the "People's Army".[49] Vyacheslav Ponomarev became known as the self-proclaimed mayor of the city of Sloviansk.[50] Ukrainian-born pro-Russian activist Pavel Gubarev,[51][52] an Anti-Maidan activist, a former member of the neo-Nazi Russian National Unity paramilitary group in 1999–2001 and former member of the left-wing populist Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine,[53][54][55][56] proclaimed himself the "People's Governor" of the Donetsk Region. He was arrested on charges of separatism and illegal seizure of power but released in a hostage swap.[57][58] Alexander Borodai, a Russian citizen claiming to be involved in the Russian annexation of Crimea, was appointed as Prime Minister. On 6 April, the group's leaders announced that a referendum, on whether Donetsk Oblast should "join the Russian Federation", would take place "no later than May 11th, 2014."[59] Additionally, the group's leaders appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to send Russian peacekeeping forces to the region.[59][60]

On the morning of 8 April, the 'Patriotic Forces of Donbas', a pro-Kyiv group that was formed on 15 March earlier that year by 13 pro-Kyiv NGOs, political parties and individuals,[61] unrelated to Donetsk Republic organisation who proclaimed independence and seized the council,[62] issued a statement on its Facebook page, "cancelling" the other group's declaration of independence, citing complaints from locals, a move that was generally interpreted by Ukrainian media as coming from the pro-Russian party.[63][64][65] Their announcement stated that they would quash the potential state's establishment, cancel the referendum, and, on their part, stated that the declaration is illegal[63] and some rebels reportedly gave up weapons as well.[65] Despite this, the Donetsk Republic organisation continued to occupy the RSA and declared themselves the legitimate authority, and upheld all previous calls for a referendum and the release of their leader Pavel Gubarev.[66][a] In the afternoon of 8 April, about a thousand people rallied in front of the RSA listening to speeches about the Donetsk People's Republic and to Soviet and Russian music.[67]

People carrying the DPR flag in Donetsk, 9 May 2014

According to an article from the Kyiv Post on 10 April, most of the protesters were aged 50 or older, while inside the RSA building, many of the occupiers are younger but from other cities such as Mariupol, Kherson and Mykolaiv. The occupiers included both men and women.[39] According to "Novosti Donbassa", unstated number of Russian citizens, including one leader of a far-right militant group, had also taken part in the events.[68] The OSCE reported that all the main institutions of the city observed by the Monitoring Team seemed to be working normally as of 16 April.[69] On 22 April, separatists agreed to release the session hall of the building along with two floors to state officials.[70] The 9th and 10th floors were later released on 24 April.[71]

On the second day of the Republic, organisers decided to pour all of their alcohol out and announce a prohibition law after issues arose due to excessive drinking in the building.[72]

A line to enter a polling place in Donetsk city, 11 May

On 30 April, Donetsk Republic chairman Pushilin flew to Moscow and held a press conference.[73]

On 7 May, Russian president Vladimir Putin publicly asked pro-Russian separatists to postpone the proposed referendum in order to create the necessary conditions for dialogue. Despite Putin's comments, pro-Russia militants calling themselves the Donetsk People's Republic said they would still carry out the referendum.[74] The same day, Ukraine's security service (SBU) released an alleged audio recording of a phone call between a Donetsk separatist leader and leader of one of the splinter groups of former Russian National Unity Alexander Barkashov.[75] Barkashov's following is believed to be in sharp decline since the beginning of the 2000s (decade).[76]

In the call, the voice said to be Barkashov insists on falsifying the results of the referendum, that he had communicated with Putin, and that it cannot be postponed.[77] Yuri Vendik of the BBC noted[75] that a 5 May post on Barkashov's social media page recounted a phone call from "our brothers and comrades-in-arms in Donetsk" that sounds exactly like the SBU intercept. Barkashov later confirmed that he was in Donetsk during the alleged taping, and has stated that his group was organising volunteer troops to fight "the vicious Kiev junta."[78] SBU stated that this tape is a definitive proof of the direct involvement of Russian government with preparations for the referendum.[75]

Ukrainian authorities released separatist leader Pavel Gubarev and two others in exchange for three people detained by the Donetsk Republic.[79]

The DPR has cultivated relations with European far-right and nationalist politicians and writers, including French far-right MEP Jean-Luc Schaffhauser, Italian nationalist Alessandro Musolino, German neo-Nazi journalist Manuel Ochsenreiter, and Emmanuel Leroy, a far-right adviser to Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front.[80][81]

On 15 April 2014, acting President Olexander Turchynov announced the start of a military counteroffensive to confront the pro-Russian militants, and on 17 April, tensions de-escalated as Russia, the US, and the EU agreed on a roadmap to eventually end the crisis.[82][83] However, officials of the People's Republic ignored the agreement and vowed to continue their occupations until a referendum is accepted or the government in Kyiv resigns.[84] Following the agreement, the Security Service of Ukraine continued to detain Russians entering the country with large amounts of money and military gear.

In July 2014, Denis Pushilin, the chairman of the republic, said that he did not envision the Donetsk People's Republic becoming an independent state, instead preferring to join a renewed Russian Empire.[85]

11 May independence referendum[]

On 7 May, separatist rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk said that they would proceed with the referendum that was scheduled to be held 11 May, disregarding Vladimir Putin's appeal to delay it.[86] "The referendum will take place as planned. The ballots have already arrived at the polling stations," said Vasily Nikitin, from the press service which is organising the referendum in Luhansk.[citation needed]

The referendum was held on 11 May and the organisers claimed that 89% voted in favor of self-rule, with 10% against, on a turnout of nearly 75%. The results of the referendums were not officially recognised by any government, including those of Ukraine, the United States, the countries of the European Union, and Russia.[87] Germany and the United States stated that the referendums had "no democratic legitimacy",[88] while the Russian government expressed "respect" for the results and urged a "civilised" implementation.[89]

On the day after the referendum, the People's Soviet of the Donetsk People's Republic proclaimed Donetsk to be a sovereign state with an indefinite border and "ask[ed] Russia to consider the issue of our republic's accession into the Russian Federation".[citation needed] It also announced that it would not participate in the presidential election which took place on 25 May. In response, "the Kremlin called for dialogue between the government in Kyiv and the south-east regions of the country, suggesting that a Crimea-style annexation of the region for Moscow is not on the cards."[90]

Peace proposals and stalemate[]

On 1 September 2014, DPR rebels announced that they would respect Ukraine's sovereignty in exchange for autonomy.[91] But they withdrew this offer a few days later.[92]

On 12 February 2015, the DPR and LPR leaders, Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky, signed the Minsk II agreement.[17] In the Minsk agreement it is agreed to introduce amendments to the Ukrainian constitution "the key element of which is decentralisation" and the holding of elections "On temporary Order of Local Self-Governance in Particular Districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, based in the line set up by the Minsk Memorandum as of 19 September 2014"; in return rebel held territory would be reintegrated into Ukraine.[17][18] Representatives of the DPR and LPR continue to forward their proposals concerning Minsk II to the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine.[93] In an effort to stabilize the ceasefire in the region, particularly the disputed and strategically important town of Debaltseve, in February 2015 Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called for a UN-led peacekeeping operation to monitor the compliance with the agreement achieved during the Minsk peace talks.[94]

On 20 May 2015, the leadership of the Federal State of Novorossiya announced the termination of the confederation 'project'.[95][96]

On 15 June 2015, DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko said, "Whatever happens in Minsk, DPR is an independent state and will never be a part of Ukraine".[citation needed]

On 31 August 2015, the Verkhovna Rada read the amendments in the Ukrainian constitution required by Minsk II for the first time with 265 deputies voting for the amendments.[97][98] But since then, it has not voted for the required second reading needed to implement the change in constitution.[98] Passage of the amendment in this second reading requires an extended majority of 300 of the Rada's 450 seats, something that The New York Times has described as "all-but-impossible" (since all nationalist parties would vote against the amendments).[99]

Issuance of the first Donetsk People's Republic passports in March 2016 by DPR leader Zakharchenko

In March 2016, the DPR began to issue passports[100] despite a 2015 statement by Zakharchenko that, without at least partial recognition of DPR, local passports would be a "waste of resources".[100] In November 2016 the DPR announced that all of its citizens had dual Ukrainian/Donetsk People's Republic citizenship.[101]

On 31 August 2018 DPR leader Zakharchenko was killed by a bomb in a restaurant in Donetsk.[102] On 16 October 2016 prominent Russian (citizen) and DPR military leader Arsen Pavlov had been killed by an IED explosion in his Donetsk apartment's elevator.[103] (Another) well known DPR military commander Mikhail Tolstykh was killed by an explosion while working in his Donetsk office on 8 February 2017.[104]

In June 2019 Russia started giving Russian passports to the inhabitants of the DPR and Luhansk People's Republic under a simplified procedure allegedly on "humanitarian grounds" (such as enabling international travel for eastern Ukrainian residents whose passports have expired).[105] According to Ukrainian press by mid-2021 half a million Russian passports had been received by local residents.[106] Deputy Kremlin Chief of Staff Dmitry Kozak stated in a July 2021 interview with Politique internationale that 470 thousand local residents had received a Russian passport; he added that "as soon as the situation in Donbass is resolved....The general procedure for granting citizenship will be restored."[107]

Since December 2019 Ukrainian passports are no longer considered a valid identifying document in the DPR and Ukrainian license plates were also declared illegal.[108] Meanwhile, the previous favorable view of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the DPR press was replaced by with personal accusations of "genocide" and "crimes against Donbas", and proposals of organizing a tribunal against him in absentia.[108] In March 2020 Russian was declared to be the only state language of the DPR.[2] In its May 2014 constitution DPR had declared Russian and Ukrainian its official languages.[109]

In January 2021 the DPR and Luhansk People's Republic stated in a "doctrine Russian Donbas" that they aimed to size all of the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast under control by the Ukrainian government "in the near future."[110] The document did not specifically state the intention of DPR and Luhansk People's Republic to be annexed by Russia.[110]

Political status[]

All UN member states consider the Republic a legal part of Ukraine. Only South Ossetia, which is also a state with limited recognition mostly internationally recognised as part of Georgia, has recognised the Donetsk People's Republic as a sovereign entity after it declared independence from Ukraine in 2014 with Donetsk as its declared capital.[111][112] The parliaments of both entities signed a memorandum on cooperation on 10 April 2016.[113]

Although exercising no direct control over the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Ukrainian government passed the " [uk]" on 16 September 2014, which granted part of Donbas (territory of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic) the special status within Ukraine.

On 18 February 2017, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian authorities to recognise identity documents, diplomas, birth and marriage certificates and vehicle registration plates as issued by the DPR (and the Luhansk People's Republic) until a "political settlement of the situation" in separatist controlled regions based on the Minsk II agreement is reached.[20] The decision enabled people living in DPR controlled territories to travel, work or study in Russia.[20] According to the decree, it was signed "to protect human rights and freedoms" in accordance with "the widely recognised principles of international humanitarian law".[114] Ukrainian authorities decried the decision as being directly contradictory to the Minsk II agreement and that it "legally recognised the quasi-state terrorist groups which cover Russia's occupation of part of Donbas".[115]

International relations[]

served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Donetsk People's Republic from 2014 to 2016; Natalia Nikonorova succeeded him as a minister.

