:Donetsk People's Republic

{{See also|Donetsk Republic (political party)|2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|2014 Euromaidan regional state administration occupations}}

File:2014-03-07. Донецкая облгосадминистрация 05.jpg

File:Ukrainian military roadblocks in Donetsk oblast.jpg

The Luhansk and Donetsk Peoples Republics are located in the historical Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine. Since Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Eastern and Western Ukraine typically have voted for different candidates in presidential elections. Viktor Yanukovych, a Donetsk native, was elected as President of Ukraine in 2010. Eastern Ukrainian dissatisfaction with the government can also be attributed to the Euromaidan Protests which began in November 2013,{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-politics-euromaidan-protests/29608541.html |title=Fight For Dignity: Remembering The Ukrainian Revolution|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date=22 November 2018 |access-date=4 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209193214/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-politics-euromaidan-protests/29608541.html |archive-date=9 February 2022 |last1=Steinzova |first1=Lucie |last2=Oliynyk |first2=Kateryna}} as well as Russian support{{cite journal |last=Wilson |first=Andrew |date=20 April 2016 |title=The Donbas in 2014: Explaining Civil Conflict Perhaps, but not Civil War |journal=Europe-Asia Studies |volume=68 |issue=4 |pages=631–652 |doi=10.1080/09668136.2016.1176994 |issn=0966-8136 |s2cid=148334453}} due to tension in Russia–Ukraine relations over Ukraine's geopolitical orientation.{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=22 September 2013 |title=Ukraine's EU trade deal will be catastrophic, says Russia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/ukraine-european-union-trade-russia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724113026/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/ukraine-european-union-trade-russia |archive-date=24 July 2020 |access-date=25 February 2015 |work=The Guardian}} 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.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|2574762}} The pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine was originally characterised by riots and protests which had eventually escalated into the storming of government offices.{{cite web |title=Pro-Russia Protesters Storm Donetsk Offices |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/pro-russia-protesters-storm-donetsk-offices-n54046 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621080048/https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/pro-russia-protesters-storm-donetsk-offices-n54046 |archive-date=21 June 2019 |access-date=4 January 2020 |publisher=NBC News |date=16 March 2014}}

In 2011, Ukrainian Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts had a combined population of 6.1 million. As a result of Russian military aggression in 2014, 2 million had to leave the region as refugees. After full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, under the false pretext of "genocide of Russian speakers", another approximately 3 million either fled or were killed, resulting in an 80% decrease of the Donbas population. According to political scientist Taras Kuzio, this amounts to "destruction, depopulation, and genocide".{{Cite book |last1=Kuzio |first1=Taras |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IpBtzwEACAAJ |title=Fascism and Genocide: Russia's War Against Ukrainians |last2=Jajecznyk-Kelman |first2=Stefan |date=2023 |publisher=COLUMBIA University Press |isbn=978-3-8382-1791-8 |pages=42, 43 |language=en}}

{{see also|Russo-Ukrainian War|War in Donbas (2014–2022)}}

{{see also|Capture of Donetsk (2014)}}File:2014-04-07. Протесты в Донецке 018.jpg

File:2014-04-14 Sloviansk city council - 2.jpg city council under the control of heavily armed men on 14 April 2014|left]]

On 6 April 2014, pro-Russian rebel leaders announced that a referendum on whether Donetsk Oblast should "join the Russian Federation", would take place "no later than May 11th, 2014."{{cite news |date=7 April 2014 |title=Regional legislators proclaim industrial center Donetsk People's Republic |agency=ITAR-TASS |url=http://tass.ru/en/world/726779 |url-status=dead |access-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213918/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/726779 |archive-date=8 April 2014}} Additionally, the group's leaders appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to send Russian peacekeeping forces to the region.{{cite web |title=обращение народа Донбасса к Путину В.В. |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQO42EkRpbs#t=211 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420075123/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQO42EkRpbs#t=211 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=25 June 2020 |via=YouTube}}

On 7 April, between 1,000 and 2,000{{cite news |last=Kendall |first=Bridget |author-link1=Bridget Kendall |date=7 April 2014 |title=Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820040710/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210 |archive-date=20 August 2019}} people attended a rally in Donetsk pushing for a Crimea-style referendum on independence from Ukraine. Ukrainian media claimed that the proposed referendum had no status quo option.{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/pro-russians-fortify-barricade-of-gubernatorial-building-in-donetsk-342941.html|title=Pro-Russians fortify barricade of gubernatorial building in Donetsk|date=10 April 2014|newspaper=Kyiv Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411080616/http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/pro-russians-fortify-barricade-of-gubernatorial-building-in-donetsk-342941.html|archive-date=11 April 2014}} Afterwards, 200–1,000 separatists{{cite news |date=6 April 2014 |title= |work= РИА Новости|script-title=ru:Протестующие в Донецке требуют провести референдум о вхождении в РФ |language=ru |trans-title=Protesters in Donetsk want to hold a referendum on joining the Russian Federation |agency=RIA Novosti |url=https://ria.ru/20140406/1002757450.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406204940/http://ria.ru/world/20140406/1002757450.html |archive-date=6 April 2014}} stormed and took control of the first two floors of the government headquarters of the Regional State Administration (RSA), breaking down doors and smashing windows. The separatists demanded a referendum to join Russia, and said they would otherwise take unilateral control and dismiss the elected government.{{cite web |date=6 April 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:Воскресный штурм ДонОГА в фотографиях |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/204896-voskresnyy-shturm-donoga-v-fotografyyakh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083141/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221959/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 |website=novosti.dn.ua |language=ru}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/|date=6 April 2014|script-title=uk:Донецькі сепаратисти готуються сформувати "народну облраду" та приєднатися до РФ|trans-title=Donetsk separatists are preparing to form a "people's regional council" and join Russia|language=uk|access-date=22 May 2015|newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224223904/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=6 April 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/204901-separatysty-vystavyly-ultymatum-referendum-o-vkhozhdenyy-doneckoy-oblasty-v-sostav-rf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083422/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 |access-date=7 April 2014 |website=Donbas News |language=ru}} When the session was not held, the unelected separatists held a vote within the RSA building and overwhelmingly backed the declaration of a Donetsk People's Republic.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928|title=Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic'|date=7 April 2014|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407142644/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928|archive-date=7 April 2014}} According to the Russian ITAR-TASS, the declaration was voted by some regional legislators, while Ukrainian media claimed that neither the Donetsk City Council nor district councils of the city delegated any representatives to the session.{{cite web|url=http://ngo.donetsk.ua/news/donecka-miskrada-prosit-gromadyan-ne-brati-uchast-u-protipravnih-diyah|date=7 April 2014|website=NGO.Donetsk.ua|language=uk|script-title=uk:Донецька міськрада просить громадян не брати участь у протиправних діях|trans-title=Donetsk city council asks citizens not to participate in unlawful activities|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408224544/http://www.ngo.donetsk.ua/news/donecka-miskrada-prosit-gromadyan-ne-brati-uchast-u-protipravnih-diyah|archive-date=8 April 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199512.html |title=Donetsk City Council urges leaders of protests held in the city to hold talks, lay down arms immediately – statement |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=7 April 2014 |access-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408212832/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199512.html |archive-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}

The political leadership initially consisted of Denis Pushilin, self-appointed as chairman of the government,{{cite news |last=Luhn |first=Alec |date=8 April 2014 |title=Donetsk's pro-Russian activists prepare referendum for 'new republic' |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/donetsk-pro-russian-activists-referendum-ukraine |url-status=live |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409004941/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/donetsk-pro-russian-activists-referendum-ukraine |archive-date=9 April 2014}}{{cite news |last=Rachkevych |first=Mark |date=11 April 2014 |title=Donetsk separatists hold oblast government headquarters |newspaper=Kyiv Post |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-russian-separatists-dig-in-at-donetsk-government-342977.html |url-status=dead |access-date=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410232055/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-russian-separatists-dig-in-at-donetsk-government-342977.html |archive-date=10 April 2014}} while Igor Kakidzyanov was named as the commander of the People's Army.{{cite news |date=10 April 2014 |title=Demonstrators in Donetsk plan to create 'people's army' |agency=Information Telegraph Agency of Russia |url=https://tass.com/world/727352/amp |url-status=live |access-date=14 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181449/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/727352 |archive-date=16 April 2014}} Vyacheslav Ponomarev became the self-proclaimed mayor of the city of Sloviansk.{{cite news |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=12 June 2014 |title=Pro-Russian mayor of Slavyansk sacked and arrested |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/12/pro-russian-mayor-slavyansk-sacked-arrested-ukraine |url-status=live |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103164836/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/12/pro-russian-mayor-slavyansk-sacked-arrested-ukraine |archive-date=3 November 2014 |issn=0261-3077}} Ukrainian-born pro-Russian activist Pavel Gubarev,{{cite news|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140309/pro-russian-gubarev-symbol-east-ukraine-separatism|title=Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism|date=10 March 2014|access-date=10 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314091739/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140309/pro-russian-gubarev-symbol-east-ukraine-separatism|archive-date=14 March 2014|publisher=GlobalPost}}{{cite news |date=8 April 2014 |title="Донецька республіка" поки ще є і хоче в Митний союз |language=uk |trans-title="Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union |newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411230336/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ |archive-date=11 April 2014 |quote=require the release of its leader Paul Gubarev and other detained separatists;}} an Anti-Maidan activist, a former member of the neo-Nazi Russian National Unity paramilitary group in 1999–2001 and former member of the nazbol Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, proclaimed himself the People's Governor of the Donetsk Region.{{cite web|url=https://iwpr.net/global-voices/far-right-recruited-crimea-poll-observers|title=Far-Right Recruited as Crimea Poll Observers|last=Coynash|first=Halya|date=18 March 2014|publisher=Institute for War and Peace Reporting|quote=Pavel Gubarev, a former member of the neo-Nazi, Russian chauvinist Russian National Unity movement|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113132/https://iwpr.net/global-voices/far-right-recruited-crimea-poll-observers|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Snyder|first=Timothy|author-link=Timothy D. Snyder|date=17 March 2014|title=Far-Right Forces are Influencing Russia's Actions in Crimea|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117048/far-right-forces-are-influencing-russias-actions-crimea|magazine=The New Republic|quote=In Donetsk Gubarov was known as a neo-Nazi and as a member of the fascist organization Russian National Unity.|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305200639/https://newrepublic.com/article/117048/far-right-forces-are-influencing-russias-actions-crimea|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Matsuka |first=Oleksiy |date=10 April 2014 |title=Russia's deep ties to Donetsk's Kremlin collaborators |newspaper=Kyiv Post |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/9082 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410234928/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/russias-deep-ties-to-donetsks-kremlin-collaborators-342833.html |archive-date=10 April 2014 |quote=In Donetsk, Pavel Gubarev, a Ukrainian citizen and former member of the Russian National Unity movement, attempted to head the protest.}}{{cite news|url=http://ru.tsn.ua/politika/rossiya-stanovitsya-nacistskoy-fashisty-ubivayut-migrantov-ne-priznayut-ukrainu-i-prizyvayut-k-diversiyam-359854.html|title=Kremlin turns a blind eye to the rampant Nazism in the country|date=10 April 2014|newspaper=TSN|quote=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.|access-date=29 June 2015|archive-date=1 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://ru.tsn.ua/politika/rossiya-stanovitsya-nacistskoy-fashisty-ubivayut-migrantov-ne-priznayut-ukrainu-i-prizyvayut-k-diversiyam-359854.html|url-status=live}} He was arrested on charges of separatism and illegal seizure of power but released in a hostage swap.{{cite web |last=Moyon |first=Germain |date=9 March 2014 |title=Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism |url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/pro-russian-gubarev-a-symbol-of-east-ukraine-separatism/article/375337 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203543/http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/pro-russian-gubarev-a-symbol-of-east-ukraine-separatism/article/375337 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Digital Journal}} Alexander Borodai, a Russian citizen claiming to be involved in the Russian annexation of Crimea, was appointed as prime minister, while Igor Girkin was made Defence Minister. Borodai had a past working for an openly anti-semitic and pro-fascist Russian newspaper Zavtra which had called for pogroms against Jews.{{cite web |last=Hearst |first=David |date=14 July 1999 |title=Russian neo-Nazi stabs prominent Jew |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/jul/14/davidhearst |website=the Guardian}}{{cite web |last=Balmforth |first=Tom |date=17 August 2014 |title=From The Fringes Toward Mainstream: Russian Nationalist Broadsheet Basks In Ukraine Conflict |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/26534846.html |website=RFE/RL}}

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,{{cite web|url=http://www.ostro.org/general/politics/news/440118/|title=Патриотические силы Донбасса организовались и скоординировались. Манифест|date=15 April 2014|publisher=OstroV|access-date=11 August 2014|archive-date=12 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211811/http://www.ostro.org/general/politics/news/440118/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bigmir.net/ukraine/807417-V-Donecke-otmenili-sozdanie-Doneckoi-respybliki|date=8 April 2014|access-date=14 October 2015|publisher=News.bigmir.net|language=ru|script-title=ru:В Донецке отменили создание Донецкой республики|trans-title=The creation of the "Donetsk Republic" was cancelled in Donetsk|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002844/http://news.bigmir.net/ukraine/807417-V-Donecke-otmenili-sozdanie-Doneckoi-respybliki|url-status=live}} issued a statement "cancelling" the other group's declaration of independence, citing complaints from locals.{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/04/8/7021722/|date=8 April 2014|newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda|language=ru|script-title=ru:Донецкая республика не продержалась и дня?|trans-title=Donestk Republic did not last a day?|access-date=8 April 2014|archive-date=11 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411232451/http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/04/8/7021722/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2014/04/08/n_6068225.shtml|title=Решение о создании "Донецкой народной республики" отменено|date=8 April 2014|newspaper=Gazeta.ru|trans-title=Decision to establish a "people's republic of Donetsk" canceled|access-date=9 December 2016|archive-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130013733/https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2014/04/08/n_6068225.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/08/ukraine-forces-retake-kharkiv-building-pro-russians-hold-out-elsewhere/|title=Ukraine forces retake Kharkiv building, pro-Russians hold out elsewhere|date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408222253/http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/08/ukraine-forces-retake-kharkiv-building-pro-russians-hold-out-elsewhere/|archive-date=8 April 2014|publisher=Euronews}}

The Donetsk Republic organisation continued to occupy the RSA and upheld all previous calls for a referendum and the release of their leader Pavel Gubarev.{{cite news |date=8 April 2014 |title="Донецька республіка" поки ще є і хоче в Митний союз |language=uk |trans-title=""Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union" |newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411230336/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ |archive-date=11 April 2014}}{{Efn|The group stated they:
1) do not recognise the Ukrainian government;
2) consider themselves the legitimate authority;
3) "dismiss" of all law enforcement officials appointed by the central government and Governor Serhiy Taruta;
4) "appoint" on the 11 May referendum about self-determinat Donetsk;
5) require the extradition of their leader Pavel Gubarev and other already 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).}} On 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.{{cite news |last=Rosenberg |first=Steve |date=8 April 2014 |title=Pro-Russian terrorists build barricades at Donetsk city hall |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26941897 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320025056/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26941897 |archive-date=20 March 2017}} Ukrainian media stated that a number of Russian citizens, including one leader of a far-right militant group, had also taken part in the events.{{cite news |date=8 March 2014 |title=Граждане России продолжают митинговать в Донецке за отделение Донбасса |trans-title=Russian citizens continue to rally in Donetsk Donbas secession |publisher=Novosti Donetsk |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/202817-grazhdane-rossyy-prodolzhayut-mytyngovat-v-donecke-za-otdelenye-donbassa |url-status=live |access-date=14 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620160017/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/219773/ |archive-date=20 June 2014}}

12 April saw the start of a military conflict. Russian nationalist and former intelligence officer Igor "Strelkov" Girkin led an armed team of 52 volunteers and mercenaries from Crimea, where he had participated in the Russian occupation of the peninsula, to seize police and government buildings in Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast.{{cite book |last=Galeotti |first=Mark |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1091651615 |title=Armies of Russia's War in Ukraine |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2019 |isbn=9781472833440 |series=Elite 228 |location=Oxford |pages=11–12 |oclc=1091651615}}{{rp|14–17}} Girkin's unit drove off an initial response by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and successive assaults by government, in what was to become an eighty-four day siege.{{rp|14–17}} Girkin later said that he had been "the one who pulled the trigger of war".{{cite news |last=Bidder |first=Benjamin |date=18 March 2015 |title=The Ukraine War from Perspective of Russian Nationalists |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-ukraine-war-from-perspective-of-russian-nationalists-a-1023801.html |access-date=18 January 2023 |issn=2195-1349}}

On 15 April 2014, acting Ukrainian 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.{{cite news |date=15 April 2014 |title=Ukraine says Donetsk 'anti-terror operation' under way |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27035196 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201190736/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27035196 |archive-date=1 December 2018}}
{{cite news |date=17 April 2014 |title=Ukraine crisis: Deal to 'de-escalate' agreed in Geneva |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27072351 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802233613/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27072351 |archive-date=2 August 2018}}{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Michael R |date=17 April 2014 |title=U.S. and Russia Agree on Pact to Defuse Ukraine Crisis |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/ukraine-diplomacy.html?hp&_r=0 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227224402/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/ukraine-diplomacy.html?hp&_r=0 |archive-date=27 February 2017}} However, officials of the People's Republic ignored the agreement and vowed to continue their occupations until a referendum was accepted or the government in Kyiv resigned.{{cite news |last1=Sonne |first1=Paul |last2=White |first2=Gregory L. |date=18 April 2014 |title=Eastern Ukraine's Pro-Russian Activists Stand Fast |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304626304579509100018004342 |url-status=live |access-date=20 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420215334/http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304626304579509100018004342 |archive-date=20 April 2014}}

The OSCE reported that all the main institutions of the city observed by the Monitoring Mission seemed to be working normally as of 16 April.{{cite web |title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – Monday, 14 April 2014 |url=https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117777 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416174445/http://www.osce.org/ukrainemonitoring/117777 |archive-date=16 April 2014 |website=OSCE}} On 22 April, separatists agreed to release the session hall of the building along with two floors to state officials.{{cite news |date=22 April 2014 |title=Сепаратисти в Донецьку вирішили звільнити кілька поверхів |language=uk |trans-title=Separatists in Donetsk decided to release several floors |newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/22/7023293/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424091133/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/22/7023293/ |archive-date=24 April 2014}} The ninth and tenth floors were later released on 24 April.{{cite news |date=24 April 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:Сепаратисты освободили 9 и 10 этажи Донецкой ОГА ФОТОФАКТ |trans-title=Separatists give up floors 9 and 10 of the Donetsk Regional Administration offices, in pictures |publisher=Novosti Donetsk |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/206451-separatysty-osvobodyly-9-y-10-ehtazhy-doneckoy-oga-fotofakt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424211024/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/223585/ |archive-date=24 April 2014}} 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.{{cite news|last=Ostrovsky|first=Simon|url=https://news.vice.com/video/russian-roulette-the-invasion-of-ukraine-dispatch-twenty-three?trk_source=homepage-lede|title=Russian Roulette: The Invasion of Ukraine (Dispatch Twenty Three)|date=12 April 2014|newspaper=VICE News|access-date=11 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143722/https://news.vice.com/video/russian-roulette-the-invasion-of-ukraine-dispatch-twenty-three?trk_source=homepage-lede|archive-date=13 April 2014|quote="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."}}

On 7 May, Russian president Vladimir Putin asked the separatists to postpone the proposed referendum to create the necessary conditions for dialogue. Despite Putin's comments, the Donetsk Republic group said they would still carry out the referendum.{{cite web|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/un-officials-meet-ukraine-government|title=Putin: Troops have pulled back from Ukraine border|first=Peter|last=Leonard|date=7 May 2014|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007073148/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/un-officials-meet-ukraine-government|archive-date=7 October 2014|access-date=14 May 2014}} 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.{{cite news |last=Vendyk |first=Yury |date=7 May 2014 |title=Баркашов советует "впарить" Донецку итоги референдума |language=ru |work=BBC Russian |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/international/2014/05/140507_ukraine_barkashov_tapped |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509041158/http://m.bbc.co.uk/russian/international/2014/05/140507_ukraine_barkashov_tapped |archive-date=9 May 2014}} In the call, the voice said to be Barkashov insisted on falsifying the results of the referendum.{{cite news|url=http://ukrainianpolicy.com/sbu-audio-links-donetsk-republic-to-russian-involvement/|title=SBU Audio Links Donetsk Republic to Russian Involvement|date=7 May 2014|newspaper=Ukrainian Policy|access-date=7 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508061157/http://ukrainianpolicy.com/sbu-audio-links-donetsk-republic-to-russian-involvement/|archive-date=8 May 2014}} SBU stated that this tape is a definitive proof of the direct involvement of Russian government with preparations for the referendum.

