War in Donbas

Quick Facts: Who was War in Donbas?

Subject:

War in Donbas

Known for:

A phase of the Russo-Ukrainian War in Eastern Ukraine, spanning from 2014 to 2022.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The war in Donbas, also called the Donbas war, was a phase of the Russo-Ukrainian war in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. The war began in April 2014, when Russian-backed paramilitaries began an uprising against the Ukrainian government, seized territory and declared independent states. Ukraine's military launched an operation against them, but failed to fully retake the territory. Covertly, Russia's military were directly involved, and the separatists were largely under Russian control. This phase ended when the war was subsumed by the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Career & Major Achievements

In March 2014, following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia occupied Crimea. Anti-revolution and pro-Russian protests began in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, collectively 'the Donbas'. On 12 April, a commando unit led by Russian citizen Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin crossed the border from Russia and seized Sloviansk and other settlements in the Donbas. Separatists declared the Donetsk and Luhansk republics (DPR and LPR) as independent states. Russia covertly supported them with soldiers and weaponry.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

It only admitted sending "military specialists", but later acknowledged the separatists as Russian combat veterans. On 15 April, Ukraine began an "Anti-Terrorist Operation" (ATO). By August 2014, Ukraine had re-taken most of its territory. Russia reacted by covertly sending troops, tanks and artillery into the Donbas, helping pro-Russian forces regain much of what they had lost. DPR leader Alexander Borodai said 50,000 Russian citizens had fought for the separatists by mid-2015, excluding the regular Russian troops that invaded.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2014: 2014 Milestone — The war began in April 2014, when Russian-backed paramilitaries began an uprising against the Ukrainian government, seized territory and declared independent states.
2. 2015: 2015 Milestone — DPR leader Alexander Borodai said 50,000 Russian citizens had fought for the separatists by mid-2015, excluding the regular Russian troops that invaded.
3. 2022: 2022 Milestone — This phase ended when the war was subsumed by the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: War in Donbas

True or False: “The initial phase of the Donbas war was solely a conflict between Ukrainian forces and local separatists without foreign involvement.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While initially framed as an internal uprising, Russia's military involvement was covertly present from the start, with separatists largely under Russian control.

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Frequently Asked Questions about War in Donbas