Government and politics[]

Regional public opinion on separatism[]

In a poll conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in the first half of February 2014, 33.2% of people polled in Donetsk Oblast believed "Ukraine and Russia must unite into a single state".[116]

According to a poll conducted by the Institute of Social Research and Policy Analysis, 66% of Donetsk city residents viewed their future in a united Ukraine, 4.7% supported separatism, 18.2% supported joining Russia, while 31.6% wanted a united Ukraine with expansion of autonomy for Donetsk region, with only 18.6% in support of the current status[117] A second poll conducted 26–29 March 2014 showed that 77% of residents condemned the takeover of administrative buildings, while 16% supported such actions. Furthermore, 40.8% of Donetsk city citizens support rallies for Ukraine's unity, while 26.5% support rallies which are pro-Russia.[118]

While support for regional independence was low, only a third of polled Donetsk inhabitants identified themselves as "citizens of Ukraine", preferring instead "Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine" or "residents of Donbas".[119]

The New York Times stated on 11 April 2014 that many locals consider the newly formed republic a "crackpot project".[120]

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology released a second study with polling data taken from 8–16 April 2014. 18.1% of Donetsk Oblast residents supported the recent armed seizures of administrative buildings in the region, while 72% disapproved of the current actions. Roughly 25% in the Donbas region said they would attend secessionist rallies in favor of joining Russia. Most in Donetsk believed that the disarmament and disbanding of illegal radical groups was crucial to preserving national unity. 12.4% were in favor of Ukraine and Russia uniting into a single state; 27.5% in Donetsk were in favor of regional secession from Ukraine to join Russia, 38.4% support federalisation, 41.1% supported a unitary Ukraine with the decentralisation of power and broadening of rights of regions, and 10.6% supported the current unitary state.[121][122]

On 15 June 2015, several hundred people protested in the center of Donetsk. The protesters, mostly from the Oktyabrskiy region of the town, called on the military command to remove "Grad" launchers from this residential area; such launchers have been used to fire at Ukrainian positions, provoking return fire and causing civilian casualties.[123] A DPR leader said that its forces were indeed shelling from residential areas (mentioning school 41 specifically), but that "the punishment of the enemy is everyone's shared responsibility".[124]

In a poll conducted by Sociological Research Centre "Special Status" in August 2015, with 6500 respondents from 19 cities of Donetsk Oblast, only 29% supported the DPR and 10% considered themselves to be "Russian patriots".[125]

Then-Chairman of the People's Council Denis Pushilin speaks at a Victory Day (9 May) rally in Donetsk in 2014.

Government[]

In early April 2014, a Donetsk People's Council was formed out of protesters who occupied the building of the Donetsk Regional Council on 6 April 2014.[41][42][126]

The first full Government of the Donetsk People's Republic was appointed on 16 May 2014.[109] It consisted of several ministers who were previously Donetsk functionaries, a member of the Makiivka City Council, a former Donetsk prosecutor, a former member of the special police Alpha Group, a member of the Party of Regions (who allegedly coordinated "Titushky" (Viktor Yanukovych supporters) during Euromaidan) and Russian citizens.[109] The system of government is described by its deputy defence minister Fyodor Berezin as aiming to build as military communism.[127]

Administration proper in DPR territories is performed by those authorities which performed these functions prior to the war in Donbas.[128] The DPR leadership has also appointed mayors.[129][130]

On 4 September 2015, there was a sudden change in the DPR government, where Denis Pushilin replaced Andrey Purgin in the role of speaker of People's Council and in his first decision, fired Aleksey Aleksandrov, the council's chief of staff, Purgin's close ally. This happened in absence of Purgin and Aleksandrov who were held at the border between Russia and DPR, preventing their return to the republic. Aleksandrov was accused of "destructive activities" and "attempt to illegally cross the border" by the republic's Ministry of Public Security. Russian and Ukrainian media commented on these events as of yet another coup in the republic's authorities.[131][132]

On 31 August 2018, Head and Prime Minister Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in an explosion in a cafe in Donetsk.[133] After his death Dmitry Trapeznikov was appointed as head of the government until September 2019 when he was nominated mayor of Elista, capital of Kalmyk Republic in Russia.[134]

On 5 February 2020 Denis Pushilin unexpectedly appointed Vladimir Pashkov, a Russian citizen and former deputy governor of Russia's Irkutsk Oblast, as the "chairman of the government".[135] This appointment was received in Ukraine as a demonstration of direct control over DPR by Russia.[136]

Legislature[]

The parliament of the Donetsk People's Republic is the People's Council[137] and has 100 deputies.[138]

Elections[]

Parliamentary elections of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics were held on 2 November 2014.[138] People of at least 30 years old who "permanently resided" in Donetsk People's Republic the last 10 years were electable for four years.[138] Ukraine urged Russia to use its influence to stop the election "to avoid a frozen conflict".[139] The European Union and the rest of the world did not recognise the elections.[140] Russia on the other hand stated at the time that it "will of course recognise the results of the election"; Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the election "will be important to legitimise the authorities there".[141] Ukraine held the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election on 26 October 2014; these were boycotted by the Donetsk People's Republic and hence voting for it did not take place in Ukraine's eastern districts controlled by forces loyal to the Donetsk People's Republic.[139][141] Russia's foreign minister stated that the Russian Federation will respect the election; however, it was clarified that while the Russian Federation respects the election it does not mean that Russia is planning on recognising the results.[142]

Political rally in the DPR, 20 December 2014

On 2 July 2015, Donetsk People's Republic leader Aleksandr Zakharchenko ordered local DPR elections to be held on 18 October 2015 "in accordance with the Minsk II agreements".[143] According to Zakharchenko this move meant that the DNR had "independently started to implement the Minsk agreements".[143] Zakharchenko assured "the elections will take place 'on the basis of Ukraine's Law on temporary self-rule status of individual districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions' in so far as they are not at variance with the constitution and laws of the DPR".[143] The 2015 Ukrainian local elections were set for 25 October 2015.[144] Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko responded (also on 2 July 2015) that if this Zakharchenko initiative to hold local DPR elections was upheld this would be "extremely irresponsible and will have devastating consequences for the process of deescalation of tension in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions".[143] (On 6 July 2015 the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) leader (LPR) Igor Plotnitsky set elections for "mayors and regional heads" for 1 November 2015 in territory under his control.[citation needed])

On 6 October 2015, the DNR and LPR leadership postponed their planned elections to 21 February 2016.[145] This happened 4 days after a Normandy four meeting in which it was agreed that the October 2015 Ukrainian local elections in LPR and DPR controlled territories would be held in accordance to the February 2015 Minsk II agreement.[146] At the meeting President of France François Hollande stated that in order to hold these elections (in LPR and DPR controlled territories) it was necessary "since we need three months to organise elections" to hold these elections in 2016.[146] Also during the meeting it is believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to use his influence to not allow the DPR and Luhansk People's Republic election to take place on 18 October 2015 and 1 November 2015.[146] In the weeks and days before 6 October the election campaign for the planned local DPR election of 18 October 2015 was in full swing.[147] In this campaign 90% of the advertising was done by Donetsk Republic.[147]

On 18 April 2016, planned (organised by the DPR) local elections were postponed from 20 April to 24 July 2016.[148] On 22 July 2016 the elections were again postponed to 6 November 2016.[149] On 2 October 2016 the DPR and LPR held primaries in were voters voted to nominate candidates for participation in the 6 November 2016 elections.[150] Ukraine denounced these primaries as illegal.[150] On 4 November 2016 both DPR and LPR postponed their local elections "until further notice"; head of the DPR Zahkarchenko added that "In 2017, we will hold elections under the Minsk agreements, or we will hold them independently."[citation needed]

On 11 November 2018 the DPR administration organized local elections, which have been described as "predetermined and without alternative candidates"[151] and not recognised externally.[152]

Political parties[]

Political parties active in the DPR include Donetsk Republic, the Communist Party of the Donetsk People's Republic, Free Donbas and the New Russia Party. Donetsk Republic and the Communists endorsed Prime Minister Alexander Zakharchenko's candidature for the premiership in 2014.[153][154] In these elections the Communists were banned from participating independently because they had "made too many mistakes" in their submitted documents.[155]

In the internationally unrecognized elections held by the People's Republics in 2014, Donetsk Republic gained a majority in the DPR People's Soviet with 68.53% of the vote and 68 seats. Free Donbas, including candidates from the Russian-nationalist extremist New Russia Party, won 31.65% of the vote and 32 seats.

Military[]

Banner of the Ministry of Defence

On 10 January 2020 president of non-recognised pro-Russian Abkhazia accused DPR of staging a coup in his country. DPR commander was commanding on the spot.[156] Unlike South Ossetia, Abkhazia has never recognised DPR.[157]

Problems of governance[]

Police in Donetsk wearing insignia related to the Donetsk People's Republic, 20 September 2014
DPR military parade in Donetsk, 9 May 2018

OSCE monitors met with the self-proclaimed mayor of Sloviansk, Volodymyr Pavlenko, on 20 June 2014.[158] According to him, sewage systems in Sloviansk had collapsed, resulting in the release of least 10,000 litres of untreated sewage into the river Sukhyi Torets, a tributary of the Seversky Donets. He called this an "environmental catastrophe", and said that it had the potential to affect both Russia and Ukraine.[158]

The DPR imposed martial law on 16 July.[159]

As of May 2014, the Ukrainian Government was paying wages and pensions for the inhabitants of the Donetsk People's Republic.[160][161][162] The closing of bank branches led to problems in receiving these,[163][164][165] especially since the National Bank of Ukraine ordered banks to suspend financial transactions in places which are not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities on 7 August 2014.[166] Only the Oschadbank continued to function in territories controlled by the DPR, but it also closed its branches there on 1 December 2014.[166][167] In response, tens of thousands of pensioners have registered their address as being in Ukrainian-controlled areas while still living in separatist-controlled areas, and must travel outside of separatist areas to collect their pensions on a monthly basis.[168]

In October 2014 the Donetsk People's Republic announced the creation of its own central bank and tax office, obliging residents to register under their Donetsk People's Republic and pay taxes to it.[169] Some local entrepreneurs refused to register.[169]

According to the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine a number of local mutinies have taken place due to unpaid wages and pensions, the Council claims that on 24 November 2014 the local "Women Resistance Battalion" presented to Zakharchenko an ultimatum to get out of Donetsk in two months.[170]

Since April 2015 the DPR has been issuing its own vehicle number plates.[171]

In June 2015, around 500 people protested in Donetsk against the war in Donbas and in support of the Ukrainian government.[172]

On 24 December 2015 the Special Monitoring Mission of the OSCE in Ukraine reported that in the DPR, "parallel 'justice systems' have begun operating".[173] They found this new judiciary to be "non-transparent, subject to constant change, seriously under-resourced and, in many instances, completely non-functional".[173]

In July 2016 over a thousand of people, mainly small business owners, protested in Horlivka against corruption and taxes, which included charging customs fees on imported goods.[174]

Law and order[]