Ukrainian authorities released separatist leader Pavel Gubarev and two others in exchange for three people detained by the Donetsk Republic.{{cite news |date=7 May 2014 |title=Пленных сотрудников Альфы обменяли на трех лидеров сепаратистов – СБУ |language=uk |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |url=http://www.unian.net/politics/915617-plennyih-sotrudnikov-alfyi-obmenyali-na-treh-liderov-separatistov-sbu.html |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508030820/http://www.unian.net/politics/915617-plennyih-sotrudnikov-alfyi-obmenyali-na-treh-liderov-separatistov-sbu.html |archive-date=8 May 2014}}

Polling during this period indicated that around 18 per cent of Donetsk Oblast residents supported the seizures of administrative buildings while 72 per cent disapproved. Twelve per cent were in favour of Ukraine and Russia uniting into a single state, a quarter were in favour of regional secession to join Russia, 38.4 per cent supported federalisation, 41.1 per cent supported a unitary Ukraine with decentralised power, and 10.6 per cent supported the status quo.{{cite news|first=Mat|last=Babiak|title=Southeast Statistics|newspaper=Ukrainian Policy|date=19 April 2014|url=http://ukrainianpolicy.com/southeast-statistics-of-ukraine-april-2014/|access-date=20 April 2014|archive-date=5 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305065533/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-04/russia-calls-ukraine-intervention-legal-citing-yanukovych-letter.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=news&id=258|title=The views and opinions of South-Eastern regions residents of Ukraine: April 2014|work=Kyiv Institute of Sociology|date=20 April 2014|access-date=14 October 2015|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125153703/http://kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=news&id=258|url-status=live}} In an August 2015 poll, with 6500 respondents from 19 cities of Donetsk Oblast, 29 per cent supported the DPR and 10 per cent considered themselves to be Russian patriots.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.info/society/1121710-poll-in-dpr-less-than-third-of-residents-support-separatists.html|title=Poll in DPR: Less than third of residents support separatists|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=12 September 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|archive-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913074126/http://www.unian.info/society/1121710-poll-in-dpr-less-than-third-of-residents-support-separatists.html|url-status=live}}

{{main|2014 Donbas status referendums|2014 Donbas general elections}}

The planned referendum was held on 11 May, disregarding Vladimir Putin's appeal to delay it.{{cite news |last1=Chivers |first1=Christopher John |author-link=C. J. Chivers |last2=Herzenhorn |first2=David M. |date=8 May 2014 |title=Separatists in Ukraine Vow to Proceed With Autonomy Vote |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/world/europe/ukraine.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508120504/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/world/europe/ukraine.html |archive-date=8 May 2014}} The organisers claimed that 89% voted in favour of self-rule, with 10% against, on a turnout of nearly 75%. The results of the referendums were not officially recognised by any government;{{cite news|last1=Kramer|first1=Andrew E.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/world/europe/ukraine.html|title=Russia Keeps Its Distance After Ukraine Secession Referendums|date=12 May 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=13 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512130827/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/world/europe/ukraine.html|archive-date=12 May 2014|last2=Cowell|first2=Alan}} Germany and the United States also stated that the referendums had "no democratic legitimacy",{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/10/ukraine-donetsk-polling-stations-gear-up-for-sunday-referendum/|title=Ukraine: Donetsk polling stations gear up for Sunday referendum|date=10 May 2014|work=Euronews|access-date=10 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215441/http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/10/ukraine-donetsk-polling-stations-gear-up-for-sunday-referendum/|archive-date=12 May 2014}} while the Russian government expressed respect for the results and urged a civilised implementation.{{cite news |last1=Sonne |first1=Paul |last2=Shishkin |first2=Philip |date=12 May 2014 |title=Russia Calls for 'Civilized Implementation' of East Ukraine Referendum Results |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-calls-for-civilized-implementation-of-east-ukraine-referendum-results-1399884791 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515003633/http://online.wsj.com/articles/russia-calls-for-civilized-implementation-of-east-ukraine-referendum-results-1399884791 |archive-date=15 May 2014}}

On the day after the referendum, the People's Soviet of the DPR proclaimed Donetsk to be a sovereign state with an indefinite border and asked Russia "to consider the issue of our republic's accession into the Russian Federation".{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} It also announced that it would not participate in the Ukrainian presidential election which took place on 25 May.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Shaun |last2=Grytsenko |first2=Oksana |date=12 May 2014 |title=Donetsk region asks to join Russia |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/12/ukraine-crisis-donetsk-region-asks-join-russia |url-status=live |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224835/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/12/ukraine-crisis-donetsk-region-asks-join-russia |archive-date=12 May 2014}}

The first full Government of the DPR was appointed on 16 May 2014.{{cite web |last1=Naberezhnov |first1=Grigory |last2=Sotnikova |first2=Asya |last3=Artemiev |first3=Alexander |date=16 May 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:В самопровозглашенной Донецкой народной республике (ДНР) избрали правительство. Премьер-министром стал гражданин России Александр Бородай |trans-title=The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) elected a government. Russian citizen Alexander Boroday became Prime Minister. |url=http://top.rbc.ru/politics/16/05/2014/924332.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929222746/http://top.rbc.ru/politics/16/05/2014/924332.shtml |archive-date=29 September 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=RBC Information Systems |language=ru}} 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. This government imposed martial law on 16 July.{{cite news |last=Luxmoore |first=Matthew |date=16 July 2014 |title=Donetsk People's Republic imposes martial law, cuts off Ukrainian TV channels |work=Kyiv Post |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/donetsk-peoples-republic-imposes-martial-law-cuts-off-ukrainian-tv-channels-356315.html |access-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717061052/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/donetsk-peoples-republic-imposes-martial-law-cuts-off-ukrainian-tv-channels-356315.html |archive-date=17 July 2014}}

Elections in the DPR and LPR were held on 2 November 2014, after the territories had boycotted the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election on 26 October.{{cite web |title=Date of elections in Donetsk, Luhansk People's republics the same – Nov. 2 |url=https://tass.com/world/753919/amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115250/http://tass.ru/en/world/753919 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=tass.com}} The results were not recognised by any country.{{cite web |title=EU not to recognize elections organized by DPR and LPR |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/230608.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025173936/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/230608.html |archive-date=25 October 2014 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Interfax-Ukraine}}{{cite news|url=http://en.ria.ru/politics/20141107/195255564/Russias-Respecting-Elections-in-Donetsk-Luhansk-Does-Not-Mean.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108025039/http://en.ria.ru/politics/20141107/195255564/Russias-Respecting-Elections-in-Donetsk-Luhansk-Does-Not-Mean.html|archive-date=8 November 2014|agency=RIA Novosti|title=Russia to respect, but not necessarily recognize elections}}

The DPR adopted a memorandum on 5 February 2015, declaring itself the successor to the Donetsk–Krivoy Rog Soviet Republic and Bolshevik revolutionary Fyodor Sergeyev—better known by his alias "Artyom"—as the country's founding father.{{cite web |title=The DPR became a legal successor of the Donetsk-Krivoy-Rog Republic |url=http://novorossia.today/the-dpr-became-a-legal-successor-of-the-donetsk-krivoy-rog-republic/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206075719/http://novorossia.today/the-dpr-became-a-legal-successor-of-the-donetsk-krivoy-rog-republic/ |archive-date=6 February 2015 |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=novorossia.today}}

{{See also|2014 Donbas general elections|2018 Donbas general elections}}

On 1 January 2015, the Russian ruble went into official circulation with parallel circulation of the Ukrainian hryvnia permitted until 1 September 2015, however, taxes and fees were to be paid in rubles only, and the wages of employees at budget-receiving organisations were to be paid out in rubles as well.{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/world/466311|title=Рубль стал основной валютой в ДНР|work=Интерфакс}}

On 12 February 2015, the DPR and LPR leaders, Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky, signed the Minsk II agreement.{{cite press release|url=http://www.osce.org/ru/cio/140221?download=true|title=Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements|publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|date=12 February 2015|access-date=12 February 2015|language=ru|archive-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213142137/http://www.osce.org/ru/cio/140221?download=true|url-status=live}} According to the agreement, amendments to the Ukrainian constitution should be introduced, including "the key element of which is decentralisation" and the holding of elections in the LPR and DPR within the lines of the Minsk Memorandum. In return, the rebel-held territory would be reintegrated into Ukraine.{{cite news|date=12 February 2015|title=Minsk agreement on Ukraine crisis: text in full|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11408266/Minsk-agreement-on-Ukraine-crisis-text-in-full.html|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11408266/Minsk-agreement-on-Ukraine-crisis-text-in-full.html|archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} In an effort to stabilise the ceasefire in the region, particularly the disputed and strategically important town of Debaltseve, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called for a UN-led peacekeeping operation in February 2015 to monitor compliance with the Minsk agreement.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31527414|title=Ukraine conflict: Poroshenko calls for UN peacekeepers|date=19 February 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=4 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904120925/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31527414|url-status=live}} The Verkhovna Rada did not ratify the changes in the constitution needed for the Minsk agreement.{{cite web|url=https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2015-09-02/ukraine-divided-over-constitutional-reform|title=Ukraine is divided over constitutional reform|last=Olszański|first=Tadeusz A.|date=2 September 2015|publisher=OSW: Centre for Eastern Studies|access-date=22 November 2016|archive-date=23 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201406/https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2015-09-02/ukraine-divided-over-constitutional-reform|url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=2 February 2016 |title=Ukraine's parliament avoids implementation of Minsk agreements |agency=Information Telegraph Agency of Russia |url=https://tass.com/world/853820 |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203092656/http://tass.ru/en/world/853820 |archive-date=3 February 2016}}{{cite news|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|url=http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/ukraine-oksana-syroyid.html|title=Ex-Professor Upsets Ukraine Politics, and Russia Peace Accord|date=18 March 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=22 November 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-date=5 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205074242/http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/ukraine-oksana-syroyid.html|url-status=live}}

On 20 May 2015, the leadership of the Federal State of Novorossiya, a proposed confederation of the DPR and LPR, announced the termination of the confederation project.{{cite news|url=http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-backed-novorossiya-breakaway-movement-collapses-428372.html|title=Russian-backed 'Novorossiya' breakaway movement collapses|date=20 May 2015|work=Ukraine Today|access-date=21 May 2015|archive-date=21 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521051525/http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-backed-novorossiya-breakaway-movement-collapses-428372.html|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2015/05/19_a_6694441.shtml|date=20 May 2015|publisher=Gazeta.ru|language=ru|script-title=ru:Проект "Новороссия" закрыт|trans-title=Project "New Russia" is closed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522050653/http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2015/05/19_a_6694441.shtml|archive-date=22 May 2015|access-date=21 May 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Dergachev |first1=Vladimir |last2=Kirillov |first2=Dmitry |date=20 May 2015 |title= |script-title=ru:Проект "Новороссия" закрыт |trans-title=Project "New Russia" is closed |url=http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2015/05/19_a_6694441.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219052032/http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-backed-novorossiya-breakaway-movement-collapses-428372.html |archive-date=19 December 2016 |access-date=21 May 2015 |publisher=Gazeta.ru |language=ru}}

On 15 June 2015, several hundred people protested in the centre of Donetsk against the presence of BM-21 "Grad" launchers in a residential area. The launchers had been used to fire at Ukrainian positions, provoking return fire and causing civilian casualties.{{cite web|url = http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1694493.html|title = Глава ДНР Захарченко вышел к митингующим за прекращение войны жителям на костылях (Онлайн)|date = 15 June 2015|last = Kanygin|first = Pavel|access-date = 15 June 2015|archive-date = 16 June 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150616092559/http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1694493.html|url-status = live}} A DPR leader said that its forces were indeed shelling from residential areas (mentioning school 41 specifically), but that {{qi|the punishment of the enemy is everyone's shared responsibility}}.{{cite web |last=Lilenko |first=Inna |date=15 June 2015 |title=Захарченко, оправдываясь, признался, что его боевики ведут обстрелы с территории школы {{!}} InfoResist |url=http://inforesist.org/zaxarchenko-opravdyvayas-priznalsya-chto-ego-boeviki-vedut-obstrely-s-territorii-shkoly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130013509/https://inforesist.org/zaxarchenko-opravdyvayas-priznalsya-chto-ego-boeviki-vedut-obstrely-s-territorii-shkoly/ |archive-date=30 January 2017 |access-date=15 June 2015}}

File:Выдача первых паспортов ДНР.webm. Zakharchenko was assassinated in 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45388657|title=Alexander Zakharchenko: Mass turnout for Ukraine rebel's funeral|date=2 September 2018|work=BBC|access-date=22 February 2022|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130000522/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45388657|url-status=live}}]]

On 2 July 2015, DPR leader Aleksandr Zakharchenko ordered local elections to be held on 18 October 2015 {{qi|in accordance with the Minsk II agreements}}.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275451.html "Local elections in DPR to take place on October 18 – Zakharchenko"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703011906/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275451.html |date=3 July 2015 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (2 July 2015)
[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275646.html "DPR, LPR attempts to hold separate elections in Donbas on Oct 18 to have destructive consequences – Poroshenko"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703004400/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275646.html |date=3 July 2015 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (2 July 2015) The 2015 Ukrainian local elections were set for 25 October 2015.{{Cite web |last= |date=11 June 2015 |title=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 – Jun. 11, 2015 |url=https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/content/war-against-ukraine/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-390837.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703080720/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/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-390837.html |archive-date=3 July 2015 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Kyiv Post}} This was condemned by Ukraine.

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 the 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 an "attempt to illegally cross the border" by the republic's Ministry of Public Security. Russian and Ukrainian media commented on these events as yet another coup in the republic's authorities.{{cite web|title = Глава "народного совета" ДНР отправлен в отставку – BBC Русская служба|date = 5 September 2015|url = http://www.bbc.com/russian/international/2015/09/150905_donbass_purhin_sacked|access-date = 6 September 2015|archive-date = 6 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150906044925/http://www.bbc.com/russian/international/2015/09/150905_donbass_purhin_sacked|url-status = live}}{{cite web |last1=MacDonald |first1=Euan |last2=Lavrov |first2=Vlad |last3=Trach |first3=Nataliya |date=5 September 2015 |title='Power struggle' in Donetsk prompts flurry of speculation in Kyiv and beyond |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/power-struggle-in-donetsk-prompts-flurry-of-speculation-in-kyiv-and-beyond-397262.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905195256/https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/power-struggle-in-donetsk-prompts-flurry-of-speculation-in-kyiv-and-beyond-397262.html |archive-date=5 September 2015 |access-date=6 September 2015 |website=Kyiv Post}}

After a Normandy four meeting in which the participants agreed that elections in territories controlled by DPR and LPR should be held according to Minsk II rules, both postponed their planned elections to 21 February 2016.{{cite news|first1=Natalia|last1=Zinets|first2=Pavel|last2=Polityuk|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-election-rebels-idUKKCN0S01L220151006|title=Pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine postpone disputed elections|work=Reuters|date=6 October 2015|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=1 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301192554/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-election-rebels-idUKKCN0S01L220151006|url-status=dead}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ukraine-rebels-to-delay-elections/2015/10/06/cf4de0e2-6c26-11e5-91eb-27ad15c2b723_story.html|title=Ukraine rebels to delay elections|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=6 October 2015}}{{cbignore}} Vladimir Putin used his influence to reach this delay.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34457317 Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian rebels 'delay disputed elections'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007114532/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34457317 |date=7 October 2018 }}, BBC News (6 October 2015)
[http://www.rferl.org/content/quartet-leaders-hold-ukraine-peace-talks-october-2-paris/27282684.html Hollande: Elections In Eastern Ukraine Likely To Be Delayed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005003212/http://www.rferl.org/content/quartet-leaders-hold-ukraine-peace-talks-october-2-paris/27282684.html |date=5 October 2015 }}, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (2 October 2015)
[http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-10-05/ukraine-has-no-choice-but-to-live-with-putin Ukraine Is Being Told to Live With Putin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006162910/http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-10-05/ukraine-has-no-choice-but-to-live-with-putin |date=6 October 2015 }}, Bloomberg News (5 October 2015) The elections were then postponed to 20 April 2016 and again to 24 July 2016.{{Cite web |title=Захарченко відклав "вибори" |url=http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7106061/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009041911/http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7106061/ |archive-date=9 October 2016 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=pda.pravda.com.ua}} On 22 July the elections were again postponed to 6 November.{{Cite web |title=Захарченко переніс вибори в "ДНР" на листопад |trans-title=Zakharchenko postponed elections "DNR" in November |url=http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7115735/ |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=pda.pravda.com.ua}}

