Difference between revisions of "Donbas"
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Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after the 2014 U.S.-backed Maidan coup in Kyiv that overthrew democratically-elected President [[Viktor Yanukovych]] on Febreuary 21, 2014. On the next day Ukrsainian Rada, with only opposition leaders present, impeached Yanukovych. | Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after the 2014 U.S.-backed Maidan coup in Kyiv that overthrew democratically-elected President [[Viktor Yanukovych]] on Febreuary 21, 2014. On the next day Ukrsainian Rada, with only opposition leaders present, impeached Yanukovych. | ||
| − | After anti-Russian language laws were passed by the [[coup]] government, hand-picked by [[ | + | After anti-Russian language laws were passed by the [[coup]] government, hand-picked by [[Victoria Nuland]] of the [[United States]], and after [[neo-Nazi]]s burned dozens of people alive in a building in [[Odessa]] on May 3, 2014, both Lugansk and Donetsk declared independence nine days later on May 12. |
The coup government launched a civil war against the separatists, whom they called “terrorists.” In essence the Donbass was defending their democratic rights to vote, as a majority of the region voted for Yanukovych, in an election certified by the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (OSCE). | The coup government launched a civil war against the separatists, whom they called “terrorists.” In essence the Donbass was defending their democratic rights to vote, as a majority of the region voted for Yanukovych, in an election certified by the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (OSCE). | ||
Revision as of 21:19, February 21, 2022
Donbas or Donbass is a portmanteau formed from Donets Basin associated with the river Donets river in Eastern European. The river originates in Russia and flows through the Ukraineian Oblast of Kharkiv, the Donetsk Peoples Republic, the Luhansk Peoples Republic, and then again through Russian territory in Rostov to join the Don River about 60 miles above the Sea of Azov. The Donbas is an important cultural and economic region in Eastern Europe and portions considered part of Russia's near abroad.
On February 21, 2022 the Russian Federation recognized the sovereign independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics.
History
Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence after the 2014 U.S.-backed Maidan coup in Kyiv that overthrew democratically-elected President Viktor Yanukovych on Febreuary 21, 2014. On the next day Ukrsainian Rada, with only opposition leaders present, impeached Yanukovych.
After anti-Russian language laws were passed by the coup government, hand-picked by Victoria Nuland of the United States, and after neo-Nazis burned dozens of people alive in a building in Odessa on May 3, 2014, both Lugansk and Donetsk declared independence nine days later on May 12.
The coup government launched a civil war against the separatists, whom they called “terrorists.” In essence the Donbass was defending their democratic rights to vote, as a majority of the region voted for Yanukovych, in an election certified by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Demographics
According to the 2001 census, Russian is the main language of 74.9% of residents in the Donetsk republic and 68.8% in the Luhansk republic.[1] About 6% are Muslim.
Economy
Donbas is dominated by heavy industry, such as coal mining and metallurgy. It is a significant supplier of coal with estimated reserves of 60 billion tonnes of coal. In March 2017, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who came to power in the Maidan coup, imposed an economic boycott on goods exported from Donetsk and Luhansk, meaning that Ukraine does not buy coal from the Donets Coal Basin.[2]
References
- ↑ Всеукраїнський перепис населення 2001 – English version – Results – General results of the census –& Linguistic composition of the population.
- ↑ Ukrainian energy industry: thorny road of reform, Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (10 January 2018)