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the DPR's agency responsible for the implementation of law and order.[175]

In 2014, the Donetsk People's Republic introduced the death penalty for cases of treason, espionage, and assassination of political leaders. There had already been accusations of extrajudicial execution occurring.[176]

Since 2015 a number of DPR and LPR field commanders and other significant figures were killed or otherwise removed from power.[177][178] This included Cossack commander Pavel Dryomov, commander of Private Military Company (ЧВК) Dmitry Utkin ("Wagner"), Alexander Bednov ("Batman"), Aleksey Mozgovoy, Yevgeny Ishchenko, Andrei Purgin and Dmitry Lyamin (the last two arrested).[179][180] In August 2016 Igor Plotnitsky, head of LPR, was seriously injured in a car bombing attack in Luhansk.[181] In September 2016 Evgeny Zhilin (Yevhen Zhylin), leader of a separatist "Oplot" unit, was killed in a restaurant near Moscow.[182][183] In October 2016 a military commander Arseniy Pavlov ("Motorola") was killed by an IED planted at his house.[184] In February 2017 a bomb planted in an office killed Mikhail Tolstykh ("Givi").[185] On 31 August 2018 DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko was killed by a bomb in a restaurant in Donetsk.[102] The DNR and Russia blamed the Security Service of Ukraine; Ukraine rejected these accusations, stating that Zakharchenko's death was the result of civil strife in the DNR.[178]

In addition to Ukrainian prisoners of war there are reports of "thousands" of prisoners who were arrested as part of internal fighting between various militant groups inside DPR.[186]

Economy[]

The Donetsk People's Republic has a mixed economy.[citation needed][original research?] Following a large scale privatisation process in the late 90s, most of the companies in the Donetsk People's Republic are now privately owned.[citation needed][original research?] The economy is based on a mix of heavy industry (steel production), electricity production, and manufacturing (textile production), which together account for about 80% of the total industrial output.[citation needed][original research?]

The Donetsk People's Republic has its own central bank, the .

The Republic's economy is frequently described as dependent on contraband and gunrunning,[187] with some labelling it a mafia state. Joining DPR military formations or its civil services has become one of the few guarantees for a stable income in the DPR.[128]

By late October 2014, many banks and other businesses in the Donetsk People's Republic were shut and people were often left without social benefits payments.[169] Sources (who declined to be identified, citing security concerns) inside the DPR administration have told Bloomberg News that Russia transfers 2.5 billion Russian rubles ($37 million) for pensions every month.[188] By mid-February 2016 Russia had sent 48 humanitarian convoys to rebel-held territory that was said to have delivered more than 58,000 tons of cargo; including food, medicines, construction materials, diesel generators and fuel and lubricants.[189] President Poroshenko called this a "flagrant violation of international law" and Valentyn Nalyvaychenko said it was a "direct invasion".[190]

Reuters reported (late October 2014) long lines at soup kitchens.[169] In the same month in at least one factory, factory workers did not receive wages anymore but only food rations.[191]

By June 2015, due to logistical and transport problems, prices in DPR-controlled territory are significantly higher than in territory controlled by Ukraine.[128] This led to an increase of supplies (of more expensive products and those of lower quality) from Russia.[128]

Mines and heavy-industry facilities damaged by shelling were forced to close, undermining the wider chain of economic ties in the region.[191] Three industrial facilities were under Donetsk People's Republic "temporary management" by late October 2014.[191] By early June 2015, 80% of companies that were physically located in the Donetsk People's Republic had been re-registered on territory under Ukrainian control.[187]

The new ruling elites of the Donetsk People’s Republic have displaced the previous oligarchic structures in the region.[192] The new powerholders expropriated profitable businesses. For instance, Rinat Akhmetov has lost control over his assets in the region after they were nationalized. Under Russia’s guidance, the republic set up trade and production monopolies through which the trade in coal and steel is organized. Lacking private banks, its own currency, and direct access to the Black Sea, DPR's survival depends exclusively on Russia’s economic support and trade via the common border.[citation needed]

A Donetsk People's Republic official often promised financial support from Russia, without giving specific details.[169] Prime Minister Aleksandr Zakharchenko in late October 2014 stated that "We have the Russian Federation's agreement in principle on granting us special conditions on gas (deliveries)".[169] Zakharchenko also claimed that "And, finally, we managed to link up with the financial and banking structure of the Russian Federation".[169] When Reuters tried to get more details from a source close to Zakharchenko its only reply was "Money likes silence".[169] Early October 2014 Zakharchenko had stated "The economy will be completely, if possible, oriented towards the Russian market. We consider Russia our strategic partner", according to Zakharchenko this would "secure our economy from impacts from outside, including from Ukraine".[193] According to Yury Makohon, from the Ukrainian National Institute for Strategic Studies, "Trade volume between Russia and Donetsk Oblast has seen a massive slump since the beginning of 2014".[194] Since Russia does not recognise the legal status of the self-proclaimed republic all the trade it does with it is on the basis of Ukrainian law.[187]

DPR authorities have created a multi-currency zone in which both the rouble (Russia's currency) and the hryvnia (Ukraine's currency) can be used, and also the Euro and U.S. Dollar.[128][193] Cash shortages are widespread and, due to a lack of roubles, the hryvnia is the most-used currency.[128] According to Ukraine's security services in May 2016 alone the Russian government has passed US$19 million in cash to fund the DPR administration as well as 35,000 blank Russian passports.[195]

Since late February 2015, DPR-controlled territories receive their natural gas directly from Russia.[196] According to Russia, Ukraine should pay for these deliveries; Ukraine claims it does not receive payments for the supplies from DPR-controlled territory.[196][197] On 2 July 2015, Ukrainian Energy Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn announced that he "did not expect" that Ukraine would supply natural gas to territory controlled by separatist troops in the 2015–2016 heating season.[198] Since 25 November 2015 Ukraine has halted all its imports of (and payments for) natural gas from Russia.[199]

The Donetsk People's Republic is setting up its own mobile network operator called Feniks, which will be fully operational by the end of the summer of 2015.[200] On 5 February 2015, Kyivstar claimed that Feniks illegally used equipment that they officially gave up in territories controlled by pro-Russian separatists.[200] On 18 April 2015, Prime Minister Zakharchenk issued a decree stating that all equipment given up by Kyivstar falls under the control of the separatists in order to "meet the needs of the population in the communication services".[200] The Sim cards of Feniks display the slogan "Connection for the victory".[201]

In June 2015, the DPR authorities announced the start of military pension payments in US dollars.[202]

In Mid-March 2017, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on a temporary ban on the movement of goods to and from territory controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic; this also means that Ukraine has not bought coal from the Donets Black Coal Basin since then.[203]

Anthracite mines under DPR control are reportedly supplying coal to Poland through Russian shell companies to disguise its real origin.[204]

According to Ukrainian and Russian media, the coal export company , owned by Serhiy Kurchenko, owes massive debts to coal mines located in separatist-controlled territory and other local companies.[205]

Sergey Zdrilyuk ("Abwehr"), former deputy of DNR militia, stated in an interview in 2020 that large scale disassembly of mining equipment for scrap metal and other forms of looting took place routinely during Igor Girkin's time as militia commander, and that Girkin took significant amounts of money with him to Moscow. Militia groups such as "Vostok" and "Oplot" as well as various "Cossack formations" were involved in looting on systematic basis.[206][207]

The Donetsk News Agency reported in August that the DPR exported some 19 billion rubles ($256 mln) worth of industrial goods in the first half of 2020. The Donetsk News Agency reported that the DPR exported machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, construction materials, nonmetallic minerals, dairy, meat, and sausage products to Russia, Luhansk People's Republic, Kazakhstan, Poland, Belarus and Latvia. (Note: Wikipedia advises that information from Donetsk News Agency is prohibited on Wikipedia so this report is paraphrased).

Human rights[]

An early March 2016 United Nations OHCHR report stated that people that lived in separatist-controlled areas were experiencing "complete absence of rule of law, reports of arbitrary detention, torture and incommunicado detention, and no access to real redress mechanisms".[208]

Freedom House evaluates the eastern Donbas territories controlled by the DNR and LNR as "not free", scoring 4 out of 100 in its 2021 Freedom in the World index.[209]

War crimes[]

An 18 November 2014 United Nations report on eastern Ukraine stated that the Donetsk People's Republic was in a state of "total breakdown of law and order".[210] The report noted "cases of serious human rights abuses by the armed groups continued to be reported, including torture, arbitrary and incommunicado detention, summary executions, forced labour, sexual violence, as well as the destruction and illegal seizure of property may amount to crimes against humanity".[210] The November report also stated "the HRMMU continued to receive allegations of sexual and gender-based violence in the eastern regions. In one reported incident, members of the pro-Russian Vostok Battalion "arrested" a woman for violating a curfew and beat her with metal sticks for three hours. The woman was also raped by several pro-Russian rebels from the battalion. The report also states that the UN mission "continued to receive reports of torture and ill-treatment by the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and volunteer battalions and by the (pro-Russian separatist) armed groups, including beating, death threats, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and lack of access to medical assistance".[211] In a 15 December 2014 press conference in Kyiv, UN Assistant Secretary-General for human rights Ivan Šimonović stated that the majority of human rights violations were committed in areas controlled by pro-Russian rebels.[212]

The United Nations report also accused the Ukrainian Army and Ukrainian (volunteer) territorial defense battalions, including the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion,[213][214] of human rights abuses such as illegal detention, torture and ill-treatment of DPR and LPR supporters, noting official denials.[210][215] Amnesty International reported on 24 December 2014 that pro-government volunteer battalions were blocking Ukrainian aid convoys from entering separatist-controlled territory.[216]

On 24 July, Human Rights Watch accused the pro-Russian fighters of not taking measures to avoid encamping in densely populated civilian areas."[217][218] It also accused Ukrainian government forces and pro-government volunteer battalions of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, stating that "The use of indiscriminate rockets in populated areas violates international humanitarian law, or the laws of war, and may amount to war crimes."[217][218]

A report by the OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that was released on 2 March 2015 described media postings and online videos which indicated that the pro-Russian armed groups of the Donetsk People's Republic carried out "summary, extrajudicial or arbitrary executions" of captured Ukrainian soldiers. In one incident, corpses of Ukrainian servicemen were found with "their hands tied with white electrical cable" after the pro-Russian rebel groups captured Donetsk International Airport. In January one of the self-proclaimed leaders of the Donetsk People's Republic claimed that the rebel forces were detaining up to five "subversives" between the ages of 18 and 35 per day. A number of captured prisoners of war were forced to march in Donetsk while being assaulted by rebel soldiers and onlookers. The report also said that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies had engaged in a "pattern of enforced disappearances, secret detention and ill-treatment" of people suspected of "separatism" and "terrorism".[219] The report also mentions videos of members of one particular pro-Russian unit talking about running a torture facility in the basement of a Luhansk library. The head of the unit in question was the pro-Russian separatist commander Aleksandr Biednov, known as "Batman" (who was later killed) and the "head" of the torture chamber was a rebel called "Maniac" who "allegedly used a hammer to torture prisoners and surgery kit to scare and extract confessions from prisoners".[219][220]