In July 2016, over a thousand people, mainly small business owners, protested in Horlivka against corruption and taxes, which included charging customs fees on imported goods.{{cite web|url=http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1468789216|title=Large protest in occupied Horlivka against crippling militant 'taxes' :: khpg.org|website=khpg.org|access-date=18 July 2016|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816212241/http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1468789216|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://gorlovka.today/obshchestvo/5654-v-gorlovke-proshel-miting-chastnykh-predprinimatelej|trans-title=More than a thousand private entrepreneurs Gorlovka expressed distrust of the city administration|script-title=ru:Более тысячи частных предпринимателей Горловки выразили недоверие администрации города|access-date=4 March 2018|date=16 July 2016|publisher=Gorlivka Today|language=ru|archive-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304173155/https://gorlovka.today/obshchestvo/5654-v-gorlovke-proshel-miting-chastnykh-predprinimatelej|url-status=live}}

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. Ukraine denounced these primaries as illegal.[https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics-2/defying-minsk-process-russian-backed-separatists-hold-illegal-elections.html Defying Minsk process, Russian-backed separatists hold illegal elections] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003165741/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics-2/defying-minsk-process-russian-backed-separatists-hold-illegal-elections.html |date=3 October 2016 }}, Kyiv Post (2 October 2016)
[http://tass.ru/en/world/877501 Donbass militia leader announces autumn primaries in Donetsk] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005074704/http://tass.ru/en/world/877501 |date=5 October 2016}}, TASS news agency (23 May 2016) The DPR finally held elections on 11 November 2018. These were described as "predetermined and without alternative candidates"{{cite news |last=Coynash |first=Halya |date=9 November 2018 |title=Russia lies about Minsk Agreement to justify support for fake 'elections' in occupied Donbas |work=Human Rights in Ukraine |url=http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1541719404 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111173729/http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1541719404 |archive-date=11 November 2018}} and not recognised externally.{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_160237.htm|title=Statement by the NATO Spokesperson on the reported elections in eastern Ukraine|website=NATO|access-date=7 October 2021|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007171000/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_160237.htm|url-status=live}}

On 16 October 2016, a prominent Russian citizen and DPR military leader Arsen Pavlov was killed by an improvised explosive device in his Donetsk apartment's elevator.{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=17 October 2016 |title=Prominent rebel warlord Arseny 'Motorola' Pavlov dies in Donetsk blast |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/17/prominent-warlord-arsen-motorola-pavlov-killed-donetsk-blast |url-status=live |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806154348/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/17/prominent-warlord-arsen-motorola-pavlov-killed-donetsk-blast?CMP=share_btn_tw |archive-date=6 August 2019 |issn=0261-3077}} Another DPR military commander, Mikhail Tolstykh, was killed by an explosion while working in his Donetsk office on 8 February 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/separatist-commander-mikhail-tolstykh-givi-killed-ukraine-1.3971740|title=Separatist commander Mikhail Tolstykh, 'Givi', killed in eastern Ukraine|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430100232/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/separatist-commander-mikhail-tolstykh-givi-killed-ukraine-1.3971740|url-status=live}} On 31 August 2018, Head and Prime Minister Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in an explosion in a cafe in Donetsk.{{cite news |last1=Zverev |first1=Anton |last2=Vasina |first2=Olena |date=31 August 2018 |title=Rebel leader in east Ukraine killed in blast |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-zakharchenko-confirmat/rebel-leader-in-east-ukraine-killed-in-blast-idUSKCN1LG266 |url-status=live |access-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831184157/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-zakharchenko-confirmat/rebel-leader-in-east-ukraine-killed-in-blast-idUSKCN1LG266 |archive-date=31 August 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/10/02/russian-town-rallies-against-new-mayor-from-rebel-held-eastern-ukraine-a67544|title=Russian Town Rallies Against New Mayor From Rebel-Held Eastern Ukraine|date=2 October 2019|website=The Moscow Times|access-date=14 February 2020|archive-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004025236/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/10/02/russian-town-rallies-against-new-mayor-from-rebel-held-eastern-ukraine-a67544|url-status=live}} According to Ukrainian authorities, 50 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in clashes with Donbas separatists in 2020.{{cite news |date=9 April 2021 |title=Ukraine conflict: Moscow could 'defend' Russia-backed rebels |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56678665}}

In January 2021, the DPR and LPR stated in a "doctrine Russian Donbas" that they aimed to seize all of the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast under control by the Ukrainian government "in the near future". The document did not specifically state the intention of DPR and LPR to be annexed by Russia.{{cite web |title=Бойовики представили свою "доктрину": передбачає захоплення всього Донбасу |trans-title=Militants presented the "doctrine": provides capture of all Donbas |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/01/28/7281527/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200722/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/01/28/7281527/ |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}

{{main|Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{see also|Mobilization in Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics}}

The general mobilization in the Donetsk People's Republic began on 19 February 2022; five days before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Tens of thousands of local residents were forcibly mobilized for the war. According to the Eastern Human Rights Group, as of mid-June, about 140,000 people were forcibly mobilized in the DPR and LPR, of which from 48,000 to 96,000 were sent to the front and the rest to logistics support.{{cite web |last=Golod |first=Gleb |date=5 September 2022 |title=Жизнь здесь катится в хреновую сторону. В ЛНР и ДНР на войну с Украиной забрали десятки тысяч жителей. Без них в тылу не работают предприятия, а спецслужбы преследуют даже жен призывников |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2022/07/06/zhizn-zdes-katitsya-v-hrenovuyu-storonu |access-date=5 September 2022 |publisher=Meduza}}{{cite web |date=20 August 2022 |title="Облавы будут на первое сентября". Правозащитник о принудительной мобилизации в "ДНР", "ЛНР" и охоте на уклоняющихся |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/oblavy-budut-na-pervoe-sentyabrya-pravozaschitnik-o-prinuditelnoy-mobilizatsii-v-dnr-lnr-i-ohote-na-uklonyayuschihsya-/31996325.html |access-date=5 September 2022 |publisher=Настоящее время}}

On 21 February 2022, Russia recognised the independence of the DPR and LPR.{{cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Joe |date=22 February 2022 |title=Why Luhansk and Donetsk are key to understanding the latest escalation in Ukraine |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082345068/why-luhansk-and-donetsk-are-key-to-understanding-the-latest-escalation-in-ukrain |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222231626/https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082345068/why-luhansk-and-donetsk-are-key-to-understanding-the-latest-escalation-in-ukrain |archive-date=22 February 2022}} The next day, the Federation Council of Russia authorised the use of military force, and Russian forces openly advanced into the separatist territories.{{cite news |last=Hodge |first=Nathan |date=22 February 2022 |title=Russia's Federation Council gives consent to Putin on use of armed forces abroad, Russian agencies report |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-22-22/h_59a413ce984eda5954ce5b9c4655bcc5 |url-status=live |publisher=CNN |publication-place=Moscow |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222170424/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-22-22/h_59a413ce984eda5954ce5b9c4655bcc5 |archive-date=22 February 2022}} Russian president Vladimir Putin declared that the Minsk agreements "no longer existed", and that Ukraine, not Russia, was to blame for their collapse.{{cite news |date=23 February 2022 |title=Ukraine conflict: Biden sanctions Russia over 'beginning of invasion' |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60488037 |access-date=23 February 2022}} A Russian military attack into Ukrainian government-controlled territory began on the morning of 24 February,{{cite news |last1=Nikolskaya |first1=Polina |last2=Osborn |first2=Andrew |date=24 February 2022 |title=Russia's Putin authorises 'special military operation' against Ukraine |work=Reuters |publication-place=Moscow |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-putin-authorises-military-operations-donbass-domestic-media-2022-02-24/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224032217/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-putin-authorises-military-operations-donbass-domestic-media-2022-02-24/ |archive-date=24 February 2022}} when Putin announced a "special military operation" to "demilitarise and denazify" Ukraine.{{cite news |last1=Grunau |first1=Andrea |last2=von Hein |first2=Matthias |last3=Theise |first3=Eugen |last4=Weber |first4=Joscha |date=25 February 2022 |title=Fact check: Do Vladimir Putin's justifications for going to war against Ukraine add up? |publisher=Deutsche Welle |url=https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-do-vladimir-putins-justifications-for-going-to-war-against-ukraine-add-up/a-60917168 |url-status=live |access-date=1 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225162831/https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-do-vladimir-putins-justifications-for-going-to-war-against-ukraine-add-up/a-60917168 |archive-date=25 February 2022}}{{cite magazine |last=Waxman |first=Olivia B. |date=3 March 2022 |title=Historians on What Putin Gets Wrong About 'Denazification' in Ukraine |url=https://time.com/6154493/denazification-putin-ukraine-history-context/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |issn=0040-781X |oclc=1311479 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303211420/https://time.com/6154493/denazification-putin-ukraine-history-context/ |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=1 June 2022}}

In the course of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, around 55% of Donetsk Oblast came under the control of Russia and the DPR by June 2022.{{cite news |last= |date=23 June 2022 |title=Ukrainian forces now control nearly 45% of Donetsk, says official |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/ukrainian-forces-now-control-nearly-45-of-donetsk-says-official-122062300208_1.html |access-date=9 July 2022}} In the south of Donetsk Oblast, the Russian Armed Forces laid siege to Mariupol for almost three months.{{cite news |last1=Gunter |first1=Joel |last2=Lukov |first2=Yaroslav |date=2 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian city of Mariupol 'near to humanitarian catastrophe' after bombardment |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60585603 |url-status=live |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302202213/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60585603 |archive-date=2 March 2022}} According to Ukrainian sources, an estimated 22,000 civilians were killed{{cite news |date=25 May 2022 |title=At least 22,000 civilians killed in Mariupol – mayor's adviser |website=Interfax-Ukraine |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/834794.html |access-date=27 May 2022}} and 20,000 to 50,000 were illegally deported to Russia by June 2022.{{cite web |date=27 March 2022 |title=Mariupol Mayor Cites 'Thousands' Dead, Says 'Complete Evacuation' Needed |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/lviv-attack-humanitarian-corridors/31772646.html |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=Radio Free Europe |publisher=Radio Liberty}}{{cite news |last1=Bondarenko |first1=Khrystyna |last2=Watson |first2=Ivan |last3=Stapleton |first3=AnneClaire |last4=Booth |first4=Tom |last5=Alasaar |first5=Alaa |date=19 March 2022 |title=Mariupol residents are being forced to go to Russia, city council says |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/europe/mariupol-shelter-commander-ukraine-intl/index.html |access-date=28 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=Occupying forces have deported more than 50,000 Mariupol residents to Russia and temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/06/13/7352251/ |access-date=14 June 2022 |website=Ukrainska Pravda}} A vehicle convoy of 82 ethnic Greeks was able to leave the city via a humanitarian corridor.{{cite web |last=Nedos |first=Vassilis |title=Greek convoy makes it out of Mariupol {{!}} eKathimerini.com |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1178856/greek-convoy-makes-it-out-of-mariupol/ |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=www.ekathimerini.com}}{{cite web |last= |title=Humanitarian corridor for Greek expatriates in Mariupol |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1178804/humanitarian-corridor-for-greek-expatriates-in-mariupol/ |access-date=4 March 2022 |website=www.ekathimerini.com}}

File:Референдум в Донецкой Народной Республике 03 (23-09-2022).jpg of Putin's United Russia party]]

On 19 April 2022, a town hall assembly was reportedly organized in Russian-occupied Rozivka, where a majority of attendees (mainly seniors) voted by hand to join the Donetsk People's Republic. This came despite two hurdles: the raion was outside the borders claimed by the DPR, and the raion had not existed since 18 July 2020. The vote was claimed to be rigged, and organizers threatened anyone voting against it with arrest.{{cite web |title=Thomas van Linge on Twitter: "#Ukraine 🇺🇦: the separatist entity #DNR has started to claim areas outside of the #Donbass region as part of its own. Today a sham referendum was held in the village of Rozivka (blue on the map), located in the #Zaporizhzhya oblast, not #Donetsk (orange)" / Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/thomasvlinge/status/1516410415240077332 |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Twitter}}{{cite web |title=A hall filled with pensioners in the occupied village of Rozovka in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast voted to join the "DNR" Rozivka - Ukraine Interactive map - Ukraine Latest news on live map - liveuamap.com |url=https://liveuamap.com/en/2022/19-april-a-hall-filled-with-pensioners-in-the-occupied-village |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Ukraine Interactive map - Ukraine Latest news on live map - liveuamap.com}}

On 21 May 2022, the town of Oskil in the Kharkiv Oblast was declared part of the DPR.{{cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=Institute for the Study of War |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325065358/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 |url-status=dead}} The town was later recaptured by Ukrainian forces during the Kharkiv Counteroffensive.

Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and as of July 2022 vice chairman of the Russian Security Council, in July 2022 shared a map of Ukraine where most of Ukraine, including DPR, had been absorbed by Russia.{{Cite web |date=27 July 2022 |title=Medvedev dreams of the collapse of Ukraine and showed a "map" |url=https://odessa-journal.com/medvedev-dreams-of-the-collapse-of-ukraine-and-showed-a-map/ |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=odessa-journal.com}}

Der Spiegel reported that forcibly recruited men from Donbas were used as cannon fodder. According to DPR officials, more than 3,000 were killed and over 13,000 wounded, "a casualty rate of 80 percent of the initial fighting force."{{cite news |last1=Arsu |first1=Şebnem |last2=Boy |first2=Ann-Dorit |last3=Chernyshev |first3=Alexander |last4=Esch |first4=Christian |last5=Hebel |first5=Christina |last6=Imhof |first6=Oliver |last7=Popp |first7=Maximilian |last8=Schaap |first8=Fritz |last9=Schröder |first9=Thore |name-list-style= |date=23 September 2022 |title=Putin Bets It All in Ukraine |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/no-more-illusions-putin-bets-it-all-in-ukraine-a-a94b78fd-a99b-4196-a0a6-0332057337ea}} Human rights activists reported a huge – up to 30,000 people as of August 2022 – death toll among mobilized recruits in clashes with the well-trained Armed Forces of Ukraine. On 16 August 2022, Vladimir Putin stated that {{qi|the objectives of this operation are clearly defined – ensuring the security of Russia and our citizens, protecting the residents of Donbass from genocide.}}{{cite news |last=Teslova |first=Elena |date=16 August 2022 |title=Putin says West tries to contain formation of multipolar world |work=Anadolu Agency |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-war/putin-says-west-tries-to-contain-formation-of-multipolar-world/2662341}}

{{see also|2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine|Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts}}

On 20 September 2022, the People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic scheduled a referendum on the republic's entry into Russia as a federal subject for 23–27 September.{{Cite web |title=В ДНР заявили, что референдум о вхождении в состав России состоится с 23 по 27 сентября |url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/15808407 |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=tass.ru}} It was widely described as a sham referendum by commentators and denounced by various countries. On 21 September, Russian President Putin announced a partial mobilization in Russia. He said that {{qi|in order to protect our motherland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to ensure the safety of our people and people in the liberated territories}}, he decided to declare a partial mobilization.{{cite news |title=Putin speech on partial mobilisation: What exactly did he say? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/21/russias-putin-orders-partial-mobilisation-what-did-he-say |work=Al Jazeera |date=21 September 2022}} On 30 September 2022, Russia's president Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of the DPR along with the Luhansk People's Republic and two other oblasts of Ukraine in an address to both houses of the Russian parliament. On 12 October 2022, the United Nations General Assembly voted in Resolution ES-11/4 to condemn the annexation. The resolution received a vast majority of 143 countries in support of condemning Russia's annexation, 35 abstaining, and only 5 against condemning Russia's annexation.{{cite news |date=13 October 2022 |title=Ukraine war: UN General Assembly condemns Russia annexation |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-63237669 |access-date=14 October 2022}}

{{Main|Humanitarian situation during the war in Donbas}}

File:Lysychansk_16.jpg, 4 August 2014]]

The United Nations observed in May 2014 an "alarming deterioration" in human rights in territory held by insurgents affiliated with the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.{{Cite news |date=16 May 2014 |title=Ukraine crisis: UN sounds alarm on human rights in east |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27438422 |access-date=17 May 2014 |work=BBC News}} The UN reported growing lawlessness in the region, documenting cases of targeted killings, torture, and abduction, primarily carried out by the forces of the Donetsk People's Republic.{{Cite book |url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/HRMMUReport15May2014.pdf |title=Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine |date=15 May 2014 |publisher=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights}} The UN also reported threats against, attacks on, and abductions of journalists and international observers, as well as beatings and attacks on supporters of Ukrainian unity. Russia criticised these reports, and said that they were "politically motivated".{{Cite news |date=16 May 2014 |title=Russia lambasts U.N. report on rights in Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA4F05Y20140516 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518010929/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/16/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA4F05Y20140516 |archive-date=18 May 2014 |access-date=13 January 2015 |work=Reuters}}

A report by Human Rights Watch in 2014 said "Anti-Kyiv forces in eastern Ukraine are abducting, attacking, and harassing people they suspect of supporting the Ukrainian government or consider undesirable...anti-Kyiv insurgents are using beatings and kidnappings to send the message that anyone who doesn't support them had better shut up or leave".{{Cite web |date=23 May 2014 |title=Ukraine: Anti-Kiev Forces Running Amok |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/23/ukraine-anti-kiev-forces-running-amok |access-date=24 July 2014 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}} There were also multiple instances of beatings, abductions, and possible executions of local residents by Ukrainian troops,{{Cite news |date=10 September 2014 |title=Ukrainian Nationalist Volunteers Committing 'ISIS-Style' War Crimes |url=http://www.newsweek.com/evidence-war-crimes-committed-ukrainian-nationalist-volunteers-grows-269604 |work=Newsweek}} such as Oleh Lyashko's militia and the Aidar territorial defence battalion.{{Cite press release |title=Impunity reigns for abductions and ill-treatment by pro-Kyiv vigilantes in eastern Ukraine |date=6 August 2014 |publisher=Amnesty International |url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/impunity-reigns-for-abductions-and-ill-treatment-by-pro-kyiv-vigilantes-in-eastern-ukraine |access-date=9 August 2014}} In August, Igor Druz, a senior advisor to pro-Russian insurgent commander Igor Girkin, said that "On several occasions, in a state of emergency, we have carried out executions by shooting to prevent chaos. As a result, our troops, the ones who have pulled out of Sloviansk, are highly disciplined".{{Cite news |date=2 August 2014 |title=Rebel adviser 'admits executions' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28619599 |access-date=2 August 2014 |work=BBC News}} By the end of 2015, there were 79 places in the combined DPR and LPR territory where abducted civilians and prisoners of war were held.{{Cite web |title=На неконтролируемой Украиной территории Донбасса есть 79 неофициальных мест незаконного содержания людей |url=http://interfax.com.ua/news/general/307388.html |access-date=29 November 2015 |publisher=Interfax Ukraine}}