In September 2015, OSCE published a report on the testimonies of victims held in places of illegal detention in Donbas.[221] In December 2015, a team led by Małgorzata Gosiewska published a comprehensive report on war crimes in Donbas.[222]

Allegations of anti-semitism[]

Alleged members of the Donetsk Republic carrying the flag of the Russian Federation,[223] passed out a leaflet to Jews that informed all Jews over the age of 16 that they would have to report to the Commissioner for Nationalities in the Donetsk Regional Administration building and register their property and religion. It also claimed that Jews would be charged a $50 'registration fee'.[224] If they did not comply, they would have their citizenship revoked, face 'forceful expulsion' and see their assets confiscated. The leaflet stated the purpose of registration was because "Jewish community of Ukraine supported Bendera Junta," and "oppose the pro-Slavic People's Republic of Donetsk".[223] The authenticity of the leaflet could not be independently verified.[225] The New York Times, Haaretz, and The New Republic said the fliers were "most likely a hoax".[226][227][228] France 24 also reported on the questionable authenticity of the leaflets.[229] According to Efraim Zuroff of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the leaflets looked like some sort of provocation, and an attempt to paint the pro-Russian forces as anti-semitic.[230] The chief rabbi of Donetsk Pinchas Vishedski stated that the flyer was a fake meant to discredit the self-proclaimed republic,[231] and saying that anti-Semitic incidents in eastern Ukraine are "rare, unlike in Kiev and western Ukraine"[232] and believes the men were 'trying to use the Jewish community in Donetsk as an instrument in the conflict;'[233] however, he also called the DPR Press Secretary Aleksander Kriakov "the most famous anti-Semite in the region" and questioned DPR's decision to appoint him.[234]

Religion[]

Religion in Donbas (Donetsk + Luhansk) (2016)[235]

  Not religious, agnostics and atheists (43%)
  Eastern Orthodoxy (28.9%)
  Simply Christianity (6.8%)
  Islam (3.4%)
  Protestantism (1.4%)
  Hinduism (0.3%)
  Other religions (16.1%)

At first the Donetsk People's Republic adopted a "constitution" which stated that the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was the official religion of the self-declared state.[236][237] This was changed with the promulgation of a law "on freedom of conscience and religious organisation" in November 2015, backed by three deputies professing Rodnovery (Slavic native faith), whose members organised the Svarozhich Battalion (of the Vostok Brigade) and the Rusich Company.[238][239] The new law caused the dissatisfaction of Metropolitan Hilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol of the Moscow Patriarchate church.[240]

Donbas has been documented as being a stronghold of Rodnovery, especially Russian Rodnover groups that are reorganising local villages and society according to traditional Indo-European trifunctionalism (according to which males are born to play one out of three roles in society, whether priests, warriors or farmers).[241]

Donetsk separatists consider Christian denominations such as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and wider Roman Catholic Church, and Protestantism, as all being anti-Russian and see them as obstacles in the path of the separatist goal of uniting the region with Russia.[237] To complement this emphasis on Orthodoxy against churches deemed "heretical" and anti-Russian, the separatists have been successful in enlisting the widespread support of many people in Donetsk belonging to the indigenous Greek Orthodox community. These are mainly Pontic Greeks settled in Donetsk and elsewhere in southern Russia and Ukraine since the Middle Ages, and are in the main descendants of refugees from the Pontic Alps, Eastern Anatolia, and the Crimea, dating to the Ottoman conquests of these regions in the late 15th century. There have been widespread media reports of these ethnic Greeks and those with roots in southern Ukraine now living in mainly Northern Greece fighting with Donetsk separatist forces on the justification that their war represents a struggle for Christian Orthodoxy against the forces of what they often describe as "schismatics" and "fascists".[citation needed]

Romani people[]

Hundreds of Romani families fled Donbas in 2014.[242] The reported that members of the Donbas People's Militia engaged in assaults and robbery on the Romani (also known as Roma or gypsies) population of Sloviansk. The armed separatists beat women and children, looted homes, and carried off the stolen goods in trucks, according to eyewitnesses.[243][244][245][246] Romani have fled en masse to live with relatives in other parts of the country, fearing ethnic cleansing, displacement and murder. Some men who have decided to remain are forming militia groups to protect their families and homes.[245] DPR Mayor Ponomarev said the attacks were only against Romani who were involved in drug trafficking, and that he was 'cleaning the city from drugs.'[247] The US mission to the OSCE and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk condemned these actions.[243][244][248]

LGBT community[]

On 8 June 2014, it was reported that armed militants from the Donetsk Republic attacked a gay club in the capital of Donetsk, injuring several. Witnesses said 20 people forced their way into the club, stealing jewelry and other valuables; the assailants fired shots in the club, and several people were hurt.[249]

In July 2015, a DPR Ministry of Information spokeswoman stated "there are no gays in Donetsk, as they all went to Kyiv".[250] In 2015, the Deputy Minister of Political Affairs of the Donetsk People's Republic stated: "A culture of homosexuality is spreading… This is why we must kill anyone who is involved in this."[251]

Prejudice against Ukrainian speakers[]

On 18 April 2014, Vyacheslav Ponomarev asked local residents of Sloviansk to report all suspicious persons, especially if they are speaking Ukrainian. He also promised that the local media will publish a phone number for reporting.[252]

An 18 November 2014 United Nations report on eastern Ukraine stated that the Donetsk People's Republic violated the rights of Ukrainian-speaking children because schools in rebel-controlled areas teach only in Russian and forbid Ukrainian to be spoken by pupils.[210]

In March 2020 Russian was declared to be the only state language of the DPR.[2] In its May 2014 constitution DPR had declared Russian and Ukrainian its official languages.[109]

Abductions[]

The Committee to Protect Journalists said that separatists had seized up to ten foreign reporters during the week following the shooting down of the Malaysian aircraft.[253] On 22 July 2014, armed men from the DPR abducted Ukrainian freelance journalist Anton Skiba as he arrived with a CNN crew at a hotel in Donetsk.[253] The DPR often counters such accusations by pointing towards non-governmental organisations, such as Amnesty International's reporting that pro-Ukrainian volunteer paramilitary battalions, such as the Aidar Battalion, Donbas Battalion, Azov Battalion often acted like "renegade gangs", and were implicated in torture, abductions, and summary executions.[216][254] Amnesty International and the (OHCHR) also raised similar concerns about Radical Party leader and Ukrainian MP Oleh Lyashko and his militia.[255]

Donetsk has also observed significant rise in violent crime (homicide, rape, including underage victims) under the control of separatist forces.[256] In July 2015 local authorities of Druzhkovka, previously occupied by separatist forces, exposed a previous torture site in one of the town's cellars.[257]

On 2 June 2017 the freelance journalist Stanislav Aseyev was abducted. Firstly the de facto DNR government denied knowing his whereabouts but on 16 July, an agent of the DNR's Ministry of State Security confirmed that Aseyev was in their custody and that he was suspected of espionage. Independent media is not allowed to report from the DNR-controlled territory.[258] Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists, Human Rights Watch, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, PEN International, Reporters Without Borders and the United States Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have called for the immediate release of Aseyev.[259][260][261][262][263][264] He was released as part of a prison exchange and handed over to Ukrainian authorities on 29 December 2019.[citation needed]

Sergey Zdrilyuk ("Abwehr"), former deputy of DNR militia, confirmed in 2020 that Igor Girkin personally executed prisoners of war he considered "traitors" or "spies".[206][207] This statement was first made in Girkin's interview earlier that year, although Girkin insisted he executions were part of his "military tribunal based on laws of war". Girkin also confessed that he was involved in the murder of Volodymyr Ivanovych Rybak, a representative of Horlivka who was abducted on 17 April 2014 after trying to raise a Ukrainian flag: "Naturally, Rybak, as a person who actively opposed the "militias", was an enemy in my eyes. And his death, probably, is to some extent also under my responsibility".[265]

Education[]

Russian singer Joseph Kobzon meets with school children in Donetsk, 28 May 2015

By the start of the 2015–2016 school-year DNR's authorities had overhauled the curriculum.[266] Ukrainian language lessons were decreased from around eight hours a week to two hours; while the time devoted to Russian language and literature lessons were increased.[266] The history classes were changed to give greater emphasis to the history of Donbas.[266] The grading system was changed from (Ukraine's) 12-point scheme to the five-point grading system that is also used in Russia.[266] According to the director of a College in Donetsk "We give students the choice between the two but the Russian one is taken into greater account".[266] School graduates will receive a Russian certificate, allowing them to enter both local universities and institutions in Russia.[266]

In April 2016 DPR authorities designed "statehood awareness lessons" were introduced in schools (in territory controlled by them).[267]

Culture[]

This flag is among the only ones to have pink in their flag, along with Espirito Santo.

Holidays[]

The main holidays in the republic include Victory Day (9 May) and Republic Day (11 May).[268] The latter celebrates the declaration of the DPR, acting as a sort of national day. The first traditional victory day parade took place on Artem Street in 2015. The parade usually begins, when the clock of the main post office strikes 9:00 am (MSK).

Sports[]

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism is responsible for development of sports on territory of DPR.[269] A Donetsk People's Republic national football team has represented the country in international games organized by ConIFA.[270]

Reactions[]

Donbas[]

Pro-Russian separatists demonstrating during the Great Patriotic War Victory Day celebrations in Donetsk on 9 May 2014.
  • Donetsk City Council (and nine district councils of the city) distanced itself from the RSA occupiers and they stated (on 7 April): "The Donetsk city council and district councils continue working in the legal field. We see ensuring the vital functions of the city as our main task".[46]
  • The Independent Trade Union of Miners in Donetsk announced it would not support the pro-Russian separatist movement.[271]
  • Seven village councils, as well as the districts of Dobropillia Raion and Krasnoarmiisk Raion in Donetsk Oblast requested to secede to join Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The councils intend to hold a referendum.[272] Dnipropetrovsk governor Ihor Kolomoisky announced that local referendums would take place to allow for his province to administer and provide service to cities in Donetsk and Luhansk which wish to secede.[273] A vote on joining Dnipropetrovsk is scheduled for 11 May to coincide with the secessionist referendum.[274]

Political reactions in Ukraine[]

  • Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko pledged revenge against pro-Russian separatists after 19 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in a rocket attack. "Militants will pay hundreds of their lives for each life of our servicemen. Not a single terrorist will avoid responsibility," he said.[275]

Crimea[]

In February and March 2014 Ukrainian authorities lost control of Crimea, which was then annexed by Russia as the Republic of Crimea.[276]

  •  Republic of Crimea – Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Crimea, Rustam Temirgaliyev, expressed the hope that the Donetsk Republic (as well as other south-eastern Ukrainian regions) would form a 'Ukrainian Federation' and join the Union State.[277]

Foreign[]