A report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released on 28 July 2014 said that at least 750 million US dollars worth of damage has been done to property and infrastructure in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.{{Cite news |date=28 July 2014 |title=1,129 civilians killed, 3,442 injured in Ukraine during anti-terrorist operation – UN report |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/215684.html |access-date=28 July 2014 |work=Interfax-Ukraine News Agency}}{{Cite press release |title=Intense fighting in eastern Ukraine 'extremely alarming', says Pillay, as UN releases new report |date=28 July 2014 |publisher=Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2014/07/intense-fighting-eastern-ukraine-extremely-alarming-says-pillay-un-releases |access-date=28 July 2014}} Human Rights Watch said that Ukrainian government forces, pro-government paramilitaries, and the insurgents had used unguided Grad rockets in 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".{{Cite press release |title=Ukraine: Unguided Rockets Killing Civilians |date=24 July 2014 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/24/ukraine-unguided-rockets-killing-civilians |access-date=27 July 2014}}"[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/07/25/human-rights-watch-ukrainian-forces-are-rocketing-civilians/ Human Rights Watch: Ukrainian forces are rocketing civilians]". The Washington Post. 25 July 2014. The New York Times reported that the high rate of civilian deaths had "left the population in eastern Ukraine embittered toward Ukraine's pro-Western government", and that this sentiment helped to "spur recruitment" for the insurgents.{{Cite news |last1=Tavernise |first1=Sabrina |last2=Sneider |first2=Noah |date=28 July 2014 |title=Enmity and Civilian Toll Rise in Ukraine While Attention Is Diverted |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/29/world/europe/civilian-death-toll-rise-in-ukraine.html |access-date=29 July 2014 |work=The New York Times}}

As consequence of the conflict, large swathes of the Donbas region, on both sides of the "contact line", have become contaminated with landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW).{{Cite web |date=2016-04-04 |title=Ukraine's desperate attempt to defuse landmines – as more are planted |url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/04/ukraine-attempt-defuse-landmines-as-more-are-planted |access-date=2022-02-02 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} According to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, in 2020 Ukraine was one of the most mine-affected countries in the world, with nearly 1,200 mine/ERW casualties since the beginning of the conflict in 2014.{{Cite web |date=5 April 2021 |title=Landmines Still Pose a Threat to Two Million Ukrainians |url=https://ukraine.un.org/en/123917-landmines-still-pose-threat-two-million-ukrainians |access-date=2 February 2022 |website=United Nations Ukraine}} A report by UNICEF released in December 2019 said that 172 children had been injured or killed due to landmines and other explosives, over 750 educational facilities had been damaged or destroyed, and 430,000 children lived with psychological traumas associated with war.{{Cite web |title=430,000 children continue to bear the brunt of eastern Ukraine conflict |url=https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/430000-children-continue-bear-brunt-eastern-ukraine-conflict |access-date=2022-02-02 |website=www.unicef.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Children endure deadly legacy of landmines in eastern Ukraine |url=https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/en/stories/children-endure-deadly-legacy-landmines-eastern-ukraine |access-date=2022-02-02 |website=www.unicef.org |language=en}}

File:Remains_of_an_Eastern_Orthodox_church_after_shelling_near_Donetsk_International_Airport.jpg near Donetsk airport, May 2015]]

By early August 2014, at least 730,000 had fled fighting in the Donbas and left for Russia.{{Cite news |date=5 August 2014 |title=About 730,000 have left Ukraine for Russia due to conflict – UNHCR |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-migrants-idINKBN0G517P20140805 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101193516/http://in.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-migrants-idINKBN0G517P20140805 |archive-date=1 January 2016 |access-date=26 August 2014 |work=Reuters}} This number, much larger than earlier estimates, was given by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The number of internal refugees rose to 117,000. By the start of September, after a sharp escalation over the course of August, the number of people displaced from Donbas within Ukraine more than doubled to 260,000.{{Cite press release |title=Number of displaced inside Ukraine more than doubles since early August to 260,000 |date=2 September 2014 |publisher=United Nations High Commission for Refugees |url=http://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/number-displaced-inside-ukraine-more-doubles-early-august-260000 |access-date=2 September 2014}} The number of temporary asylum seekers and refugee applicants from Ukraine in Russia rose to 121,000.{{Cite news |date=2 September 2014 |title=UN says million people have fled |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29029060 |access-date=2 September 2014 |work=BBC News}} Despite two months of a shaky ceasefire established by the Minsk Protocol, the number of refugees displaced from Donbas in Ukraine escalated sharply to 466,829 in mid November.{{Cite press release |title=Serious human rights violations persist in eastern Ukraine despite tenuous ceasefire |date=20 November 2014 |publisher=United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights |url=http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true&LangID=E |access-date=20 November 2014}}

By April 2015, the war had caused at least 1.3 million people to become internally displaced within Ukraine.{{Cite news |last=Allison Quinn |date=25 June 2015 |title=UN refugee head confronts Ukraine's atypical challenge |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/un-refugee-head-confronts-ukraines-atypical-challenge-392051.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626044739/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/un-refugee-head-confronts-ukraines-atypical-challenge-392051.html |archive-date=26 June 2015 |work=Kyiv Post}} In addition, more than 800,000 Ukrainians had sought asylum, residence permits, or other forms of legal stay in neighbouring countries, with over 659,143 in Russia, 81,100 in Belarus, and thousands more elsewhere.{{Cite news |date=22 April 2015 |title=Ukraine crisis has created more than 2 million refugees, UN reports |url=http://www.euronews.com/2015/04/22/ukraine-crisis-has-created-more-than-2-million-refugees-un-reports/ |access-date=28 June 2015 |agency=euronews.com}}{{Cite web |last=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |date=17 April 2015 |title=Ukraine: Situation report No.36 |url=https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ocha_ukraine_situation_report_36_-_17_april_2015.pdf |access-date=2021-06-22}}

According to another report by the UN OHCHR, over three million people continued to live in the Donbas conflict zone as of March 2016. This was said to include 2.7 million who lived in DPR and LPR-controlled areas, and 200,000 in Ukrainian-controlled areas adjacent to the line of contact. In addition, the Ukrainian government was said to have registered a total of 1.6 million internally displaced people within Ukraine who had fled the conflict. Over one million were reported to have sought asylum elsewhere, with most having gone to Russia. The report also said 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".{{Cite press release |title=Ukraine: growing despair among over three million civilians in conflict zone – UN report |date=3 March 2016 |publisher=United Nations |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53359 |access-date=4 March 2016}}

By November 2017, the UN had identified 1.8 million internally displaced and conflict-affected persons in Ukraine, while another 427,240 who had sought asylum or refugee status in the Russian Federation, plus 11,230 in Italy, 10,495 in Germany, 8,380 in Spain, and 4,595 in Poland.UN High Commissioner for Refugees, "[https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-unhcr-operational-update-01-30-november-2017 Ukraine: UNHCR Operational Update, 01–30 November 2017]", 15 December 2017.

In 2011, Ukrainian Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts had a combined population of 6.1 million. As a result of Russian military aggression in 2014, 2 million had to leave the region as refugees. After a full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, under the false pretext of "genocide of Russian speakers", another approximately 3 million either fled or were killed, in total resulting in an 80% decrease of the Donbas population. According to political scientist Taras Kuzio, this amounts to "destruction, depopulation, and genocide".{{Cite book |last1=Kuzio |first1=Taras |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IpBtzwEACAAJ |title=Fascism and Genocide: Russia's War Against Ukrainians |last2=Jajecznyk-Kelman |first2=Stefan |date=2023 |publisher=COLUMBIA University Press |isbn=978-3-8382-1791-8 |pages=42, 43 |language=en}}

File:2014-05-09. День Победы в Донецке 271.jpg, speaks at a Victory Day (9 May) rally in Donetsk in 2014.]]

In early April 2014, a Donetsk People's Council was formed out of protesters who occupied the building of the Donetsk Oblast Council on 6 April 2014.{{cite web|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/ |script-title=ru:Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ |trans-title=Separatists put an ultimatum: a referendum on joining the Donetsk region with the Russian Federation |language=ru |website=novosti.dn.ua |date=6 April 2014 |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083422/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/ |url-status=dead}} The New York Times described the self-proclaimed state as neo-Soviet,{{cite news |title=Rebels in Eastern Ukraine Dream of Reviving Soviet Heyday |last=Kramer |first=Andrew |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/world/europe/rebels-in-eastern-ukraine-dream-of-reviving-soviet-heyday.html |work=New York Times |location=New York City |date=14 October 2014 |access-date=13 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405022105/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/world/europe/rebels-in-eastern-ukraine-dream-of-reviving-soviet-heyday.html |archive-date=5 April 2023}} while Al Jazeera described it as neo-Stalinist and a "totalitarian, North Korea-like statelet".{{cite news |last=Mirovalev |first=Mansur |title=Donetsk and Luhansk: What you should know about the 'republics' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/22/what-are-donetsk-and-luhansk-ukraines-separatist-statelets |access-date=5 March 2022 |work=Aljazeera}} Administration proper in DPR territories was performed by those authorities which performed these functions prior to the war in Donbas.{{cite news|first=Tomasz|last=Piechal|url=http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2015-06-17/war-republics-donbas-one-year-after-outbreak-conflict|title=The War republics in the Donbas one year after the outbreak of the conflict|work=Centre for Eastern Studies|date=17 June 2015|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629081619/http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2015-06-17/war-republics-donbas-one-year-after-outbreak-conflict|url-status=live}} The DPR leadership has also appointed mayors.{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Quinn-Judge|url=http://www.neweasterneurope.eu/articles-and-commentary/1910-ukraine-s-eastern-separatist-leaders-turn-on-each-other|title=Ukraine's eastern separatist leaders turn on each other|publisher=New Eastern Europe|date=3 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319021447/http://neweasterneurope.eu/articles-and-commentary/1910-ukraine-s-eastern-separatist-leaders-turn-on-each-other|archive-date=19 March 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|first=Serhiy|last=Rudenko|url=http://m.dw.com/uk/коментар-мінськ-помер-у-москві/a-19094026?maca=ukr-VGUS-Link-YedynkaUpMobileManual-dwukr|script-title=uk:Коментар: Мінськ помер у Москві|trans-title=Commentary: Minsk died in Moscow|language=uk|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=3 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130013419/http://m.dw.com/uk/%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%80-%D0%BC%D1%96%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80-%D1%83-%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B2%D1%96/a-19094026?maca=ukr-VGUS-Link-YedynkaUpMobileManual-dwukr|url-status=live}} Some sources described the "Donetsk People's Republic" during this period as a Russian puppet government.{{Cite web |last1=Hutchinson |first1=Bill |last2=Reevell |first2=Patrick |date=4 March 2022 |title=What are the Ukraine 'separatist' regions at the crux of the Russian invasion |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/ukraine-separatist-regions-crux-russian-invasion/story?id=83084803 |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=ABC News |quote=The Donbas contains two provinces, Donetsk and Luhansk, that touch the Russian border and since 2014 have been controlled by two puppet separatist governments that Moscow armed and helped establish.}}{{cite news |title=Russia's invasion of Ukraine |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/02/26/russias-invasion-of-ukraine |access-date=14 October 2022 |issn=0013-0613 |quote=And some take in fighters from Russian-backed militias in the Luhansk and Donetsk people's republics—a pair of puppet governments in eastern ...}}{{cite web |last=Danylyuk |first=Oleksandr |date=2 February 2022 |title=Opinion {{!}} Why the Donbass is the Key to Putin's Gambit in Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/02/02/putins-gambit-donbas-ukraine-west-doesnt-understand-00004616 |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Politico |quote=Russia also installed puppet governments inside the two so-called republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The local councils of Donbass elected before the war did not support Russian aggression, so Moscow created military dictatorships in the occupied territories, which were initially run by Russian citizens. Later, the Russians were replaced by local collaborators.}}

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.{{cite web |last=Antoniuk |first=Daryna |date=7 February 2020 |title=Ex-Russian official becomes 'prime minister' of Donetsk militants |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ex-russian-official-becomes-prime-minister-of-donetsk-militants.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308103945/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ex-russian-official-becomes-prime-minister-of-donetsk-militants.html |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=9 February 2020 |website=Kyiv Post}} This appointment was received in Ukraine as a demonstration of direct control over DPR by Russia.{{cite web|url=http://ukraineun.org/en/press-center/411-statement-by-deputy-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-ukraine-mr-sergiy-kyslytsya-at-the-united-nations-security-council-briefing-on-ukraine/|title=Statement by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya at the United Nations Security Council briefing on Ukraine|website=Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations|access-date=19 February 2020|quote=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{{nbs}}km. Still local enough, in the opinion of Moscow, to rule in Donbas and to be talked to about its future.|archive-date=21 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221074425/http://ukraineun.org/en/press-center/411-statement-by-deputy-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-ukraine-mr-sergiy-kyslytsya-at-the-united-nations-security-council-briefing-on-ukraine|url-status=live}}

Several Russian officials were appointed to cabinet posts and prime ministership of the DPR in June and July 2022.{{cite web |date=2 July 2022 |title=Пушилин назначил министрами "ДНР" четырех чиновников из России для "скорейшего перехода в российское правовое поле" |url=https://theins1.press/news/252795 |access-date=4 July 2022 |website=The Insider |language=ru}}

The Head of the Donetsk People's Republic ({{langx|ru|Глава Донецкой Народной Республики|Glava Donetskoy Narodnoy Respubliki}}) is the highest office of the Donetsk People's Republic. The following persons have occupied the post:

• Alexander Zakharchenko {{small|(1976–2018)}} 4 November 2014 – 31 August 2018 †. Political party: Donetsk Republic.[https://tvrain.ru/news/glava_oplota_rasskazal_o_lobbirovanii_kandidatury_zaharchenko_na_post_glavy_dnr-377583/ The head of Oplot told about lobbying of the Zakharchenko's candidacy on a post of the head of DPR (Глава "Оплота" рассказал о лоббировании кандидатуры Захарченко на пост главы "ДНР")]. TV Rain. 4 November 2014{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/pro-russian-rebel-leader-killed-in-eastern-ukraine-blast/2018/08/31/12a18336-ad37-11e8-b1da-ff7faa680710_story.html|title=Pro-Russian rebel leader killed in eastern Ukraine blast|date=31 August 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post}} Leaked emails suggest that Zakharchenko was recruited and installed by Russia.{{Cite journal |last=Hosaka |first=Sanshiro |date=2024-11-05 |title=Leaked email data: a new source for the study of authoritarian regimes |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s42984-024-00097-w |journal=Digital War |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=1 |doi=10.1057/s42984-024-00097-w |issn=2662-1983}}
• Dmitry Trapeznikov {{small|(born 1981)}} Acting 31 August 2018 – 7 September 2018. Independent{{Cite news|url=https://meduza.io/news/2018/09/07/parlament-dnr-smenil-ispolnyayuschego-obyazannosti-glavy-respubliki|title=Парламент ДНР сменил исполняющего обязанности главы республики|work=Meduza|access-date=7 September 2018|language=ru-RU}}
• Denis Pushilin {{small|(born 1981)}} 7 September 2018 – Incumbent ({{small|Acting: 7 September 2018 – 20 November 2018}}). Political party: Donetsk Republic, later United Russia{{Cite web |title=Head of self-proclaimed 'DNR' 'promises new phase of combat operations' after 'becoming part of Russia' |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2022/09/28/head-of-self-proclaimed-dnr-promises-new-phase-of-combat-operations-after-becoming-part-of-russia |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=Meduza}}

{{Main|People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic}}

The parliament of the Donetsk People's Republic is the People's Council{{cite news|date=8 June 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27743090 |title=The Ukrainians who are nostalgic for their Soviet past |work=BBC News |first =Steve |last=Rosenberg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620055824/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27743090 |archive-date=20 June 2014 |url-status=dead}} and has 100 deputies.

{{Primary sources|date=February 2025|section}}

On 6 April 2023, the DPR authorities announced an administrative reform, organizing the republic into 12 cities of republic significance and 18 districts.{{Cite web |url=https://glavadnr.ru/doc/zakony/zII437.pdf |title= Закон от 6 апреля 2023 года № 437-IIHC «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Донецкой Народной Республики» |date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406151507/https://glavadnr.ru/doc/zakony/zII437.pdf |archive-date=2023-04-06 |language=ru}}{{Cite web |url=https://dnrsovet.su/parlamentom-prinyat-zakon-ob-administrativno-territorialnom-ustrojstve-dnr/ |title=Парламентом принят закон об административно-территориальном устройстве ДНР |publisher=DPR People's Council |language=ru}}{{Cite web |url=https://xn--80ahqgjaddr.xn--p1ai/spravochnaya-informaciya/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=xn--80ahqgjaddr.xn--p1ai}}

The cities are as follows: Gorlovka, Debaltsevo, Dokuchayevsk, Donetsk, Yenakievo, Ilovaisk, Kramatorsk, Makeevka, Mariupol, Snezhnoye, Torez, and Khartsyzk.

The districts are as follows: Oleksandrovka, Amvrosievka, Artyomovsk, Velyka Novosyolka, Volnovakha, Volodarskoye, Dobropolye, Konstantinovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Krasnyi Lyman, Kurakhovo, Mangush, Novoazovsk, Slaviansk, Starobeshevo, Telmanovo, Shakhtarsk, and Yasynuvata.

In March 2016, the DPR began to issue passports{{cite web |last=Grigas |first=Agnia |date=23 March 2016 |title=Separatists Launch New "Passportization" Strategy in Eastern Ukraine |url=http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/separatists-launch-new-passportization-strategy-in-eastern-ukraine#.VvODFUYJn8c.twitter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009042223/http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/separatists-launch-new-passportization-strategy-in-eastern-ukraine#.VvODFUYJn8c.twitter |archive-date=9 October 2016 |access-date=22 November 2016 |publisher=Atlantic Council}} despite a 2015 statement by Zakharchenko that, without at least partial recognition of DPR, local passports would be a "waste of resources". In November 2016 the DPR announced that all of its citizens had dual Ukrainian/Donetsk People's Republic citizenship.{{cite news |date=22 November 2016 |title= |script-title=uk:У "ДНР" заявили, що запровадили "подвійне громадянство" |trans-title=The "DNR" said that they have introduced "dual citizenship" |publisher=Espreso TV |url=https://espreso.tv/news/2016/11/22/u_quotdnrquot_zayavyly_scho_zaprovadyly_quotpodviyne_gromadyanstvoquot |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201045/http://espreso.tv/news/2016/11/22/u_quotdnrquot_zayavyly_scho_zaprovadyly_quotpodviyne_gromadyanstvoquot |archive-date=23 November 2016}}

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).{{cite web |title=Russia starts giving passports to Ukrainians |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-starts-giving-passports-to-ukrainians-from-donetsk-luhansk/a-49207353 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715214445/https://www.dw.com/en/russia-starts-giving-passports-to-ukrainians-from-donetsk-luhansk/a-49207353 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=dw.com}} Since December 2019 Ukrainian passports are no longer considered a valid identifying document in the DPR, and Ukrainian licence plates have been declared illegal.{{cite web |last=Kazanskyi |first=Denys |date=7 March 2020 |title=The march of dis-integration |url=https://ukrainianweek.com/the-march-of-dis-integration/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320160207/https://ukrainianweek.com/Society/241299 |archive-date=20 March 2020 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=The Ukrainian Week}} Meanwhile, the previous favourable view of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the DPR press was replaced with personal accusations of genocide and "crimes against Donbas", and proposals of organising a tribunal against him in absentia. In March 2020 Russian was declared to be the only state language of the DPR;{{cite web |last=Shilov |first=Vladimir |date=6 March 2020 |title= |script-title=ru:Русский признали в ДНР единственным государственным языком |trans-title=The Russian language has become the sole state language in the DPR |url=https://rg.ru/2020/03/06/russkij-priznali-v-dnr-edinstvennym-gosudarstvennym-iazykom.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228024042/https://rg.ru/2020/03/06/russkij-priznali-v-dnr-edinstvennym-gosudarstvennym-iazykom.html |archive-date=28 February 2021 |access-date=7 March 2020 |website=Российская газета |language=ru}}{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2022|reason=Rossiyskaya Gazeta is a Russian state entity}} previously in its May 2014 constitution, the DPR had declared both Russian and Ukrainian its official languages.

According to the Ukrainian press, by mid-2021, local residents received half a million Russian passports.{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/07/15/7300690/ The leader of fighters Pushilin gathered in "United Russia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715213653/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/07/15/7300690/|date=15 July 2021}}, Ukrainska Pravda (15 July 2021)
{{in lang|uk}} [https://tyzhden.ua/Politics/252425 "United Russia" went on the offensive in the Donbass] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715213655/https://tyzhden.ua/Politics/252425|date=15 July 2021}}, The Ukrainian Week (15 July 2021) Deputy Kremlin Chief of Staff Dmitry Kozak stated in a July 2021 interview with Politique internationale that 470,000 local residents had received Russian passports; he added that {{qi|as soon as the situation in Donbass is resolved{{nbsp}}....The general procedure for granting citizenship will be restored.}}{{Cite web |title=У Путіна запевняють: Роздаємо паспорти РФ на Донбасі не для анексії ОРДЛО |trans-title=At Putin assure: We distribute passports of the Russian Federation in Donbass not for annexation of ORDLO |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/07/20/7301163/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720153205/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/07/20/7301163/ |archive-date=20 July 2021 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}

{{Main|Russian separatist forces in Donbas}}

File:1445528704 8r94r klga0.jpg

The Donbas People's Militia was formed by Pavel Gubarev, who was elected People's Governor of Donetsk Oblast and Igor Girkin, appointed the Minister of Defence of the Donetsk People's Republic.{{cite news |last=Gorst |first=Isabel |date=1 March 2014 |title=In northeast Ukraine, pro-Maidan occupiers are routed by counter-demonstrators |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-northeast-ukraine-pro-maidan-occupiers-are-routed-by-counter-demonstrators/2014/03/01/6fb057e0-a162-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320031125/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-northeast-ukraine-pro-maidan-occupiers-are-routed-by-counter-demonstrators/2014/03/01/6fb057e0-a162-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html |archive-date=20 March 2017}}

The People's Militia of the DPR ({{langx|ru|Вооружённые силы ДНР}}) comprise the Russian separatist forces in the DPR.

On 10 January 2020 president of the non-recognised pro-Russian Abkhazia accused DPR of staging a coup in his country. DPR commander Akhra Avidzba was commanding on the spot.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/10/01/2020/5e187db59a7947241c0280db|title=В Абхазии заявили об участии украинцев в попытке госпереворота|trans-title=Abkhazia announces the Involvement of Ukrainians in Attempted Coup|website=RBK Group|date=10 January 2020|first=Georg|last=Tadtaev|language=ru|access-date=9 February 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308211937/https://www.rbc.ru/politics/10/01/2020/5e187db59a7947241c0280db|url-status=live}} Unlike South Ossetia, Abkhazia had not then recognised DPR.{{Cite news|url=http://georgiatoday.ge/news/12535/Russia-Advices-Abkhazia-recognize-Lugansk-and-Donetsk-|title=Russia Advises Abkhazia to Recognize Lugansk and Donetsk|website=Georgia Today|first=Thea|last=Morrison|date=3 October 2018|access-date=9 February 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111202016/http://georgiatoday.ge/news/12535/Russia-Advices-Abkhazia-recognize-Lugansk-and-Donetsk-|url-status=live}}

The award Hero of the Donetsk People's Republic ({{langx|ru|Герой Донецкой Народной Республики}}) was bestowed on

• Joseph Kobzon – Russian actor{{Cite news|url=http://antikor.com.ua/articles/60787-zaharchenko_sdelal_kobzona_20-m_geroem_dnr_video|title=Захарченко сделал Кобзона 20-м "Героем ДНР" (+видео)|access-date=8 October 2017}}
• Ramzan Kadyrov — Head of Chechen Republic{{Cite news|title=Chechen armed forces assemble to honour Putin and his ally Kadyrov|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/chechen-armed-forces-assemble-honour-putin-his-ally-kadyrov-2022-10-07/|website=Reuters|date=7 October 2022}}

File:2014. Кузнечный фестиваль в Донецке 370.jpg

File:2018-05-09. День Победы в Донецке f164.jpg

OSCE monitors met with the self-proclaimed mayor of Sloviansk, Volodymyr Pavlenko, on 20 June 2014.{{cite press release|url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/120113 |title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine based on information received until 22 June 2014 |publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=23 June 2014 |archive-date=25 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625141942/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/120113 |url-status=dead}} 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.

As of May 2014, the Ukrainian Government was paying wages and pensions for the inhabitants of the DPR.{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/75b30b62-d9a0-11e3-b3e3-00144feabdc0.html |title=Separatists urge Russia to annex Donetsk in wake of referendum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222055723/https://www.ft.com/content/75b30b62-d9a0-11e3-b3e3-00144feabdc0 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |work=Financial Times |date=16 May 2014 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/rebel-stronghold-in-ukraine-braces-for-its-showdown-1404865479 |title=Rebel Stronghold in Ukraine Braces for Its Showdown|first=Philip|last=Shishkin|date=9 July 2014 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100541/http://www.wsj.com/articles/rebel-stronghold-in-ukraine-braces-for-its-showdown-1404865479|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine/militants-steal-hr-15-million-in-donetsk-bank-354520.html |title=Militants steal Hr 15 million in Donetsk bank |work=Kyiv Post |date=3 July 2014 |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307083003/http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine/militants-steal-hr-15-million-in-donetsk-bank-354520.html |url-status=live}} The closing of bank branches led to problems in receiving these,{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/fear-grips-donetsk-as-ukraine-s-forces-vow-to-crush-pariah-rebels-1.1874978 |title=Fear grips Donetsk as Ukraines forces vow to crush pariah rebels |first=Daniel |last=McLaughlin |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=23 July 2014 |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=13 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113143053/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/fear-grips-donetsk-as-ukraine-s-forces-vow-to-crush-pariah-rebels-1.1874978 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/putins-ukraine-assault-in-a-shambles-but-far-from-over-1404861429|title=Putin's Ukraine Assault: In a Shambles but Far From Over|first=Adrian|last=Karatnycky|date=8 July 2014 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=15 November 2014|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227230124/http://www.wsj.com/articles/putins-ukraine-assault-in-a-shambles-but-far-from-over-1404861429|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Kuprijanova |first1=Inna |last2=Jolkver |first2=Nikita |date=7 December 2014 |title=Calm before the storm in Donetsk |publisher=Deutsche Welle |url=http://www.dw.com/en/calm-before-the-storm-in-donetsk/a-17780791 |url-status=live |access-date=18 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423053525/http://www.dw.com/en/calm-before-the-storm-in-donetsk/a-17780791 |archive-date=23 April 2016}} 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.{{cite news |last=Tereshchenko |first=Andriy |date=8 September 2014 |title=Навіщо Ощадбанк порушує заборону НБУ на роботу в зоні АТО |language=uk, ru |trans-title=Why Oschadbank violates the NBU's ban on work in the ATO zone |work=Ukrainska Pravda |url=http://www.epravda.com.ua/publications/2014/09/8/488610/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908183014/http://www.epravda.com.ua/publications/2014/09/8/488610/ |archive-date=8 September 2014}} Only the Oschadbank (State Savings Bank of Ukraine) continued to function in territories controlled by the DPR, but it also closed its branches there on 1 December 2014.{{cite news |title=Oschadbank stops operation of departments on rebel-control territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions |agency=Interfax-Ukraine |date=24 November 2014 |work=Kyiv Post |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/business/oschadbank-stops-operation-of-departments-on-rebel-control-territories-of-donetsk-and-luhansk-regions-372882.html}}{{full citation needed|date=May 2022}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pensioners-travel-outside-of-separatist-areas-to-get-their-cash-374882.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213014828/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pensioners-travel-outside-of-separatist-areas-to-get-their-cash-374882.html |archive-date=13 December 2014 |title=Pensioners travel outside of separatist areas to get their cash |work=Kyiv Post |date=11 December 2014 |url-status=live |first=Oleg |last=Sukhov}}

In October 2014, the DPR announced the creation of its own central bank and tax office, obliging residents to register to the DPR and pay taxes to it. Some local entrepreneurs refused to register.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-east-idUSKBN0IJ22G20141030 |title=East Ukraine separatists hold vote to gain legitimacy, promise normalcy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320024508/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-east-idUSKBN0IJ22G20141030 |archive-date=20 March 2017 |publisher=Reuters |date=30 October 2014 |url-status=live |first1=Thomas |last1=Grove |first2=Gabriela |last2=Baczynska}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/11/25/7045342/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125160922/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/11/25/7045342/ |archive-date=25 November 2014 |title=Жінки дали бойовикам 2 місяці на те, щоб забратися з Донецька – РНБО |trans-title=Women gave militants two months to get out of Donetsk – NSDC |work=Ukrainska Pravda |date=25 November 2014 |language=uk |url-status=live}}

Since April 2015, the DPR has been issuing its own vehicle number plates.{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/donetsk-people-republic-seeks-sense-nationhood-170217043602195.html |title='Donetsk People's Republic' seeks sense of nationhood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218135345/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/donetsk-people-republic-seeks-sense-nationhood-170217043602195.html |archive-date=18 February 2017 |work=Al Jazeera |date=17 February 2017 |url-status=live}}

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine reported that in the DPR, "parallel 'justice systems' have begun operating". They found this new judiciary to be "non-transparent, subject to constant change, seriously under-resourced and, in many instances, completely non-functional".{{cite news |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/313870.html |title=Non-transparent 'justice systems' set up in rebel-controlled Donbas areas mostly non-functional – OSCE SMM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226084453/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/313870.html |archive-date=26 December 2015 |work=Interfax-Ukraine |date=25 December 2015}}

{{See also|List of Ukrainian toponyms that were changed as part of decommunization in 2016}}

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the DPR's agency responsible for implementing law and order.{{cite web|title=О Министерстве {{!}} МИНИСТЕРСТВО ВНУТРЕННИХ ДЕЛ ДОНЕЦКОЙ НАРОДНОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ|url=https://xn--b1aea3ais.xn--p1acf/about-ministry|access-date=20 June 2021|website=xn–b1aea3ais.xn–p1acf|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201633/https://xn--b1aea3ais.xn--p1acf/about-ministry|url-status=live}}

In 2014, the DPR introduced the death penalty for cases of treason, espionage, and assassination of political leaders. There had already been accusations of extrajudicial execution.{{cite web |date=18 August 2014 |title=Donetsk Separatists Introduce Death Penalty for Treason |url=https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/donetsk-separatists-introduce-death-penalty-for-treason-38435 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105510/https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/donetsk-separatists-introduce-death-penalty-for-treason-38435 |archive-date=23 August 2018 |access-date=3 September 2018 |website=The Moscow Times}} After 2015 a number of DPR and LPR field commanders and other significant figures were killed or otherwise removed from power.{{cite web|url = http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/europe/ukraine/b079-russia-and-the-separatists-in-eastern-ukraine.pdf|title = Russia and the Separatists in Eastern Ukraine|date = 5 February 2016|publisher = International Crisis Group|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160221172014/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/europe/ukraine/b079-russia-and-the-separatists-in-eastern-ukraine.pdf|archive-date = 21 February 2016|url-status = dead}} 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).{{cite web |last=Losh |first=Jack |date=10 February 2016 |title=Paranoia and Purges: The Dark and Dirty Battle for Power in Rebel-Held Ukraine |url=https://news.vice.com/article/paranoia-and-purges-the-dark-and-dirty-battle-for-power-in-rebel-held-ukraine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211090645/https://news.vice.com/article/paranoia-and-purges-the-dark-and-dirty-battle-for-power-in-rebel-held-ukraine |archive-date=11 February 2016 |access-date=16 February 2016 |website=VICE News}}{{cite web|title=Донбасс. Грязь и кровь "братской войны"|url=http://www.rosbalt.ru/exussr/2016/01/19/1481267.html|website=Росбалт|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213072536/http://www.rosbalt.ru/exussr/2016/01/19/1481267.html|url-status=live}} In August 2016 Igor Plotnitsky, head of LPR, was seriously injured in a car bombing attack in Luhansk.{{cite web|url=https://tvrain.ru/news/glava_lnr-414813/|title=В Луганске взорвали машину главы ЛНР|website=tvrain.ru|date=6 August 2016|access-date=6 August 2016|archive-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818205652/https://tvrain.ru/news/glava_lnr-414813/|url-status=live}} In September 2016 Evgeny Zhilin (Yevhen Zhylin), leader of the separatist "Oplot" unit, was killed in a restaurant near Moscow.{{cite web |title=Pro-Russian militant leader from Eastern Ukraine shot dead near Moscow – media |url=http://uatoday.tv/crime/pro-russian-militant-leader-from-eastern-ukraine-shot-dead-near-moscow-media-749963.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920130331/http://uatoday.tv/crime/pro-russian-militant-leader-from-eastern-ukraine-shot-dead-near-moscow-media-749963.html |archive-date=20 September 2016 |access-date=20 September 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.mobi/a/ukraine-russia-anti-maidan-zhyin-killed/28002053.html|title=Prominent Ukrainian Anti-Maidan Activist Killed in Moscow Restaurant|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=20 September 2016 |access-date=20 September 2016|archive-date=22 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222055736/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-anti-maidan-zhyin-killed/28002053.html|url-status=live|last1=Balmforth |first1=Tom }} In October 2016 military commander Arseniy Pavlov ("Motorola") was killed by an IED planted at his house.{{cite news |last=Pavlov |first=Arsen |date=16 October 2016 |title= |script-title=ru:Командир ополчения ДНР Моторола убит в Донецке |language=ru-RU |newspaper=Interfax.ru |url=http://www.interfax.ru/world/532735 |url-status=live |access-date=16 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017142340/http://www.interfax.ru/world/532735 |archive-date=17 October 2016}} In February 2017 Mikhail Tolstykh ("Givi") was killed in his office with a rocket,{{Cite web |date=8 February 2017 |title=Separatist commander Mikhail Tolstykh, 'Givi', killed in eastern Ukraine |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/separatist-commander-mikhail-tolstykh-givi-killed-ukraine-1.3971740 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430100232/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/separatist-commander-mikhail-tolstykh-givi-killed-ukraine-1.3971740 |archive-date=30 April 2019 |access-date=8 February 2017 |website=CBC |publisher=Associated Press}} later reported to have been remotely launched by Ukrainian agents.{{Cite news |last1=Entous |first1=Adam |last2=Schwirtz |first2=Michael |date=25 February 2024 |title=The Spy War: How the C.I.A. Secretly Helps Ukraine Fight Putin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/25/world/europe/cia-ukraine-intelligence-russia-war.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314210321/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/25/world/europe/cia-ukraine-intelligence-russia-war.html |archive-date=14 March 2024 |work=The New York Times}} On 31 August 2018 DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko was killed by a bomb in a restaurant in Donetsk. The DPR 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 DPR.{{cite web |last=Janjevic |first=Darko |date=31 August 2018 |title=Ukraine: Top rebel leader killed in blast |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-top-rebel-leader-alexander-zakharchenko-killed-in-donetsk-blast/a-45311018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401134243/https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-top-rebel-leader-alexander-zakharchenko-killed-in-donetsk-blast/a-45311018 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=dw.com}}

In May 2015, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed four laws concerning decommunisation in Ukraine. Various cities and many villages in Donbas were renamed. The Ukrainian decommunisation laws were condemned by the DPR.{{cite news |title=Ukraine lawmakers ban 'Communist and Nazi propaganda' |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-lawmakers-ban-communist-and-nazi-propaganda/a-18372853 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=9 April 2015 |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222094712/https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-lawmakers-ban-communist-and-nazi-propaganda/a-18372853 |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web | url=https://tvrain.ru/articles/na_podval-396392/ | title="Газета.ру" рассказала о том, как в плену "ДНР" и "ЛНР" пытали своих же | publisher=Gazeta.ru | date=16 October 2015 | access-date=19 October 2015 | archive-date=17 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017141816/https://tvrain.ru/articles/na_podval-396392/ | url-status=live }}

Political scientist Stephen Shenfield summarizes the witness account of life in DPR as

• Political repressions on a level of Stalin's terror
• Power and wealth concentrated in hands of an elite
• Industrial base destroyed by fighting, stolen, or moved to Russia
• Large unemployment rate due to the destruction of the industry, and former workers joining armed formations to get paid.{{Cite journal |last=Shenfield |first=Stephen D. |date=2022 |title=In Isolation: Dispatches from Occupied Donbas by Stanislav Aseyev, and: From the Fires of War: Ukraine's Azov Movement and the Global Far Right by Michael Colborne (review) |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/427/article/868478 |journal=Slavonic and East European Review |volume=100 |issue=2 |pages=391–393 |doi=10.1353/see.2022.0034 |issn=2222-4327}}

In 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, three soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner, and Brahim Saadoune, were sentenced to death. The DPR lifted the death penalty moratorium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/8/separatist-run-donetsk-lifts-suspension-on-the-death-sentences|title=Ukraine: Russia-backed separatists lift death penalty moratorium|website=www.aljazeera.com}}

File:2016-05-09. День Победы в Донецке 093.jpg who fought in World War II, 9 May 2016]]

File:Far-right pro-Russian forces in the Russian-Ukrainian war.png, Russian National Unity, and the Russian Imperial Legion.]]