  •  Canada – Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the events are "strictly the work of Russian provocateurs sent by the Putin regime". Canadian foreign affairs minister John Baird described events in Ukraine as "brazen and coordinated actions" by Russia. He said: "I don't know who the Russian Federation thinks it's kidding when it tries to pretend that it has nothing to do with them," and that there are "very clear and disconcerting parallels between the developments in eastern Ukraine and those that took place before moved to annex Crimea." He said to reporters "there's no doubt, for a good number of weeks, provocateurs and frankly thugs have been crossing the border" into Ukraine.[278]
  •  Russian Federation – On 7 April 2014, Russia's foreign ministry said that Ukrainian authorities keep blaming the Russian government for all its troubles and stated that "Ukrainians want to get a clear answer from Kiev to all their questions. It's time to listen to these legal claims".[44][279] It also stated it was "carefully observing" events in the east and south of Ukraine, and again called for "real constitutional reform" that would turn Ukraine into a federation.[280] In a 7 April opinion piece in The Guardian, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov wrote that it was the west, and not Russia, that was guilty of destabilising Ukraine and that "Russia is doing all it can to promote early stabilisation in Ukraine".[280][281] The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a stern statement condemning the "criminal order" by Kiev for armed aggression against Donetsk, "The Kiev authorities, who self-proclaimed themselves as a result of a coup, have embarked on the violent military suppression of the protests,", demanding that "the Maidan henchmen, who overthrew the legitimate president, immediately stop the war against their own people, fulfill all the obligations under the Agreement of 21 February."[citation needed] Russian Federation formally distances itself from the DPR government and has not recognised it,[282] but on numerous occasions Sergey Lavrov was making definite statements regarding its policy, e.g. deploying international peacekeeping mission in DPR.[283]
  •  United Kingdom – British Foreign Secretary William Hague said there is no doubt that Moscow is behind the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine. "There can't really be any real doubt that this is something that has been planned and brought about by Russia," he said, adding that Russia was deliberately "violating the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine", and that "I don't think denials of Russian involvement have a shred of credibility."[284]
  •  United StatesUS Secretary of State John Kerry said on 7 April 2014 that the events "did not appear to be spontaneous" and called on Russia to "publicly disavow the activities of separatists, saboteurs and provocateurs" in a phone call to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.[44] A spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council claimed that the separatists appeared to be supported by Russia. "We saw similar so-called protest activities in Crimea before Russia's purported annexation," she said in a statement, adding: "We call on President (Vladimir) Putin and his government to cease all efforts to destabilise Ukraine, and we caution against further military intervention."[285] US-Ukraine ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt characterised the pro-Russian militants as terrorists.[286]

Political experts[]

  • Ukrainian-American Alexander J. Motyl, professor of political science at Rutgers University argues that Russia's direct and indirect involvement in the violence in eastern Ukraine qualifies as a state-sponsored terrorism, and that those involved qualify as "terrorist groups".[287] Motyl also said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on 20 February 2014 that Ukraine would be "better off" without "those three problematic provinces – the two in the Donbas – Luhansk and Donetsk – and arguably even the Crimea".[288]
  • Ethnic conflict expert Matthew Parish argues that the real cause for Russia pursuing the Donbas conflict is to destabilise Ukraine so that it cannot settle into the Western sphere of influence.[289]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ The group stated they:
    1) do not recognize the Ukrainian authorities;
    2) consider themselves the legitimate authority;
    3) "sent into retirement" of all law enforcement officials appointed by the central government and Governor Serhiy Taruta;
    4) "prescribed" in the 11 May referendum on self-determination Donetsk;
    5) require the issuance of its leader Pavel Gubarev and others are detained separatists;
    6) require Ukraine to withdrawal its troops and paramilitary forces;
    7) start the process of finding mechanisms of cooperation with the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia (since 2015, the Eurasian Economic Union, also including Armenia and Kyrgyzstan) and other separatist groups (in Kharkiv and Luhansk).[66]

References[]