{{further|Ruscism}}

According to a 2016 report by the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), Russian ethnic and imperialist nationalism has shaped the official ideology of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.{{cite web |last1=Likhachev |first1=Vyacheslav |date=July 2016 |title=The Far Right in the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine |url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/rnv95_uk_likhachev_far-right_radicals_final.pdf |access-date=1 March 2022 |publisher=Russie.NEI.Visions in English |pages=18–28}} During the war in Donbas, especially at the beginning, far-right groups played an important role on the pro-Russian side, arguably more so than on the Ukrainian side.

According to Marlène Laruelle, separatist ideologues in Donbas produced an ideology composed of three strands of Russian nationalism: neo-fascist, Orthodox, and neo-Soviet.{{cite book |last=Averre |first=Derek |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315170770-9 |title=The Ukraine Conflict: Security, Identity and Politics in the Wider Europe |date=2018 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-315-17077-0 |editor1-last=Wolczuk |editor1-first=Kataryna |pages=90–91 |doi=10.4324/9781315170770-9 |s2cid=240042370 |quote=Separatist ideologues in the Donbas, such as they are, have therefore produced a strange melange since 2014. Of what Marlène Laruelle (2016) has called the 'three colours' of Russian nationalism designed for export—red (Soviet), white (Orthodox) and brown (fascist) ... there are arguably more real fascists on the rebel side than the Ukrainian side }} Journalist Andrew Kramer observed that the DPR had effectively institutionalized nostalgia for the Soviet Union in the territories under its control, and reintroduced some socialist state policies, including the nationalization of the mining industry and commercial agriculture.

Members and former members of neo-Nazi group Russian National Unity (RNU), as well as the National Bolshevik Party, Eurasian Youth Union, and Cossack groups, formed branches to recruit volunteers for the separatists.Yudina, Natalia (2015). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313258866_Russian_Nationalists_Fight_Ukrainian_War "Russian nationalists fight Ukrainian war"], in: Journal on Baltic Security, Volume 1, Issue 1 (de Gruyter). pp.47–69. doi:10.1515/jobs-2016-0012.{{cite news |date=26 June 2014 |title=Is anyone in charge of Russian nationalists fighting in Ukraine? |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/06/26/is-anyone-in-charge-of-russian-nationalists-fighting-in-ukraine/ |last=Laruelle |first=Marlene |quote=Many mercenaries are related, directly or indirectly, to the Russian National Unity (RNU) movement of Alexander Barkashov ... The RNU is supposedly closely associated to members of the self-proclaimed government of Donetsk and in particular of Dmitri Boitsov, leader of the Orthodox Donbass organization ... The volunteers come from several other Russian nationalist groups: the Eurasianist Youth inspired by the Fascist and neo-Eurasianist geopolitician Alexander Dugin; the now-banned Movement Against Illegal Immigration led by Alexander Belov; the group ‘Sputnik and Pogrom’; the national-socialist Slavic Union of Dmitri Demushkin; several small groups inspired by monarchism such as the Russian Imperial Movement}}{{cite book |last1=Saunders |first1=Robert |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/465681761 |title=Historical Dictionary of the Russian Federation |last2=Strukov |first2=Vlad |date=2019 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishing |isbn=978-0-8108-5475-8 |edition=2nd |location=Lanham, Maryland |pages=581–582 |oclc=465681761 |quote=Russian National Unity (RNU), banned ultranationalist political party ... a number of RNU members joined separatist forces in the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk}} A former RNU member, Pavel Gubarev, was founder of the Donbas People's Militia and first "governor" of the Donetsk People's Republic.{{Cite magazine |last=Snyder |first=Timothy |date=17 March 2014 |title=Far-Right Forces are Influencing Russia's Actions in Crimea |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117048/far-right-forces-are-influencing-russias-actions-crimea |access-date=2 April 2023 |issn=0028-6583}} RNU is particularly linked to the Russian Orthodox Army, one of a number of separatist units described as "pro-Tsarist" and "extremist Orthodox" nationalists.{{cite book |last1=Kuzio |first1=Taras |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/898167438 |title=Ukraine: Democratization, Corruption, and the New Russian Imperialism |date=2015 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-4408-3502-5 |pages=110–111 |oclc=898167438 |quote=the Russian Orthodox Army, one of a number of separatist units fighting for the “Orthodox faith,” revival of the Tsarist Empire, and the Russkii Mir. Igor Girkin (Strelkov [Shooter]), who led the Russian capture of Slovyansk in April 2014, was an example of the Russian nationalists who have sympathies to pro-Tsarist and extremist Orthodox groups in Russia. ... the Russian Imperial Movement ... has recruited thousands of volunteers to fight with the separatists. ... such as the Russian Party of National Unity who uses a modified swastika as their party symbol and Dugin's Eurasianist movement. The paramilitaries of both of these ... are fighting alongside separatists.}} Neo-Nazi unit 'Rusich' is part of the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary group in Ukraine which has been linked to far-right extremism.{{cite news |title=Russian mercenaries in Ukraine linked to far-right extremists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/20/russian-mercenaries-in-ukraine-linked-to-far-right-extremists |work=The Guardian |last=Townsend |first=Mark |date=20 March 2022|quote=Russian mercenaries fighting in Ukraine, including the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group, have been linked to far-right extremism ... Much of the extremist content, posted on Telegram and the Russian social media platform VKontakte (VK), relates to a far-right unit within the Wagner Group called Rusich ... One post on the messaging app Telegram, dated 15 March, shows the flag of the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM), a white-supremacist paramilitary ... Another recent VK posting lists Rusich as part of a coalition of separatist groups and militias including the extreme far-right group, Russian National Unity.}}{{Cite journal |last1=Šmíd |first1=Tomáš |last2=Šmídová |first2=Alexandra |date=1 June 2021 |title=Anti-government Non-state Armed Actors in the Conflict in Eastern Ukraine |journal=Mezinárodní vztahy |volume=56 |issue=2 |pages=48–49 |doi=10.32422/mv-cjir.1778 |s2cid=236341469 |issn=2570-9429 |quote=Another group of Russian citizens who became involved in the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine were members of the so-called right-wing units of the Russian Spring |doi-access=free }}

Some of the most influential far-right nationalists among the Russian separatists are neo-imperialists, who seek to revive the Russian Empire. These included Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin, the minister of defence of the Donetsk People's Republic, who espouses Russian neo-imperialism and ethno-nationalism. The Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacist militant group, has recruited thousands of volunteers to join the separatists. Some separatists have flown the black-yellow-white Russian imperial flag, such as the Sparta Battalion. In 2014, volunteers from the National Liberation Movement joined the Donetsk People's Republic People's Militia bearing portraits of Tsar Nicholas II. The national flag of the Soviet Union is also commonly displayed at official events, parades, and celebrations in the DPR.

Other Russian nationalist volunteers involved in separatist militias included members of the Eurasian Youth Union, and of banned groups such as the Slavic Union and Movement Against Illegal Immigration. Another Russian separatist paramilitary unit, the Interbrigades, is made up of activists from the National Bolshevik (Nazbol) group Other Russia. An article in Dissent noted that {{qi|despite their neo-Stalinist paraphernalia, many of the Russian-speaking nationalists Russia supports in the Donbass are just as right-wing as their counterparts from the Azov Battalion}}.{{cite web |last1=Afrinogenov |first1=Gregory |title=The Seeds of War |url=https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/the-seeds-of-war |website=Dissent |date=2 March 2022}}

In July 2015, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, said at a press conference that he respected Ukraine's far-right party Right Sector "when they beat up the gays in Kyiv and when they tried to depose Poroshenko".{{cite web |date=18 July 2015 |title=Захарченко заявил, что зауважал Правый сектор |url=https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3541010-zakharchenko-zaiavyl-chto-zauvazhal-pravyi-sektor |access-date= |website=Korrespondent.net |language=ru}}

While far-right activists played a part in the early days of the conflict, their importance was often exaggerated, and their importance on both sides of the conflict declined over time. The political climate in Donetsk further pushed far-right groups into the margins.

In April 2022, news outlets noted that a video posted on Donetsk People's Republic's website showed Denis Pushilin awarding a medal to Lieutenant Roman Vorobyov (Somalia Battalion) while Vorobyov was wearing patches affiliated with neo-Nazism: the Totenkopf used by the 3rd SS Panzer Division, and the valknut. However, the video did not show Vorobyov getting his medal when it was posted on Pushilin's website.{{cite web |last=Cole |first=Brendan |date=5 April 2022 |title=Pro-Russian Fighter With Nazi Patches Gets Medal for Killing 'Nazis' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-mariupol-azov-nazi-1695125 |access-date=1 May 2022 |website=Newsweek |quote=Video shared by Storyful shows a soldier, named as Lieutenant Roman Vorobyov from the "Somalia" motorized rifle battalion, receiving the "St. George's Cross II" award while wearing far-right insignia.}}{{cite news |last=Loh |first=Matthew |date=6 April 2022 |title=A soldier with neo-Nazi symbols on his arm was given a medal by a Russia-backed separatist republic for killing Ukrainian 'nationalists' |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-fighter-neo-nazi-symbols-medal-kill-ukraine-nationalist-2022-4?r=US&IR=T |quote=The head of the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine has been seen in a video awarding a medal to a fighter ... Published on April 3 through the Russia-backed republic's website, the footage also shows the fighter wearing symbols used by neo-Nazis. [...] the video posted on Pushilin's official website did not show Vorobyov receiving his medal}}

{{Main|International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic}}

{{See also|Luhansk People's Republic#International status}}

File:2014 Russo-ukrainian-conflict map.svg, which Russia annexed in 2014, is shown in pink. Pink in the Donbas region represents areas held by the DPR/LPR in September 2014 (cities in red)]]

The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) initially sought recognition as a sovereign state following its declaration of independence in April 2014. Subsequently, the DPR willingly acceded to the Russian Federation as a Russian federal subject in September–October 2022, effectively ceasing to exist as a sovereign state in any capacity and revoking its status as such in the eyes of the international community. The DPR claims direct succession to Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast.

From 2014 to 2022, Ukraine, the United Nations, and most of the international community regarded the DPR as an illegal entity occupying a portion of Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast (see: International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War). The Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), which had a similar backstory, was regarded in the exact same way. Crimea's status was treated slightly differently since Russia annexed that territory immediately after its declaration of independence in March 2014.

Up until February 2022, Russia did not recognise the DPR, although it maintained informal relations with the DPR. On 21 February 2022, Russia officially recognised the DPR and the LPR at the same time,{{Cite web |date=22 February 2022 |title=Путин подписал указы о признании ЛНР и ДНР. |trans-title= |url=https://tass.ru/politika/13792297 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221195832/https://tass.ru/politika/13792297 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |access-date=21 February 2022 |website=TASS |language=ru-RU}} marking a major escalation in the 2021–2022 diplomatic crisis between Russia and Ukraine. Three days later, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the entire country of Ukraine, partially under the pretext of protecting the DPR and the LPR. The war had wide-reaching repercussions for Ukraine, Russia, and the international community as a whole (see: War crimes, Humanitarian impact, Environmental impact, Economic impact, and Ukrainian cultural heritage). In September 2022, Russia made moves to consolidate the territories that it had occupied in Ukraine, including Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. Russia officially annexed these four territories in September–October 2022.

Between February 2022 and October 2022, in addition to receiving Russian recognition, the DPR was recognised by North Korea (13 July 2022){{cite news |date=13 July 2022 |title=Ukraine cuts N Korea ties over recognition of separatist regions |work=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/13/n-korea-recognises-breakaway-of-russias-proxies-in-east-ukraine |access-date=13 July 2022}} and Syria (29 June 2022).{{cite news |last1=Wagdy |first1=Lilian |last2=Najem |first2=Lina |date=29 June 2022 |title=Syria recognizes independence, sovereignty of Donetsk, Luhansk -state news agency |publisher=Reuters |editor-last=Evans |editor-first=Catherine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-recognizes-independence-sovereignty-donetsk-luhansk-state-news-agency-2022-06-29/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703150251/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-recognizes-independence-sovereignty-donetsk-luhansk-state-news-agency-2022-06-29/ |archive-date=3 July 2022}}{{Cite web |last=McFall |first=Caitlin |date=16 June 2022 |title=Syria to become first to recognize Donetsk, Luhansk 'republics' in Ukraine in support of Russia's war |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/syria-recognize-donetsk-luhansk-republics-ukraine-support-russia-war |access-date=29 June 2022 |website=Fox News}} This means that three United Nations member states recognised the DPR in total throughout its period of claimed independence. The DPR was also recognised by three other breakaway entities: the LPR, South Ossetia (19 June 2014),{{cite news |date=19 June 2014 |title=South Ossetia Recognizes 'Luhansk People's Republic' |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/south-ossetia-recognizes-luhansk-peoples-republic/25427651.html |url-status=live |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211083338/http://www.rferl.org/content/south-ossetia-recognizes-luhansk-peoples-republic/25427651.html |archive-date=11 December 2014}} and Abkhazia (25 February 2022).{{cite web|url=https://oc-media.org/abkhazia-recognises-ukraines-donetsk-and-luhansk/|title=Abkhazia recognises Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk|work=OC Media|date=26 February 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}}

The Ukrainian government passed the "{{ill|Law on the special status of Donbas|uk|Закон про особливий статус Донбасу}}" on 16 September 2014, which designated a special status within Ukraine on certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in line with the Minsk agreements.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} The status lasted for three years, and then was extended annually several times.{{cite web |date=15 December 2020 |title=Ukraine Extends Donbas Special Status Law By One Year |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-extends-donbas-special-status-law-one-year/31002369.html |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}

In January 2015, Ukraine declared the Russia-backed separatist republics in Donbas to be terrorist organizations.{{cite news |date=27 January 2015 |title=Pro-Russian rebels officially labelled terrorists by Ukraine government |publisher=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pro-russian-rebels-officially-labelled-terrorists-by-ukraine-government-1.2933845}}

Russia has recognised identity documents, diplomas, birth, and marriage certificates and vehicle registration plates as issued by the DPR and the LPR since 18 February 2017,{{cite news |author1=Maria Kiselyova |author2=Pavel Polityuk |editor=Adrian Croft |date=18 February 2017 |title=Putin orders Russia to recognize documents issued in rebel-held east Ukraine |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-documents-idUSKBN15X0KR |url-status=live |access-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219040112/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-documents-idUSKBN15X0KR |archive-date=19 February 2017}} enabling people living in DPR-controlled territories to travel, work, or study in Russia. According to the decree, it was signed {{qi|to protect human rights and freedoms}} in accordance with {{qi|the widely recognised principles of international humanitarian law}}.{{cite news |date=18 February 2017 |title=Putin Signs Decree Temporarily Recognizing Passports Issued By Separatists In Ukraine |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-putin-recognizes-separatist-passports/28317542.html |url-status=live |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218140236/http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-putin-recognizes-separatist-passports/28317542.html |archive-date=18 December 2020}}

On 21 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed agreements on friendship, cooperation, and assistance with DPR and the LPR, coinciding with Russia's official recognition of the two quasi-states. The Russian State Duma had approved a draft resolution appealing for him to recognize both quasi-states on 15 February.{{cite web |last=Light |first=Felix |date=15 February 2022 |title=Russian Parliament Backs Plan to Recognize Breakaway Ukrainian Regions |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/15/russian-parliament-backs-plan-to-recognize-breakaway-ukrainian-regions-a76381 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215131136/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/15/russian-parliament-backs-plan-to-recognize-breakaway-ukrainian-regions-a76381 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=The Moscow Times}} Shortly afterwards, Abkhazia also recognized the independence of the DPR.

According to the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, a number of European politicians from extreme-right and extreme-left have received all-expenses-paid trips to the Donetsk People's Republic.{{cite web | last=Coynash | first=Halya | title=Four years of Kremlin's 'Donbas republics' and their far-right and left-wing friends | website=Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group | date=11 May 2014 | url=https://khpg.org//en/1526307199 | access-date=6 April 2022|quote=politicians, usually from the far-right or extreme left, give when they appear for their all-expenses-paid visits, via Russia, to Donbas.}}

File:Dobrovoljci-sa-novorus.jpg in the Donbas.]]