  1. ^ National Anthem of Donetsk People's Republic - Славься республика, наша народная YouTube (https://www.youtube.com). Retrieved on 2021-03-16.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Русский признали в ДНР единственным государственным языком [The Russian language has become the sole state language in the DPR]. Российская газета (in Russian). Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. ^ Luhn, Alec (12 November 2018). "Kremlin-backed candidate elected leader of breakaway Donetsk republic". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  4. ^ ""Правительство ДНР" возглавил бывший чиновник из России, работавший у Курченко" [The former official from Russia who worked for Kurchenko was placed in charge of the "Government of DPR"]. Strana.ua (in Russian). 6 February 2020.
  5. ^ The former deputy chairman of the Irkutsk Oblast government became a premier-minister of DPR (Бывший зампред правительства Иркутской области стал премьер-министром ДНР). Irk.ru. 7 February 2020
  6. ^ Peskov commented on appointment of a Russian as premier in the DPR (Песков прокомментировал назначение премьером в ДНР россиянина). RIA.ru. 6 February 2020
  7. ^ Walker, Shaun (12 May 2014). "Ukraine: pro-Russia separatists set for victory in eastern region referendum". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Численность населения Донецкой Народной Республики на 1 января 2018 года" (PDF). Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  9. ^ "DPR and LPR switch over to Moscow time". Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  10. ^ "Парламент ДНР сменил исполняющего обязанности главы республики". Meduza. Meduza. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2021. Народный совет самопровозглашенной Донецкой народной республики (ДНР) сменил исполняющего обязанности главы республики — вместо вице-премьера Дмитрия Трапезникова им стал председатель парламента Денис Пушилин, пишет «Интерфакс».
  11. ^ "South Ossetia recognises independence of Donetsk People's Republic". Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Ten Things You Should Know about Russian Involvement in Ukraine". Atlantic Council. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Database and Video Overview of the Russian Weaponry in the Donbas". InformNapalm.org (English). 17 September 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b c Ukraine crisis: Russian troops crossed border, Nato says, BBC News (12 November 2014)
    Putin defends rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine, BBC News (19 December 2019)
    Ukraine conflict: Front-line troops begin pullout, BBC News (29 October 2019).
  15. ^ "Ukraine's prosecutor general classifies self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk republics as terrorist organizations". Kyiv Post. 16 May 2014.
  16. ^ "EU terrorist list – Consilium". Europa (web portal). Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements" (Press release) (in Russian). Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b "Minsk agreement on Ukraine crisis: text in full". The Daily Telegraph. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  19. ^ Explainer: What Is The Steinmeier Formula – And Did Zelenskiy Just Capitulate To Moscow?, Radio Free Europe (2 October 2019)
    Ukraine conflict: Can peace plan in east finally bring peace?, BBC News (10 December 2020)
    Ukraine conflict: Guns fall silent but crisis remains, BBC News (23 October 2015)
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Putin orders Russia to recognize documents issued in rebel-held east Ukraine". Reuters. Reporting by Maria Kiselyova in Moscow, addition reporting by Pavel Polityuk in Kiev; editing by Adrian Croft. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.CS1 maint: others (link)
  21. ^ "U.S. embassy in Kiev critical of Moscow order on Ukrainian documentation". Reuters. Reporting by Andrey Ostroukh; editing by David Goodman. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.CS1 maint: others (link)
  22. ^ "Набув чинності закон про окуповані території України" [The Law on Occupied Territories of Ukraine has come into force]. Mirror Weekly (in Ukrainian). 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2014.
  23. ^ Higher educational institutions at the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will not work – the minister of education. Newsru. 1 October 2014
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic governs most residents". Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
    "Nowhere to Run in Eastern Ukraine". The New York Times. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ukraine crisis: Timeline". BBC News. 13 November 2014.
  26. ^ "Ukraine troops tighten noose on separatists in Donetsk as NATO says Russia has 20K troops on border". 6 August 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  27. ^ "Ukraine crisis in maps". BBC News. 18 February 2015.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b 'A Real War Going On': Mixed News From the Front Lines in Ukraine, Daily Signal (5 February 2016)
  29. ^ Shyrokyne: Strategic Asset, Political Symbol on Ukraine's Azov Sea Coast, The Jamestown Foundation (14 August 2015)
    Pavel Polityuk; Alessandra Prentice; Louise Ireland (10 February 2015). "Ukrainian forces launch offensive near Mariupol, east Ukraine: Kiev". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
    "Ukraine conflict: Battles rage ahead of Minsk talks". BBC News. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  30. ^ Tomasz Piechal (17 June 2015). "The War republics in the Donbas one year after the outbreak of the conflict". OSW: Centre for Eastern Studies.
  31. ^ Оккупанты приняли "закон" о госгранице "ДНР", позарившись на всю Донецкую область [Occupiers adopted a "law" on state border of the "DPR", claiming entire Donetsk Oblast] (in Russian). Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  32. ^ "Donetsk republic passes law on state border". TASS. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b "Всеукраїнський перепис населення 2001 | English version | Results | General results of the census | National composition of population". 17 December 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  34. ^ Andrés, César García (2018). "Historical Evolution of Ukraine and its Post Communist Challenges" (PDF). Revista de Stiinte Politics (RST). 58.
  35. ^ "Fight For Dignity: Remembering The Ukrainian Revolution". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  36. ^ Petro, Nicolai N., Understanding the Other Ukraine: Identity and Allegiance in Russophone Ukraine (1 March 2015). Richard Sakwa and Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, eds., Ukraine and Russia: People, Politics, Propaganda and Perspectives, Bristol, United Kingdom: E-International Relations Edited Collections, 2015, pp. 19–35. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2574762
  37. ^ "Pro-Russia Protesters Storm Donetsk Offices". NBC News. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv". BBC News. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b "Pro-Russians fortify barricade of gubernatorial building in Donetsk". Kyiv Post. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014.
  40. ^ Протестующие в Донецке требуют провести референдум о вхождении в РФ [Protesters in Donetsk want to hold a referendum on joining the Russian Federation] (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014.
  41. ^ Jump up to: a b Воскресный штурм ДонОГА в фотографиях. novosti.dn.ua (in Russian). 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014.
  42. ^ Jump up to: a b Донецькі сепаратисти готуються сформувати "народну облраду" та приєднатися до РФ [Donetsk separatists are preparing to form a "people's regional council" and join Russialanguage=uk]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  43. ^ Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ. Donbas News (in Russian). 6 April 2014.
  44. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic'". BBC News. 7 April 2014.
  45. ^ Донецька міськрада просить громадян не брати участь у протиправних діях [Donetsk city council asks citizens not to participate in unlawful activities]. NGO.Donetsk.ua (in Ukrainian). 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
  46. ^ Jump up to: a b "Donetsk City Council urges leaders of protests held in the city to hold talks, lay down arms immediately – statement". Interfax-Ukraine. 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  47. ^ "Donetsk's pro-Russian activists prepare referendum for 'new republic'". The Guardian. 8 April 2014. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  48. ^ "Donetsk separatists hold oblast government headquarters". Kyiv Post. 11 April 2014. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  49. ^ "Demonstrators in Donetsk plan to create 'people's army'". Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  50. ^ "Pro-Russian mayor of Slavyansk sacked and arrested". The Guardian. 12 June 2014.
  51. ^ "Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism". GlobalPost. 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  52. ^ ""Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union". Ukrayinska Pravda. 8 April 2014. require the release of its leader Paul Gubarev and other detained separatists;
  53. ^ Coynash, Halya (18 March 2014). "Far-Right Recruited as Crimea Poll Observers". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Pavel Gubarev, a former member of the neo-Nazi, Russian chauvinist Russian National Unity movement
  54. ^ Snyder, Timothy (17 March 2014). "Far-Right Forces are Influencing Russia's Actions in Crimea". The New Republic. In Donetsk Gubarov was known as a neo-Nazi and as a member of the fascist organization Russian National Unity.
  55. ^ "Russia's deep ties to Donetsk's Kremlin collaborators". Kyiv Post. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. In Donetsk, Pavel Gubarev, a Ukrainian citizen and former member of the Russian National Unity movement, attempted to head the protest.
  56. ^ "Kremlin turns a blind eye to the rampant Nazism in the country". TSN. 10 April 2014. It is worth noting that Gubarev was recently an activist of the Russian radical nationalist organization – Russian National Unity, which is included in the International Union of National Socialists.
  57. ^ Digital Journal, Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism, by Germain Moyon, 9 March 2014.
  58. ^ "Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism". Global Post. 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014.
  59. ^ Jump up to: a b "Regional legislators proclaim industrial center Donetsk People's Republic". ITAR-TASS. 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  60. ^ "обращение народа Донбасса к Путину В.В." – via YouTube.
  61. ^ "Патриотические силы Донбасса организовались и скоординировались. Манифест". OstroV. 15 April 2014.
  62. ^ В Донецке отменили создание Донецкой республики [The creation of the "Donetsk Republic" was cancelled in Donetsk] (in Russian). News.bigmir.net. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  63. ^ Jump up to: a b Донецкая республика не продержалась и дня? [Donestk Republic did not last a day?]. Ukrayinska Pravda (in Russian). 8 April 2014.
  64. ^ "Решение о создании "Донецкой народной республики" отменено" [Decision to establish a "people's republic of Donetsk" canceled]. Gazeta.ru. 8 April 2014.
  65. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ukraine forces retake Kharkiv building, pro-Russians hold out elsewhere". Euronews. 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
  66. ^ Jump up to: a b ""Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union". Ukrayinska Pravda (in Ukrainian). 8 April 2014.
  67. ^ "Pro-Russian terrorists build barricades at Donetsk city hall". BBC News. 8 April 2014.
  68. ^ "Граждане России продолжают митинговать в Донецке за отделение Донбасса" [Russian citizens continue to rally in Donetsk Donbas secession]. Novosti Donetsk. 8 March 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  69. ^ "Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – Monday, 14 April 2014". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014.
  70. ^ "Separatists in Donetsk decided to release several floors". Ukrainska Pravda. 22 April 2014.
  71. ^ Сепаратисты освободили 9 и 10 этажи Донецкой ОГА ФОТОФАКТ [Separatists give up floors 9 and 10 of the Donetsk Regional Administration offices, in pictures]. Novosti Donetsk. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014.
  72. ^ Ostrovsky, Simon (12 April 2014). "Russian Roulette: The Invasion of Ukraine (Dispatch Twenty Three)". VICE News. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014. It's day 2 of the People's Republic of Donetsk, and it smells like there was a huge frat party here because earlier today they decided to pour all their alcohol out onto the barricades out front because apparently there's been a problem with a little bit too much drinking inside the building.
  73. ^ Рафаэль Сааков Русская служба Би-би-си (1 January 1970). "Донецкий сепаратист Пушилин: нас объединяет русский мир". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 July 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  74. ^ Peter Leonard (7 May 2014). "Putin: Troops have pulled back from Ukraine border". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  75. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Баркашов советует "впарить" Донецку итоги референдума". BBC Russian. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 9 May 2014.
  76. ^ "Terrorist Organization Profile – START – National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  77. ^ "SBU Audio Links Donetsk Republic to Russian Involvement". Ukrainian Policy. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  78. ^ Young, Cathy (21 May 2014). "Fascism Comes to Ukraine – From Russia". Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  79. ^ "Пленных сотрудников Альфы обменяли на трех лидеров сепаратистов – СБУ". Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  80. ^ Pierre Vaux (14 May 2015). "Marine Le Pen's Closest Advisor Comes Out of the Shadows in Donetsk". The Daily Beast.
  81. ^ "German neo-Nazi demonstrators with a Kremlin-backed militant cause". khpg.org. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  82. ^ "Ukraine says Donetsk 'anti-terror operation' under way". BBC News. 15 April 2014.
    "Ukraine crisis: Deal to 'de-escalate' agreed in Geneva". BBC News. 17 April 2014.
  83. ^ Michael R Gordon (17 April 2014). "U.S. and Russia Agree on Pact to Defuse Ukraine Crisis". The New York Times.
  84. ^ "Eastern Ukraine's Pro-Russian Activists Stand Fast". The Wall Street Journal. 18 April 2014. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  85. ^ ""We want to join a Russian Empire:" Discussion with the Leader of the Donetsk People's Republic". Center on Global Interests. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  86. ^ Chivers, C. J.; David M. Herzenhorn (8 May 2014). "Separatists in Ukraine Vow to Proceed With Autonomy Vote". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  87. ^ Kramer, Andrew E.; Cowell, Alan (12 May 2014). "Russia Keeps Its Distance After Ukraine Secession Referendums". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  88. ^ "Ukraine: Donetsk polling stations gear up for Sunday referendum". Euronews. 10 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  89. ^ "Russia Calls for 'Civilized Implementation' of East Ukraine Referendum Results". The Wall Street Journal. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  90. ^ Shaun Walker; Oksana Grytsenko (12 May 2014). "Donetsk region asks to join Russia". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  91. ^ Weir, Fred (1 September 2014). "Ukraine rebels say they are willing to talk peace with Kiev". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014.
  92. ^ "Russian Rebels Seeking Total Independence from Ukraine". The New Indian Express. Indo-Asian News Service. 3 September 2014. Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
    Truce in Ukraine violated, but holding for now, Special Broadcasting Service (8 September 2014)