As well as Russian far-right groups (see #Right-wing nationalism), the DPR has cultivated relations with other European far-right groups and activists. The Lansing Institute for Global Threats and Democracies Studies acquired a memorandum of cooperation between the DPR and the far-right Russian Imperial Movement, which trains foreign volunteers; including members of the neo-Nazi Atomwaffen Division and Der Dritte Weg.{{cite news |last=Sierra |first=Gustavo |date=14 June 2020 |title=Club Partizan, el campo de entrenamiento militar en Rusia para los neonazis del mundo (Club Partizan, the military training ground in Russia for the neo-Nazis of the world) |work=Infobae |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2020/06/14/club-partizan-el-campo-de-entrenamiento-militar-ruso-para-los-neonazis-del-mundo/ |access-date=22 August 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://malcontentment.com/washingtons-defunct-atomwaffen-division-had-deep-ties-to-the-terrorist-org-russia-imperialist-movement/|title=Washington's Defunct Atomwaffen Division had Deep Ties to the Terrorist Org, Russia Imperialist Movement|date= 6 August 2022|access-date=22 August 2022|work=Malcontent News|url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web|url=https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/russian-imperial-movement|title=MMP: Russian Imperial Movement|website=cisac.fsi.stanford.edu}}{{cite web|url=https://lansinginstitute.org/2020/06/09/combat-training-for-european-neo-nazis-in-russia/|title=Combat training for European neo-Nazis in Russia|publisher=Lansing Institute|date=14 January 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Vorkapić |first=Mirko |date=14 October 2022 |title=V 'denacifikacijo' Ukrajine tudi ruski neonacisti |trans-title=Russian neo-Nazis are also involved in the 'denazification' of Ukraine |work=24ur.com |url=https://www.24ur.com/novice/tujina/ukrajina/v-denacifikacijo-ukrajine-tudi-ruski-neonacisti.html}} Anton Shekhovtsov, an expert on far-right movements in Russia and abroad, reported in 2014 that Polish neo-fascist group "Falanga", Italian far-right group "Millennium" and French Eurasianists had joined the Donbas separatists.{{cite web |last=Shekhovtsov |first=Anton |date=6 June 2014 |title=Polish fascists are joining with pro-Russian right-wing extremists |url=http://anton-shekhovtsov.blogspot.com/2014/06/polish-fascists-are-joining-pro-russian.html |access-date= |website=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog}}{{cite web |last=Shekhovtsov |first=Anton |date=11 June 2014 |title=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog: Italian fascists from Millennium ally with pro-Russian right-wing extremists |url=http://anton-shekhovtsov.blogspot.com/2014/06/italian-fascists-from-millennium-ally.html |access-date= |website=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog}}{{cite web |last=Shekhovtsov |first=Anton |date=27 August 2014 |title=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog: French Eurasianists join (pro-)Russian extremists in Eastern Ukraine |url=http://anton-shekhovtsov.blogspot.com/2014/08/french-eurasianists-join-pro-russian.html |access-date= |website=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog}} Members of Serbian Action have also joined the Donbas separatists.Šmíd, Tomáš & Šmídová, Alexandra. (2021). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352051011_Anti-government_Non-state_Armed_Actors_in_the_Conflict_in_Eastern_Ukraine Anti-government Non-state Armed Actors in the Conflict in Eastern Ukraine]. Czech Journal of International Relations, Volume 56, Issue 2. pp.51–52.

According to Italian newspaper la Repubblica, well-known Italian neo-fascist Andrea Palmeri (former member of the far-right New Force party) has been fighting for the DPR since 2014, and was hailed by DPR leader Gubarev as a "real fascist".{{cite web |last=Bulfon |first=Floriana |date=5 April 2022 |title=Simboli nazisti sull'uniforme del combattente premiato dai filo-russi di Donetsk |url=https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2022/04/05/news/simboli_nazisti_sulluniforme_del_combattente_premiato_dai_filorussi_di_donetsk-344266282/ |access-date= |website=la Repubblica |language=it}} Other far-right activists with links to the DPR include 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, former leader of the National Rally.{{cite news|first=Pierre|last=Vaux|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/14/marine-le-pen-s-closest-advisor-comes-out-of-the-shadows-in-donetsk.html|title=Marine Le Pen's Closest Advisor Comes Out of the Shadows in Donetsk|date=14 May 2015|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=16 May 2015|archive-date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516222633/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/14/marine-le-pen-s-closest-advisor-comes-out-of-the-shadows-in-donetsk.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://khpg.org/index.php?id=1440810795|title=German neo-Nazi demonstrators with a Kremlin-backed militant cause|website=khpg.org|access-date=29 August 2015|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005161143/http://khpg.org/index.php?id=1440810795|url-status=live}}

Finnish neo-Nazis have been recruited for pro-Russian forces by local far-right pro-Russian parties.{{cite web|url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2021/11/29/some-20-finns-fought-against-ukraine-in-donbas-facing-no-consequences-in-finland-media/|title=Some 20 Finns fought against Ukraine in Donbas, facing no consequences in Finland – media|work=Euromaidan Press|date=13 May 2024|quote=“Johan Backman says that he continues to help Finns who have gone to Eastern Ukraine to fight. He does not feel responsible for the people he recruits.” Johan Bäckman is an important central figure for Finnish fighters, who had organized their travel from Finland to the Donbas and engaged them in illegal activities there. Janus Kostia Putkonen arrived in Donbas from Moscow via Rostov, southern Russia, in March 2015.}}{{Cite web|title=Itä-Ukrainassa Venäjän puolesta taistelleet suomalaiset kehuskelevat kokemuksillaan – muualla Euroopassa vierastaistelijoita on tuomittu rikoksista|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12153718|work=Finnish Broadcasting Company|date=12 January 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}{{Cite web|title=Wednesday's papers: Neo-nazi training, employment discrimination, fighting swans|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-11393801|work=Finnish Broadcasting Company|date=12 January 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}{{Cite web|title=Finnish Neo-Nazis attend paramilitary trainings in Russia |url=https://eurojewcong.org/news/communities-news/finland/finnish-neo-nazis-attend-paramilitary-trainings-in-russia/|work=European Jewish Congress|date=12 January 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}{{Cite web|title=Suomen uusnatsit hankkivat nyt oppia Venäjältä: järjestön koulutuskeskus järjestää haulikko- ja pistooliammuntaa, "partisaanikursseja" ja kieltää kiroilun|url=https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000006535647.html|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=12 January 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}} In addition to recruiting, Janus Putkonen also runs the Russian-funded DONi (Donbass International News Agency) and MV-media, which publish pro-Russian propaganda about the DPR.{{cite web|url=https://uacrisis.org/en/the-curious-case-of-janus-putkonen-how-propaganda-abroad-becomes-a-threat-at-home | title=The curious case of Janus Putkonen. How propaganda abroad becomes a threat at home | work=Uacrisis.org|date = 3 October 2019|access-date=22 August 2022}}{{cite web | url=https://www.kaleva.fi/analyysi-ita-ukrainan-propagandisti-janus-putkonen/4329873| title=Analyysi: Itä-Ukrainan propagandisti Janus Putkonen lyö Putinin leiman Helsingin Convoy-protestiin – monologeissa talvisota sotketaan Venäjän uhkapuheisiin | work=Kaleva |access-date=22 August 2022| language=fi }}

The DPR has also cultivated relations with various far-left groups. A small number of Spanish socialists travelled to Ukraine to fight for the separatists, with some explaining they were "repaying the favour" to Russia for the USSR's support to Republicans during the Spanish Civil War.{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Patrick |date=1 September 2014 |title=Ukraine war pulls in foreign fighters |work= |location=British Broadcasting Company |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28951324 |access-date=28 February 2022}} Spanish fighters founded the 'Carlos Palomino International Brigade', which flew the flag of the Second Spanish Republic. In 2015, it reportedly had less than ten members, and was later disbanded.{{cite web |date=7 September 2014 |title=Un grupo de españoles resucitan las Brigadas Internacionales y acuden a Ucrania a combatir |trans-title=A group of Spaniards resuscitate the International Brigades and go to Ukraine to fight |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-grupo-espanoles-resucitan-brigadas-internacionales-acuden-ucrania-combatir-guerra-hecho-20140907121638.html |access-date=5 July 2015 |publisher=Europapress |language=es}}

A female member of the Israeli Communist Party also reportedly fought for the separatists in 2015.{{cite web |last=Sokol |first=Sam |date=20 August 2015 |title=Israeli communist joins Ukrainian rebels to fight 'fascists and neo-Nazis' |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/israeli-communist-joins-ukrainian-rebels-to-fight-fascists-and-neo-nazis-412785 |access-date=28 February 2022 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post}} Other examples of far-left groups fighting for the separatists were the 'DKO' (Volunteer Communist Unit) and the Interunit, which has been inactive since 2017.{{cite web |script-title=ru:Координационный центр помощи Новороссии |trans-title=Coordinational Centre for the assistance of Novorossia |url=http://kcpn.info/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421032601/http://kcpn.info/ |archive-date=21 April 2015 |access-date=5 January 2015 |publisher=kcpn.info/ |language=ru}}{{Cite web |author1=Susan Witt-Stahl |date=17 September 2016 |title=Ucraina, un reportage sulla Brigata Fantasma |url=https://contropiano.org/documenti/2016/09/17/ucraina-un-reportage-sulla-brigata-fantasma-083586 |website=contropiano.org |language=it}}

The Italian communist ska punk group Banda Bassotti has also been active in support of the DPR and has organized trips to Donetsk, one of which saw the participation of Eleonora Forenza, a member of the European Parliament for the Communist Refoundation Party.{{cite web |last=Rubino |first=Monica |date=8 May 2017 |title=Ucraina, Forenza e "Banda Bassotti" in Donbass con la Carovana antifascista. Kiev li vuole processare per terrorismo |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/05/08/news/forenza_e_banda_bassotti_in_donbass_con_la_carovana_antifascita_kiev_li_vuole_processare_per_terrorismo-164918963/ |access-date= |website=la Repubblica |language=it}} Andrej Hunko, a member of the German parliament for the far-left party Die Linke, also travelled to Donetsk to support the separatists.{{cite web |last=Tsalov |first=Yordan |date=28 July 2020 |title=Andrej Hunko and the Party Borotba: Propaganda from the Kremlin to the Bundestag |url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2020/07/28/andrej-hunko-and-the-party-borotba-propaganda-from-the-kremlin-to-the-bundestag/ |access-date= |website=Bellingcat}}

The DPR has its own central bank, the Donetsk Republican Bank. The republic's economy is frequently described as dependent on contraband and gunrunning,{{cite news|language=ru|url=http://pda.pravda.com.ua/columns/id_7070277/|title=Енріке Менендес: Чи є сенс у блокаді Донбасу?|trans-title=Enrique Menendez: Does it make sense to blockade Donbas?|newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda|date=6 June 2015|access-date=6 June 2015|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928124632/http://pda.pravda.com.ua/columns/id_7070277/|url-status=live}} 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.

By late October 2014, many banks and other businesses in the DPR were shut, and people were often left without social benefits payments. 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.[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-15/the-central-bank-with-no-currency-no-interest-rates-but-atms The Central Bank With No Currency, No Interest Rates, But ATMs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320025115/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-15/the-central-bank-with-no-currency-no-interest-rates-but-atms |date=20 March 2017 }}, Bloomberg News (16 16 September 2015) By mid-February 2016 Russia had sent 48 humanitarian convoys to rebel-held territory that were said to have delivered more than 58,000 tons of cargo including food, medicines, construction materials, diesel generators and fuel and lubricants.[http://tass.ru/en/politics/856820 Official: Moscow will return control over eastern border to Kiev after crisis is settled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009041924/http://tass.ru/en/politics/856820 |date=9 October 2016 }}, Russian News Agency TASS (15 February 2016) President Poroshenko called this a "flagrant violation of international law" and Valentyn Nalyvaychenko said it was a "direct invasion".{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28892525 | title=Ukraine crisis: Russia aid convoy 'invades Ukraine' | work=BBC News | date=22 August 2014 | access-date=21 July 2018 | archive-date=4 January 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104091538/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28892525 | url-status=live }}

Reuters in late October 2014 reported long lines at soup kitchens. In the same month in at least one factory, workers no longer received wages, only food rations.{{cite news | url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraine-oligarch-put-on-spot-as-pro-russian-rebels-nibble-at-his-empire/510065.html | title=Ukraine Oligarch Put on Spot as Pro-Russian Rebels Nibble at His Empire | newspaper=The Moscow Times | date=26 October 2014 | access-date=30 October 2014 | archive-date=30 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030200924/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraine-oligarch-put-on-spot-as-pro-russian-rebels-nibble-at-his-empire/510065.html | url-status=live }}

By June 2015, due to logistical and transport problems, prices in DPR-controlled territory are significantly higher than in territory controlled by Ukraine. This led to an increase of supplies (of more expensive products and those of lower quality) from Russia. Mines and heavy-industry facilities damaged by shelling were forced to close, undermining the wider chain of economic ties in the region. Three industrial facilities were under DPR "temporary management" by late October 2014. By early June 2015, 80% of companies physically located in the Donetsk People's Republic had re-registered on territory under Ukrainian control.

The new ruling elites of the DPR have displaced the previous oligarchic structures in the region.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 {{Cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342983357 |title=The Political Economy of the Post-Soviet de Facto States: A Paired Comparison of Transnistria and the Donetsk People's Republic | Request PDF |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818175120/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342983357_The_Political_Economy_of_the_Post-Soviet_De_Facto_States_A_Paired_Comparison_of_Transnistria_and_the_Donetsk_People%27s_Republic |url-status=bot: unknown }} The new powerholders expropriated profitable businesses. For instance, Rinat Akhmetov lost control over his assets in the region after they were nationalised. Under Russia's guidance, the republic set up trade and production monopolies through which the trade in coal and steel is organised. 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 through the common border.

A DPR official often promised financial support from Russia without giving specific details. Prime Minister Aleksandr Zakharchenko in late October 2014 stated that {{qi|We have the Russian Federation's agreement in principle on granting us special conditions on gas (deliveries)}}. Zakharchenko also claimed that {{qi|And, finally, we managed to link up with the financial and banking structure of the Russian Federation}}. When Reuters tried to get more details from a source close to Zakharchenko the only reply was {{qi|Money likes silence}}. Early October 2014 Zakharchenko stated, {{qi|The economy will be complete, if possible, oriented towards the Russian market. We consider Russia our strategic partner}}. According to Zakharchenko this would {{qi|secure our economy from impacts from outside, including from Ukraine}}.[http://tass.ru/en/world/753972 Donetsk Republic PM speaks in favour of economic cooperation with Russia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402172751/http://tass.ru/en/world/753972 |date=2 April 2015 }}, Information Telegraph Agency of Russia (12 October 2014) According to Yury Makohon, from the Ukrainian National Institute for Strategic Studies, {{qi|Trade volume between Russia and Donetsk Oblast has seen a massive slump since the beginning of 2014}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/separatists-cause-economic-slump-in-donbas/a-17724764|title=Separatists cause economic slump in Donbas|publisher=Deutsche Welle|access-date=18 February 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810155451/http://www.dw.com/en/separatists-cause-economic-slump-in-donbas/a-17724764|url-status=live}} Since Russia did not recognise the legal status of the self-proclaimed republic, all the trade it did with it was on the basis of Ukrainian law.

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. Cash shortages are widespread and, due to a lack of roubles, the hryvnia is the most-used currency. 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.{{cite web|url=http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukraine-s-intel-reveals-how-much-cash-moscow-forwards-to-militants-in-may-649987.html|title=Ukraine's intel reveals how much cash Moscow forwards to militants in May|website=uatoday.tv|access-date=21 June 2016|archive-date=21 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621144353/http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukraine-s-intel-reveals-how-much-cash-moscow-forwards-to-militants-in-may-649987.html|url-status=live}}

Since late February 2015, DPR-controlled territories receive their natural gas directly from Russia. According to Russia, Ukraine should pay for these deliveries; Ukraine claims it does not receive payments for the supplies from DPR-controlled territory.[http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2015-02-25/russian-gas-donbas-games-being-played-kyiv-and-brussels Russian gas for the Donbas: the games being played with Kyiv and Brussels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704220312/http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2015-02-25/russian-gas-donbas-games-being-played-kyiv-and-brussels |date=4 July 2015 }}, Centre for Eastern Studies (25 February 2015){{cite news |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/reu-russia-ukraine-trade-barbs-over-politics-gas/2846119.html |title=Russia, Ukraine Clash Over Politics, Gas |publisher=Voice of America |agency=Reuters |date=2 July 2015 |access-date=14 October 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305231402/http://m.voanews.com/a/reu-russia-ukraine-trade-barbs-over-politics-gas/2846119.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/275601.html|website=Interfax-Ukraine|date=2 July 2015|title=Ukraine not planning to supply gas to uncontrolled areas of Donbas in 2015/2016 heating season – energy minister|access-date=2 July 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703012444/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/275601.html|url-status=live}} Since 25 November 2015 Ukraine has halted all its imports of (and payments for) natural gas from Russia.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34920207 Ukraine closes airspace to all Russian planes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723200705/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34920207 |date=23 July 2018 }}, BBC News (25 November 2015)

The DPR set up its own mobile network operator called Feniks, which was to be fully operational by the end of the summer of 2015. On 5 February 2015, Kyivstar claimed that Feniks illegally used equipment that they officially gave up in territories controlled by pro-Russian separatists. On 18 April 2015, Prime Minister Zakharchenko issued a decree stating that all equipment given up by Kyivstar fell under the control of the separatists in order to "meet the needs of the population in the communication services".[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/business/kremlin-separatist-area-gets-its-own-mobile-operator-390356.html Kremlin-separatist area gets its own mobile operator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606011953/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/business/kremlin-separatist-area-gets-its-own-mobile-operator-390356.html |date=6 June 2015 }}, Kyiv Post (5 June 2015)
[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/248826.html Kyivstar switches off mobile network in militant-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622170022/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/248826.html |date=22 June 2015 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (5 February 2015) The SIM cards of Feniks display the slogan "Connection for the victory".{{cite web|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/mobile-connection-partially-restored-war-torn-east-ukraine-180205890.html|title=Mobile connection partially restored in war-torn east Ukraine|date=19 January 2018 |publisher=Yahoo! News|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-date=19 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119203858/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/mobile-connection-partially-restored-war-torn-east-ukraine-180205890.html|url-status=live}}

In mid-March 2017, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a temporary ban on the movement of goods to and from territory controlled by DPR and LPR. Ukraine has not bought coal from the Donets Black Coal Basin since then.[https://economics.unian.info/2338645-ukrainian-energy-industry-thorny-road-of-reform.html Ukrainian energy industry: thorny road of reform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110164106/https://economics.unian.info/2338645-ukrainian-energy-industry-thorny-road-of-reform.html |date=10 January 2018 }}, Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (10 January 2018)

Anthracite mines under DPR control reportedly supply coal to Poland through Russian shell companies to disguise its real origin.{{cite web|url=https://notesfrompoland.com/2019/11/28/less-gas-more-coal-polands-contradictory-approach-to-russian-energy-imports/|title=Less gas, more coal: Poland's contradictory approach to Russian energy imports|date=28 November 2019|website=Notes From Poland|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203091840/https://notesfrompoland.com/2019/11/28/less-gas-more-coal-polands-contradictory-approach-to-russian-energy-imports/|url-status=live}}

According to Ukrainian and Russian media, the coal export company Vneshtorgservis, owned by Serhiy Kurchenko, owes massive debts to coal mines located in separatist-controlled territory and other local companies.[https://ukrainianweek.com/Society/240111 The age of marauders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203012016/https://ukrainianweek.com/Society/240111 |date=3 February 2020 }}, The Ukrainian Week (2 February 2020)