  93. ^ Socor, Vladimir (22 May 2015). "ANALYSIS: Donetsk and Luhansk propose amendments to Ukraine's Constitution". The Ukrainian Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  94. ^ "Ukraine conflict: Poroshenko calls for UN peacekeepers". BBC News. 19 February 2015.
  95. ^ "Russian-backed 'Novorossiya' breakaway movement collapses". Ukraine Today. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
    Проект "Новороссия" закрыт [Project "New Russia" is closed] (in Russian). Gazeta.ru. 20 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  96. ^ Проект "Новороссия" закрыт [Project "New Russia" is closed] (in Russian). Gazeta.ru. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  97. ^ Olszański, Tadeusz A. (2 September 2015). "Ukraine is divided over constitutional reform". OSW: Centre for Eastern Studies. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  98. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ukraine's parliament avoids implementation of Minsk agreements". Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 2 February 2016. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  99. ^ Kramer, Andrew E. (18 March 2016). "Ex-Professor Upsets Ukraine Politics, and Russia Peace Accord". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  100. ^ Jump up to: a b Grigas, Agnia (23 March 2016). "Separatists Launch New "Passportization" Strategy in Eastern Ukraine". Atlantic Council. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  101. ^ У "ДНР" заявили, що запровадили "подвійне громадянство" [The "DNR" said that they have introduced "dual citizenship"]. Espreso TV. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  102. ^ Jump up to: a b "Pro-Russian rebel leader killed in eastern Ukraine blast". The Washington Post. 31 August 2018.
  103. ^ "Prominent rebel warlord Arseny 'Motorola' Pavlov dies in Donetsk blast". The Guardian. (17 October 2016)
  104. ^ CBC. "Separatist commander Mikhail Tolstykh, 'Givi', killed in eastern Ukraine". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  105. ^ Russia starts giving passports to Ukrainians from Donetsk, Luhansk, Deutsche Welle (14 June 2019)
  106. ^ (in Ukrainian) The leader of fighters Pushilin gathered in "United Russia", Ukrayinska Pravda (15 July 2021)
    (in Ukrainian) "United Russia" went on the offensive in the Donbass, The Ukrainian Week (15 July 2021)
  107. ^ (in Ukrainian) At Putin assure: We distribute passports of the Russian Federation in Donbass not for annexation of ORDLO, Ukrayinska Pravda (20 July 2021)
  108. ^ Jump up to: a b The march of dis-integration, The Ukrainian Week (7 March 2020)
  109. ^ Jump up to: a b c d В самопровозглашенной Донецкой народной республике (ДНР) избрали правительство. Премьер-министром стал гражданин России Александр Бородай [The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) elected a government. Russian citizen Alexander Boroday became Prime Minister.] (in Russian). RBC Information Systems. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 September 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  110. ^ Jump up to: a b (in Ukrainian) Militants presented the "doctrine": provides capture of all Donbas, Ukrayinska Pravda (28 January 2021)
  111. ^ "South Ossetia recognizes Donetsk People's Republic". Kyiv Post. 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  112. ^ Ukraine's rebel 'people's republics' begin work of building new states, The Guardian (6 November 2014)
  113. ^ "Commentary of Vladislav Berdichevskiy on Agreement of cooperation between the DPR and South Ossetia – Novorossia Today".
  114. ^ Putin Signs Decree Temporarily Recognizing Passports Issued By Separatists In Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (18 February 2017)
  115. ^ Russia accepts passports issued by east Ukraine rebels, BBC News (19 February 2017)
  116. ^ "How relations between Ukraine and Russia should look like? Public opinion polls' results". Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. 4 March 2014.
  117. ^ "66% дончан видят будущее в единой Украине". Donbas News. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  118. ^ "Total of 77 percent of citizens in Donetsk condemn administrative buildings takeover". Kyiv Post. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  119. ^ "In Eastern Ukraine, a One-Building, Pro-Russia Realm Persists Despite Criticism". The New York Times. 9 April 2014. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  120. ^ Higgins, Andrew (11 April 2014). "In Eastern Ukraine, a One-Building, Pro-Russia Realm Persists Despite Criticism". The New York Times. an imaginary new nation that nobody, not even Russia, recognizes.
  121. ^ Babiak, Mat (19 April 2014). "Southeast Statistics". Ukrainian Policy.
  122. ^ "The views and opinions of South-Eastern regions residents of Ukraine: April 2014". Kiev Institute of Sociology. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  123. ^ Kanygin, Pavel (15 June 2015). "Глава ДНР Захарченко вышел к митингующим за прекращение войны жителям на костылях (Онлайн)".
  124. ^ "Захарченко, оправдываясь, признался, что его боевики ведут обстрелы с территории школы | InfoResist". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  125. ^ "Poll in DPR: Less than third of residents support separatists". Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  126. ^ Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ [Separatists put an ultimatum: a referendum on joining the Donetsk region with the Russian Federation]. novosti.dn.ua (in Russian). 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  127. ^ Andrew E. Kramer (4 October 2014). "Rebels in Eastern Ukraine Dream of Reviving Soviet Heyday". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  128. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Piechal, Tomasz (17 June 2015). "The War republics in the Donbas one year after the outbreak of the conflict". Centre for Eastern Studies. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  129. ^ Quinn-Judge, Paul (3 March 2016). "Ukraine's eastern separatist leaders turn on each other". New Eastern Europe. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  130. ^ Rudenko, Serhiy (3 March 2016). Коментар: Мінськ помер у Москві [Commentary: Minsk died in Moscow] (in Ukrainian). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  131. ^ "Глава "народного совета" ДНР отправлен в отставку – BBC Русская служба". 5 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  132. ^ "'Power struggle' in Donetsk prompts flurry of speculation in Kyiv and beyond". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  133. ^ "Rebel leader in east Ukraine killed in blast". Reuters. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  134. ^ Times, The Moscow (2 October 2019). "Russian Town Rallies Against New Mayor From Rebel-Held Eastern Ukraine". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  135. ^ "Ex-Russian official becomes 'prime minister' of Donetsk militants | KyivPost – Ukraine's Global Voice". Kyiv Post. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  136. ^ "Statement by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya at the United Nations Security Council briefing on Ukraine". Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations. Retrieved 19 February 2020. How local is the recently appointed so-called acting head of "government of Donetsk" Vladimir Pashkov? The citizen of Russia, born in Siberia, graduated from the Russian Military Pacific Navy School and, until recently, the vice-governor of the Irkutsk region of Russia? Would you like to know how close is Irkutsk to Donetsk? Some insignificant 6 000 km. Still local enough, in the opinion of Moscow, to rule in Donbas and to be talked to about its future.
  137. ^ Steve Rosenberg (8 June 2014). "The Ukrainians who are nostalgic for their Soviet past". BBC News. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014.
  138. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Date of elections in Donetsk, Luhansk People's republics the same – Nov. 2", Russian News Agency "TASS" (11 October 2014)
  139. ^ Jump up to: a b Ukraine urges Russia to stop separatist elections, USA Today (21 October 2014)
  140. ^ EU not to recognize elections organized by DPR and LPR, Interfax-Ukraine (25 October 2014)
  141. ^ Jump up to: a b Ukraine crisis: Russia to recognise rebel vote in Donetsk and Luhansk, BBC News (28 October 2014)
  142. ^ "Russia to respect, but not necessarily recognize elections". RIA Novosti. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014.
  143. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Local elections in DPR to take place on October 18 – Zakharchenko", Interfax-Ukraine (2 July 2015)
    "DPR, LPR attempts to hold separate elections in Donbas on Oct 18 to have destructive consequences – Poroshenko", Interfax-Ukraine (2 July 2015)
  144. ^ "Poroshenko says local elections in Ukraine will be held on Oct. 25, date on which they will be held in Donbas is hard to predict", Kyiv Post (11 June 2015)
  145. ^ Natalia Zinets; Pavel Polityuk (6 October 2015). "Pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine postpone disputed elections". Reuters. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
    "Ukraine rebels to delay elections". The Washington Post. 6 October 2015.
  146. ^ Jump up to: a b c Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian rebels 'delay disputed elections', BBC News (6 October 2015)
    Hollande: Elections In Eastern Ukraine Likely To Be Delayed, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (2 October 2015)
    Ukraine Is Being Told to Live With Putin, Bloomberg News (5 October 2015)
  147. ^ Jump up to: a b (in Ukrainian) Donbas postpones elections, Gazeta.ru (5 October 2015)
  148. ^ (in Ukrainian) Zakharchenko put "election". Ukrayinska Pravda. 19 April 2016
  149. ^ (in Ukrainian) Zakharchenko postponed elections "DNR" in November. Ukrayinska Pravda. 23 July 2016
  150. ^ Jump up to: a b Defying Minsk process, Russian-backed separatists hold illegal elections, Kyiv Post (2 October 2016)
    Donbass militia leader announces autumn primaries in Donetsk, TASS news agency (23 May 2016)
  151. ^ "Russia lies about Minsk Agreement to justify support for fake 'elections' in occupied Donbas". Human Rights in Ukraine. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  152. ^ "Statement by the NATO Spokesperson on the reported elections in eastern Ukraine".
  153. ^ "Self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic to elect its leader, lawmakers". TASS. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  154. ^ "TASS: World – Communist Party created in Donetsk People's Republic". TASS. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  155. ^ "Eastern Ukraine's Fake State Is About to Elect a Fake Prime Minister". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  156. ^ Tadtaev, Georg (10 January 2020). "В Абхазии заявили об участии украинцев в попытке госпереворота" [Abkhazia announces the Involvement of Ukrainians in Attempted Coup]. RBK Group (in Russian).
  157. ^ Morrison, Thea (3 October 2018). "Russia Advises Abkhazia to Recognize Lugansk and Donetsk". Georgia Today.
  158. ^ Jump up to: a b "Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine based on information received until 22 June 2014" (Press release). Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  159. ^ "Donetsk People's Republic imposes martial law, cuts off Ukrainian TV channels". Kyiv Post. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  160. ^ Separatists urge Russia to annex Donetsk in wake of referendum, Financial Times (16 May 2014)
  161. ^ Philip Shishkin (9 July 2014). "Rebel Stronghold in Ukraine Braces for Its Showdown". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  162. ^ "Militants steal Hr 15 million in Donetsk bank". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  163. ^ "Fear grips Donetsk as Ukraines forces vow to crush pariah rebels". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  164. ^ Adrian Karatnycky (8 July 2014). "Putin's Ukraine Assault: In a Shambles but Far From Over". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  165. ^ "Calm before the storm in Donetsk". Deutsche Welle.
  166. ^ Jump up to: a b (in Russian)\(in Ukrainian) Why Savings violates the prohibition NBU to work in the area of ATO , Ukrayinska Pravda (8 September 2014)
  167. ^ [Oschadbank stops operation of departments on rebel-control territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions Oschadbank stops operation of departments on rebel-control territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions], Interfax-Ukraine (24 November 2014)
  168. ^ Pensioners travel outside of separatist areas to get their cash, Kyiv Post (11 December 2014)
  169. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h East Ukraine separatists hold vote to gain legitimacy, promise normalcy, Reuters (30 October 2014)
  170. ^ Women gave militants two months to get out of Donetsk – NSDC. Ukrayinska Pravda. 25 November 2014
  171. ^ 'Donetsk People's Republic' seeks sense of nationhood, Al Jazeera (17 February 2017)
  172. ^ ""Stop using us as shields!" Donetsk protests against Kremlin-backed militants :: khpg.org". khpg.org. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
    Стихийный антивоенный митинг в центре Донецка завершился (Хроника) [The spontaneous anti-war rally in the center of Donetsk is over (Chronicle)] (in Russian). Novaya Gazeta. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  173. ^ Jump up to: a b Non-transparent 'justice systems' set up in rebel-controlled Donbas areas mostly non-functional – OSCE SMM, Interfax-Ukraine (25 December 2015)
  174. ^ "Large protest in occupied Horlivka against crippling militant 'taxes' :: khpg.org". khpg.org. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
    Более тысячи частных предпринимателей Горловки выразили недоверие администрации города [More than a thousand private entrepreneurs Gorlovka expressed distrust of the city administration] (in Russian). Gorlivka Today. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  175. ^ "О Министерстве | МИНИСТЕРСТВО ВНУТРЕННИХ ДЕЛ ДОНЕЦКОЙ НАРОДНОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ". xn--b1aea3ais.xn--p1acf. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  176. ^ The Moscow Times Articles (18 August 2014). "Donetsk Separatists Introduce Death Penalty for Treason". themoscowtimes.com.
  177. ^ "Russia and the Separatists in Eastern Ukraine" (PDF). International Crisis Group. 5 February 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2016.
  178. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ukraine: Top rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko killed in Donetsk blast". Deutsche Welle. 31 August 2018.
  179. ^ "Paranoia and Purges: The Dark and Dirty Battle for Power in Rebel-Held Ukraine | VICE News". VICE News. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  180. ^ "Донбасс. Грязь и кровь "братской войны"". Росбалт. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  181. ^ "В Луганске взорвали машину главы ЛНР". tvrain.ru. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  182. ^ "Pro-Russian militant leader from Eastern Ukraine shot dead near Moscow – media". Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  183. ^ "Prominent Ukrainian Anti-Maidan Activist Killed in Moscow Restaurant". Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  184. ^ Командир ополчения ДНР Моторола убит в Донецке. Interfax.ru (in Russian). 16 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  185. ^ Inc., TV Rain. "В ДНР погиб командир батальона "Сомали" Гиви". tvrain.ru. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  186. ^ ""Газета.ру" рассказала о том, как в плену "ДНР" и "ЛНР" пытали своих же". Gazeta.ru. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  187. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Енріке Менендес: Чи є сенс у блокаді Донбасу?" [Enrique Menendez: Does it make sense to blockade Donbas?]. Ukrayinska Pravda (in Russian). 6 June 2015.
  188. ^ The Central Bank With No Currency, No Interest Rates, But ATMs, Bloomberg News (16 16 September 2015)
  189. ^ Official: Moscow will return control over eastern border to Kiev after crisis is settled, Russian News Agency TASS (15 February 2016)
  190. ^ "Ukraine crisis: Russia aid convoy 'invades Ukraine'". BBC.
  191. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Ukraine Oligarch Put on Spot as Pro-Russian Rebels Nibble at His Empire". The Moscow Times. 26 October 2014.
  192. ^ Ion Marandici & Alexandru Leșanu (2021) The Political Economy of the Post-Soviet De Facto States: A Paired Comparison of Transnistria and the Donetsk People’s Republic, Problems of Post-Communism, 68:4, 339-351, DOI: 10.1080/10758216.2020.1785317
  193. ^ Jump up to: a b Donetsk Republic PM speaks in favour of economic cooperation with Russia, Information Telegraph Agency of Russia (12 October 2014)
  194. ^ "Separatists cause economic slump in Donbas". Deutsche Welle.
  195. ^ "Ukraine's intel reveals how much cash Moscow forwards to militants in May". uatoday.tv. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  196. ^ Jump up to: a b Russian gas for the Donbas: the games being played with Kyiv and Brussels, Centre for Eastern Studies (25 February 2015)
  197. ^ "Russia, Ukraine Clash Over Politics, Gas". Voice of America. Reuters. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  198. ^ "Ukraine not planning to supply gas to uncontrolled areas of Donbas in 2015/2016 heating season – energy minister". Interfax-Ukraine. 2 July 2015.
  199. ^ Ukraine closes airspace to all Russian planes, BBC News (25 November 2015)
  200. ^ Jump up to: a b c Kremlin-separatist area gets its own mobile operator, Kyiv Post (5 June 2015)
    Kyivstar switches off mobile network in militant-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region, Interfax-Ukraine (5 February 2015)
  201. ^ "Mobile connection partially restored in war-torn east Ukraine". Yahoo! News.
  202. ^ "В "ДНР" начали выплачивать часть пенсий в долларах". TV Rain.
  203. ^ Ukrainian energy industry: thorny road of reform, Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (10 January 2018)
  204. ^ "Less gas, more coal: Poland's contradictory approach to Russian energy imports". Notes From Poland. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  205. ^ The age of marauders, The Ukrainian Week (2 February 2020)
  206. ^ Jump up to: a b ""Интервью с Гордоном – просто фарс": Герой Донбасса рассказал о "работе на понты" Стрелкова-Гиркина". tsargrad.tv (in Russian). 2 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  207. ^ Jump up to: a b Kazanskiy, Denis (2020). "Соратник Стрелкова рассказал всю правду о преступлениях "ополчения" ДНР".
  208. ^ Ukraine: growing despair among over three million civilians in a conflict zone – UN report, United Nations (3 March 2016)
    Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 16 November 2015 to 15 February 2016 (PDF). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  209. ^ "Eastern Donbas: Freedom in the World 2021 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  210. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Almost 1,000 dead since east Ukraine truce – UN, BBC News (21 November 2014)
    Ukraine death toll rises to more than 4,300 despite ceasefire – U.N., Reuters (21 November 2014)
  211. ^ "7th Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 15 November 2014" (PDF). OHCHR. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  212. ^ Majority of human rights violations in Ukraine committed by militants – UN, Interfax-Ukraine (15 December 2014)
  213. ^ Bershidsky, Leonid (12 June 2015). "Ukraine's Neo-Nazis Won't Get U.S. Money". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  214. ^ Parfitt, Tom (11 August 2014). "Ukraine crisis: the neo-Nazi brigade fighting pro-Russian separatists". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  215. ^ "Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 15 November 2014" (PDF). OHCHR. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  216. ^ Jump up to: a b "Eastern Ukraine: Humanitarian disaster looms as food aid blocked" (Press release). Amnesty International. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  217. ^ Jump up to: a b "Human Rights Watch: Ukrainian forces are rocketing civilians". The Washington Post. 25 July 2014.
  218. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ukraine: Unguided Rockets Killing Civilians – Stop Use of Grads in Populated Areas". Human Rights Watch. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  219. ^ Jump up to: a b "Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine: 1 December 2014 to 15 February 2015" (PDF). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2 March 2015. p. 4. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  220. ^ GMT (4 January 2015). "Who killed Batman? Pro-Russian separatist's death blamed on Ukraine and other separatists". International Business Times. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  221. ^ "Surviving hell – testimonies of victims on places of illegal detention in Donbas". Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. osce.org. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  222. ^ Gosiewska, Małgorzata (2 March 2016). "Report: Russian War Crimes in Eastern Ukraine in 2014 (First published December 2015)" (PDF). donbasswarcrimes.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  223. ^ Jump up to: a b "Jews ordered to register in east Ukraine". USA Today. Retrieved 17 April 2014. Michael Salberg, director of the international affairs at the New York City-based Anti-Defamation League, said it's unclear if the leaflets were issued by the pro-Russian leadership or a splinter group operating within the pro-Russian camp.
  224. ^ Margalit, Michal. "Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation". Ynet. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  225. ^ Mezzofiore, Gianluca (16 April 2014). "Donetsk Pro-Russians Order Jews to 'Register or be Deported' for Supporting Kiev Rule". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  226. ^ Nyhan, Brendan (24 April 2014). "The Downside of Registering Outrage". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  227. ^ "Flier calling on Donetsk Jews to register now widely seen as fake". Haaretz. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  228. ^ "Relax Ukraine is Not Ordering Its Jews to Register". New Republic. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  229. ^ "Ukraine: authenticity of anti-Semitic leaflets under scrutiny in Donetsk". France 24. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  230. ^ "Ukraine Leaflets Calling for Jewish Registration 'Were Faked'". International Business Times. 19 April 2014. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  231. ^ Luhn, Alec. "Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  232. ^ Vasovic, Aleksandar; Alastair MacDonald (19 April 2014). "Ukraine rabbi seeks end to anti-Semitism row – in vain". Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  233. ^ Alec Luhn (18 April 2014). "Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  234. ^ Nemtsova, Anna (17 April 2014). "Jews in East Ukraine Are Being Threatened, But By Whom?". The Daily Beast.
  235. ^ РЕЛІГІЯ, ЦЕРКВА, СУСПІЛЬСТВО І ДЕРЖАВА: ДВА РОКИ ПІСЛЯ МАЙДАНУ (Religion, Church, Society and State: Two Years after Maidan) Archived 22 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine, 2016 report by Razumkov Center in collaboration with the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches. pp. 27–29.
  236. ^ Blair, David (18 June 2014). "Beaten and threatened: the 'Donetsk People's Republic' turns on city's priests". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  237. ^ Jump up to: a b Miletitch, Nicolas (3 June 2014). "Ukraine crisis deepens rift between Orthodox Churches". Yahoo! News. Agence France-Presse. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  238. ^ Pistone, Luca (15 August 2015). "Paganos de Rodnovery también participan en el conflicto ucraniano" [Rodnovery Pagans are also involved in the Ukrainian conflict] (in Spanish). es-us.noticias.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015.
  239. ^ "Locked up in the Donbas A look at the mass arrests and torture of civilians in Donetsk and Lugansk". Meduza, 7 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  240. ^ Донецкий митрополит недоволен «законом ДНР» «О свободе совести».
  241. ^ Goble, Paul A. "Some in Donbas who want to create a new 'Russian world' are reaching back to pre-Christian times". Euromaidan Press, 2015/06/24. Retrieved 2017/04/18.
  242. ^ "Ukrainian Roma: The government treats us like stepchildren". Romea.cz. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  243. ^ Jump up to: a b "Pro-Russian Separatists Loot, Assault Romani in Sloviansk". . 19 April 2014.[better source needed]
  244. ^ Jump up to: a b "Statement of Concern Regarding Attacks on Roma in Ukraine". USOSCE. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  245. ^ Jump up to: a b "Russia and Fascism: When the thief cries "Stop thief!"". Romea.cz. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  246. ^ "В Славянске снова устроили ромский погром" [Another pogrom against the Romani occurred in Sloviansk]. Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 23 March 2014.
  247. ^ Сепаратисты объяснили погромы ромов в Славянске [Separatists explained the Roma pogroms in Sloviansk] (in Russian). . 20 April 2014.
  248. ^ Яценюк поручил привлекать к ответственности за распространение антисемитизма и ксенофобии [Yatsenyuk orders prosecutions of those spreading anti-Semitism and xenophobia] (in Russian). Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 19 April 2014.
  249. ^ "Ukraine News One: Donetsk gay club attacked by separatists (VIDEO)". Kyiv Post. 10 June 2014. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  250. ^ Gays in Donetsk face fear as Russian influence takes grip, Kyiv Post (31 July 2015)
  251. ^ "Violation of LGBTI Rights in Crimea and Donbass: The Problem of Homophobia in Territories Beyond Ukraine's Control" (PDF). Center for Civil Liberties. 2016. p. 24. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  252. ^ "Сепаратисты в Славянске объявили "охоту" на украиноязычных – СМИ" [Sloviansk separatists declared a "hunt" for people speaking the Ukrainian language]. Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 18 April 2014.[unreliable source?]
  253. ^ Jump up to: a b Watson, Ivan; Formanek, Ingrid (24 July 2014). "Journalist working for CNN detained in Ukraine". CNN.
  254. ^ "Ukraine: Mounting evidence of war crimes and Russian involvement" (Press release). Amnesty International. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  255. ^ "Impunity reigns for abductions and ill-treatment by pro-Kyiv vigilantes in eastern Ukraine" (Press release). Amnesty International. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  256. ^ "Robbery, rape and murder: Life in occupied Ukraine becomes a nightmare". Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  257. ^ "Ужасные кадры из пыточной террористов в Дружковке (ВИДЕО)". Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  258. ^ "URGENT ACTION: IMPRISONED JOURNALIST MUST BE RELEASED" (PDF) (Press release). Amnesty International. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  259. ^ "OSCE Representative calls for immediate release of Donetsk journalist Stanislav Aseev one year after his illegal detention" (Press release). Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  260. ^ "The land of Stas". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  261. ^ "EFJ calls again for immediate release of Donetsk journalist Stanislav Aseev". European Federation of Journalists. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  262. ^ "Украина: Блогер удерживается про-российскими сепаратистами" (in Russian). Human Rights Watch. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  263. ^ "STANISLAV ASEYEV'S DETENTION APPROACHES TWO-YEAR MARK AMID GLOBAL PLEAS FOR HIS RELEASE". PEN America. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  264. ^ "US at OSCE urges to release Stanislav Aseyev and other imprisoned Ukrainians". Ukrinform. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  265. ^ "Гиркин признался в убийстве трех украинцев". gordonua.com. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  266. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Losh, Jack (16 August 2015). "Rebel-held Ukraine overhauls education system as it aligns itself with Russia". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  267. ^ "Self-proclaimed Donetsk republic introduces 'statehood lessons' at schools". Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 8 April 2016. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  268. ^ http://mincult.govdnr.ru/den-respubliki
  269. ^ "Министерство молодёжи, спорта и туризма Донецкой Народной Республики" Check |url= value (help).
  270. ^ "Donetsk People's Republic".
  271. ^ Шахтеры Донбасса выступили против сепаратизма (in Russian). Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 7 April 2014.
  272. ^ Семь сельсоветов Донетчины просят присоединить их к Днепропетровской области [Seven village councils of Donechchyna want to join the Dnipropetrovsk region] (in Russian). Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  273. ^ Borys Filatov (30 April 2014). Коломойский готов навести порядок в Донецкой и Луганской областях [Kolomoisky is ready to restore order in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions] (in Russian). Obozrevatel. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  274. ^ "Donetsk residents to vote in referendum on joining Dnipropetrovsk". Euromaidan PR. 10 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  275. ^ "Ukraine president vows revenge after 19 soldiers killed in rebel rocket attack". The Washington Post. 11 July 2014.
  276. ^ Putin reveals secrets of Russia's Crimea takeover plot, BBC News (9 March 2015)
  277. ^ "Теміргалієв оголосив про швидке створення "Української Федерації"" [Temirgaliyev announced the imminent creation of the "Ukrainian Federation"]. Ukrayinska Pravda. 12 April 2014.
  278. ^ Susana Mas (14 April 2014). "Ukraine crisis: Stephen Harper blames 'Russian provocateurs' for escalation". CBC News. Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  279. ^ "Russia trying to 'dismember' Ukraine through protests, Kiev says". CNN. 7 April 2014.
  280. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ukraine crisis escalates as pro-Russia activists declare independence in Donetsk". The Guardian. 7 April 2014.
  281. ^ "Sergei Lavrov: It's not Russia that is destabilising Ukraine". The Guardian. 7 April 2014.
  282. ^ Gregory, Paul Roderick. "Russia Uses Semantics To Walk Back Recognition of Donbass Elections Before G20 Summit". Forbes. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  283. ^ "Lavrov sees no perspective of deploying intl forces to Donbas". Interfax-Ukraine. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  284. ^ "No doubt that Russia behind unrest in Ukraine – UK Foreign Secretary". Interfax-Ukraine. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  285. ^ Conor Humphries; Thomas Grove (13 April 2014). "Ukraine gives rebels deadline to disarm or face military operation". Reuters.
  286. ^ "Q&A with US Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt: Ukraine Crisis Escalates as War Fears Grow". Voice of America. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 June 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  287. ^ Motyl, Alexander (14 April 2014). "Putin's Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism". World Affairs Journal. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  288. ^ "Interview: The Benefits of a Partitioned Ukraine". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 20 February 2014. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  289. ^ Parish, Matthew (6 June 2014). "An Enquiry Concerning the Donetsk People's Republic". Transconflict. Retrieved 27 June 2014.[better source needed]

External links[]

Retrieved from ""