Sergey Zdrilyuk ("Abwehr"), former deputy of DPR 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 a 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.{{cite web|date=2 June 2020|title="Интервью с Гордоном – просто фарс": Герой Донбасса рассказал о "работе на понты" Стрелкова-Гиркина|url=https://tsargrad.tv/news/intervju-s-gordonom-prosto-fars-geroj-donbassa-rasskazal-o-rabote-na-ponty-strelkova-girkina_257577|access-date=3 June 2020|website=tsargrad.tv|language=ru|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130231444/https://tsargrad.tv/news/intervju-s-gordonom-prosto-fars-geroj-donbassa-rasskazal-o-rabote-na-ponty-strelkova-girkina_257577|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Kazanskiy|first=Denis|year=2020|title=Соратник Стрелкова рассказал всю правду о преступлениях "ополчения" ДНР|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHQRAGXAJ-E|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609121541/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHQRAGXAJ-E&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Humanitarian situation during the war in Donbas}}

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".[https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53359 Ukraine: growing despair among over three million civilians in a conflict zone – UN report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320025107/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53359 |date=20 March 2017 }}, United Nations (3 March 2016)
{{cite book | url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/Ukraine_13th_HRMMU_Report_3March2016.pdf | title=Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 16 November 2015 to 15 February 2016 | publisher=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights | date=3 March 2016 | access-date=3 March 2016 | archive-date=6 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306083551/http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/Ukraine_13th_HRMMU_Report_3March2016.pdf | url-status=live }}

Freedom House evaluates the eastern Donbas territories controlled by the DPR and LPR as "not free", scoring 4 out of 100 in its 2022 Freedom in the World index, noting issues with severe political and media repression, numerous reports of torture, and arbitrary detention.{{cite web |title=Eastern Donbas: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/eastern-donbas/freedom-world/2022 |access-date=7 October 2022 |website=Freedom House}} The Guardian noted on 17 February 2022 that {{qi|Public opposition in the DPR is virtually non-existent.}}{{cite web |last=Roth |first=Andrew |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/what-is-the-background-to-the-separatists-attack-in-east-ukraine |title=What is the background to the separatist attack in east Ukraine? |work=The Guardian |date=17 February 2022 |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221195021/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/what-is-the-background-to-the-separatists-attack-in-east-ukraine |url-status=live}}

File:2021-10-23. Протесты в Донецке против бездействия ОБСЕ DSC 1400.jpg's inaction in Donbas, 23 October 2021]]

An 18 November 2014 United Nations report on eastern Ukraine stated that the DPR was in a state of "total breakdown of law and order". 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".[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30126207 Almost 1,000 dead since east Ukraine truce – UN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903013315/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30126207 |date=3 September 2018 }}, BBC News (21 November 2014)
[http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-un-idUKKCN0J40X820141120 Ukraine death toll rises to more than 4,300 despite ceasefire – U.N.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916164718/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-un-idUKKCN0J40X820141120 |date=16 September 2016 }}, Reuters (21 November 2014) 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".{{cite web|url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/OHCHR_seventh_reportUkraine20.11.14.pdf|title=7th Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 15 November 2014|work=OHCHR|date=20 November 2014|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924055651/http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/OHCHR_seventh_reportUkraine20.11.14.pdf|url-status=live}} 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.[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/239935.html Majority of human rights violations in Ukraine committed by militants – UN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215213423/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/239935.html |date=15 December 2014 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (15 December 2014)

The United Nations report also accused the Ukrainian Army and Ukrainian (volunteer) territorial defence battalions, including the Azov Battalion,{{cite news|last=Bershidsky|first=Leonid|author-link=Leonid Bershidsky|url=http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-06-12/ukraine-s-neo-nazis-won-t-get-u-s-money|title=Ukraine's Neo-Nazis Won't Get U.S. Money|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=12 June 2015|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120125547/http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-06-12/ukraine-s-neo-nazis-won-t-get-u-s-money|archive-date=20 November 2015}}{{cite news|last=Parfitt|first=Tom|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11025137/Ukraine-crisis-the-neo-Nazi-brigade-fighting-pro-Russian-separatists.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11025137/Ukraine-crisis-the-neo-Nazi-brigade-fighting-pro-Russian-separatists.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ukraine crisis: the neo-Nazi brigade fighting pro-Russian separatists|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 August 2014|access-date=9 December 2016}}{{cbignore}} of human rights abuses such as illegal detention, torture and ill-treatment of DPR and LPR supporters, noting official denials.{{cite web|url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/OHCHR_seventh_reportUkraine20.11.14.pdf|title=Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 15 November 2014|work=OHCHR|date=15 November 2014|access-date=9 December 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025225324/http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/OHCHR_seventh_reportUkraine20.11.14.pdf|url-status=live}} Amnesty International reported on 24 December 2014 that pro-government volunteer battalions were blocking Ukrainian aid convoys from entering separatist-controlled territory.{{cite press release|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/12/eastern-ukraine-humanitarian-disaster-looms-food-aid-blocked/|title=Eastern Ukraine: Humanitarian disaster looms as food aid blocked|publisher=Amnesty International|date=24 December 2014|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626044635/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/12/eastern-ukraine-humanitarian-disaster-looms-food-aid-blocked/|url-status=live}}

On 24 July, Human Rights Watch accused the pro-Russian fighters of not taking measures to avoid encamping in densely populated civilian areas." It also accused Ukrainian government forces and pro-government volunteer battalions of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, stating that {{qi|The use of indiscriminate rockets in populated areas violates international humanitarian law, or the laws of war, and may amount to war crimes.}}"[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/07/25/human-rights-watch-ukrainian-forces-are-rocketing-civilians/ Human Rights Watch: Ukrainian forces are rocketing civilians] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020060301/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/07/25/human-rights-watch-ukrainian-forces-are-rocketing-civilians/ |date=20 October 2017 }}". The Washington Post. 25 July 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/24/ukraine-unguided-rockets-killing-civilians|title=Ukraine: Unguided Rockets Killing Civilians – Stop Use of Grads in Populated Areas|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=24 July 2014|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724231853/http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/24/ukraine-unguided-rockets-killing-civilians|archive-date=24 July 2014}}

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 DPR 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 a DPR leader 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". 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".{{cite web | url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/9thOHCHRreportUkraine.pdf#sthash.HFQs2pv2.dpuf | title=Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine: 1 December 2014 to 15 February 2015 | publisher=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights | date=2 March 2015 | access-date=3 March 2015 | page=4 | archive-date=10 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510041717/https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/9thOHCHRreportUkraine.pdf#sthash.HFQs2pv2.dpuf | url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/batman-pro-russian-separatist-death-blamed-ukraine-separatists-1481805 |title=Who killed Batman? Pro-Russian separatist's death blamed on Ukraine and other separatists |work=International Business Times |date=4 January 2015 |access-date=10 May 2015 |archive-date=14 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514050638/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/batman-pro-russian-separatist-death-blamed-ukraine-separatists-1481805 |url-status=live }}

In September 2015, OSCE published a report on the testimonies of victims held in places of illegal detention in Donbas.{{cite web|url=http://www.osce.org/odihr/185431|title=Surviving hell – testimonies of victims on places of illegal detention in Donbas|work=Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights|publisher=osce.org|date=25 September 2015|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527220432/http://www.osce.org/odihr/185431|url-status=live}} In December 2015, a team led by Małgorzata Gosiewska published a comprehensive report on war crimes in Donbas.{{cite web|last=Gosiewska|first=Małgorzata|author-link=Małgorzata Gosiewska|url=http://www.donbasswarcrimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Russian_War_Crimes_in_Eastern_Ukraine_in_2014.pdf|title=Report: Russian War Crimes in Eastern Ukraine in 2014 (First published December 2015)|publisher=donbasswarcrimes.org|date=2 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615195424/http://www.donbasswarcrimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Russian_War_Crimes_in_Eastern_Ukraine_in_2014.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2016|url-status=dead}}

Alleged members of the Donetsk Republic carrying the flag of the Russian Federation,{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/17/jews-ordered-to-register-in-east-ukraine/7816951/|title=Jews ordered to register in east Ukraine|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=17 April 2014|quote="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."|archive-date=17 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417205638/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/17/jews-ordered-to-register-in-east-ukraine/7816951/|url-status=live}} 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'.{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4510688,00.html|title=Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation|work=Ynet|access-date=16 April 2014|last=Margalit|first=Michal|archive-date=8 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508113401/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4510688,00.html|url-status=dead}} 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 Bandera Junta," and "oppose the pro-Slavic People's Republic of Donetsk". The authenticity of the leaflet could not be independently verified.{{cite news|last=Mezzofiore|first=Gianluca|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/donetsk-pro-russians-order-jews-register-be-deported-supporting-kiev-rule-1445111|title=Donetsk Pro-Russians Order Jews to 'Register or be Deported' for Supporting Kiev Rule|newspaper=International Business Times|date=16 April 2014|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416210435/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/donetsk-pro-russians-order-jews-register-be-deported-supporting-kiev-rule-1445111|archive-date=16 April 2014}} The New York Times, Haaretz, and The New Republic said the fliers were "most likely a hoax".{{cite news|last=Nyhan|first=Brendan|author-link=Brendan Nyhan|title=The Downside of Registering Outrage|date=24 April 2014|access-date=9 December 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/upshot/the-downside-of-registering-outrage.html|newspaper=The New York Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512225404/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/upshot/the-downside-of-registering-outrage.html?_r=0|archive-date=12 May 2014}}{{cite news|title=Flier calling on Donetsk Jews to register now widely seen as fake|access-date=11 May 2014|url=http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-1.586174|newspaper=Haaretz|archive-date=2 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302055845/http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-1.586174|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=Relax Ukraine is Not Ordering Its Jews to Register|access-date=11 May 2014|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117415/relax-ukraine-not-ordering-its-jews-register|magazine=New Republic|archive-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510192621/http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117415/relax-ukraine-not-ordering-its-jews-register|url-status=dead}} France 24 also reported on the questionable authenticity of the leaflets.{{cite web|title=Ukraine: authenticity of anti-Semitic leaflets under scrutiny in Donetsk|url=http://observers.france24.com/en/20140418-ukraine-authenticity-anti-semitic-leaflets-targeting-jews-donetsk-under-scrutiny|publisher=France 24|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430233211/http://observers.france24.com/content/20140418-ukraine-authenticity-anti-semitic-leaflets-targeting-jews-donetsk-under-scrutiny|archive-date=30 April 2014|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|title=Ukraine Leaflets Calling for Jewish Registration 'Were Faked'|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-leaflets-calling-jewish-registration-were-faked-1445383|newspaper=International Business Times|date=19 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420053811/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-leaflets-calling-jewish-registration-were-faked-1445383|archive-date=20 April 2014|url-status=dead}} The chief rabbi of Donetsk Pinchas Vishedski stated that the flyer was a fake meant to discredit the self-proclaimed republic,{{cite news|title=Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax|first=Alec|last=Luhn|access-date=11 May 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/antisemitic-donetsk-peoples-republic-ukraine-hoax|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420015208/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/antisemitic-donetsk-peoples-republic-ukraine-hoax|url-status=dead}} and saying that anti-Semitic incidents in eastern Ukraine are "rare, unlike in Kyiv and western Ukraine"{{cite news|title=Ukraine rabbi seeks end to anti-Semitism row – in vain|first1=Aleksandar|last1=Vasovic|first2=Alastair|last2=MacDonald|date=19 April 2014|access-date=18 May 2014|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-jews-idUSBREA3I0ES20140419?feedType=RSS&feedName=everything&virtualBrandChannel=11563|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519024053/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/19/us-ukraine-crisis-jews-idUSBREA3I0ES20140419?feedType=RSS&feedName=everything&virtualBrandChannel=11563|archive-date=19 May 2014|url-status=dead}} and believes the men were 'trying to use the Jewish community in Donetsk as an instrument in the conflict;'{{cite news|title=Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/antisemitic-donetsk-peoples-republic-ukraine-hoax|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Alec|last=Luhn|date=18 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419105407/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/antisemitic-donetsk-peoples-republic-ukraine-hoax|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|last=Nemtsova|first=Anna|title=Jews in East Ukraine Are Being Threatened, But By Whom?|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/17/jews-in-east-ukraine-are-being-threatened-but-by-whom.html|newspaper=The Daily Beast|date=17 April 2014|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=17 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417214431/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/17/jews-in-east-ukraine-are-being-threatened-but-by-whom.html|url-status=live}}

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Religion in Donbas (Donetsk + Luhansk) (2016)[http://old.razumkov.org.ua/upload/Religiya_200516_A4.compressed.pdf РЕЛІГІЯ, ЦЕРКВА, СУСПІЛЬСТВО І ДЕРЖАВА: ДВА РОКИ ПІСЛЯ МАЙДАНУ (Religion, Church, Society and State: Two Years after Maidan)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422181327/http://old.razumkov.org.ua/upload/Religiya_200516_A4.compressed.pdf |date=22 April 2017 }}, 2016 report by Razumkov Center in collaboration with the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches. pp. 27–29.

| label1 = Not religious, agnostics and atheists

| value1 = 43

| color1 = Honeydew

| label2 = Eastern Orthodoxy

| value2 = 28.9

| color2 = Orchid

| label3 = Simply Christianity

| value3 = 6.8

| color3 = Turquoise

| label4 = Islam

| value4 = 3.4

| color4 = Green

| label5 = Protestantism

| value5 = 1.4

| color5 = DodgerBlue

| label6 = Hinduism

| value6 = 0.3

| color6 = Orange

| label7 = Other religions

| value7 = 16.1

| color7 = Chartreuse

}}

At first the DPR adopted a constitution which stated that the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was the official religion of the self-declared state.{{cite news|last1=Blair |first1=David |title=Beaten and threatened: the 'Donetsk People's Republic' turns on city's priests |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10880652/Beaten-and-threatened-the-Donetsk-Peoples-Republic-turns-on-citys-priests.html |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=18 June 2014 |archive-date=19 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619093823/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10880652/Beaten-and-threatened-the-Donetsk-Peoples-Republic-turns-on-citys-priests.html |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Miletitch |first=Nicolas |title=Ukraine crisis deepens rift between Orthodox Churches |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-crisis-deepens-rift-between-orthodox-churches-044052410.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606195509/http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-crisis-deepens-rift-between-orthodox-churches-044052410.html|archive-date=6 June 2014 |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=3 June 2014 |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web|last=Pistone|first=Luca|url=https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/paganos-rodnovery-participan-conflicto-ucraniano-143039699.html|title=Paganos de Rodnovery también participan en el conflicto ucraniano|trans-title=Rodnovery Pagans are also involved in the Ukrainian conflict|language=es|publisher=es-us.noticias.yahoo.com|date=15 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210182424/https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/paganos-rodnovery-participan-conflicto-ucraniano-143039699.html|archive-date=10 December 2015}}[https://meduza.io/en/feature/2016/03/07/locked-up-in-the-donbas "Locked up in the Donbas A look at the mass arrests and torture of civilians in Donetsk and Lugansk"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012311/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2016/03/07/locked-up-in-the-donbas |date=2 September 2018 }}. Meduza, 7 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2017. The new law caused the dissatisfaction of Metropolitan Hilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol of the Moscow Patriarchate church.{{Cite web|url=https://www.62.ua/news/1036733/doneckij-mitropolit-nedovolen-zakonom-dnr-o-svobode-sovesti|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210182917/http://www.62.ua/news/1036733|url-status=dead|title=Донецкий митрополит недоволен "законом ДНР" "О свободе совести"|archivedate=10 December 2015|website=62.ua – Сайт города Донецка}}

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.

Hundreds of Romani families fled Donbas in 2014.{{cite web |title=Ukrainian Roma: The government treats us like stepchildren |date=13 June 2014 |url=http://www.romea.cz/en/news/world/ukrainian-roma-the-government-treats-us-like-stepchildren |publisher=Romea.cz |access-date=13 July 2014 |archive-date=17 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417100748/http://www.romea.cz/en/news/world/ukrainian-roma-the-government-treats-us-like-stepchildren |url-status=live }} The News of Donbas reported that members of the Donbas People's Militia engaged in assaults and robbery on the Romani (also known as gypsies) population of Sloviansk. The armed separatists beat women and children, looted homes, and carried off the stolen goods in trucks, according to eyewitnesses.{{cite news|title=Pro-Russian Separatists Loot, Assault Romani in Sloviansk|url=http://ukrainianpolicy.com/pro-russian-separatists-loot-assault-romani-in-sloviansk/|newspaper=Ukrainian Policy|date=19 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=22 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422030418/http://ukrainianpolicy.com/pro-russian-separatists-loot-assault-romani-in-sloviansk/|url-status=live}}{{Better source needed|date=May 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/910549-v-slavyanske-snova-ustroili-romskiy-pogrom.html|title=В Славянске снова устроили ромский погром|trans-title=Another pogrom against the gypsies occurred in Sloviansk|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=23 March 2014|access-date=23 April 2014|archive-date=23 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423225928/http://www.unian.net/politics/910549-v-slavyanske-snova-ustroili-romskiy-pogrom.html|url-status=live}} Romani fled en masse to live with relatives in other parts of the country, fearing ethnic cleansing, displacement and murder. Some men who decided to remain formed militia groups to protect their families and homes.{{cite web|url=http://www.romea.cz/en/features-and-commentary/reportage/russia-and-fascism-when-the-thief-cries-stop-thief#.U2PLXTpcf1s.facebook|title=Russia and Fascism: When the thief cries "Stop thief!"|publisher=Romea.cz|date=30 April 2014|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=4 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504052223/http://www.romea.cz/en/features-and-commentary/reportage/russia-and-fascism-when-the-thief-cries-stop-thief#.U2PLXTpcf1s.facebook|url-status=live}} DPR Mayor Ponomarev said the attacks were only against gypsies who were involved in drug trafficking, and that he was 'cleaning the city from drugs.'{{cite news|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/223263/|script-title=ru:Сепаратисты объяснили погромы ромов в Славянске|trans-title=Separatists explained the gypsy pogroms in Sloviansk|publisher=Novosti Donetsk|language=ru|date=20 April 2014|access-date=20 April 2014|archive-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421050956/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/223263/|url-status=live}} The US mission to the OSCE and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk condemned these actions.{{cite news|title=Statement of Concern Regarding Attacks on gypsies in Ukraine |url=http://osce.usmission.gov/may_8_14_ukraine_roma.html |newspaper=USOSCE |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=9 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231031/http://osce.usmission.gov/may_8_14_ukraine_roma.html |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/909791-yatsenyuk-poruchil-privlekat-k-otvetstvennosti-za-rasprostranenie-antisemitizma-i-ksenofobii.html|script-title=ru:Яценюк поручил привлекать к ответственности за распространение антисемитизма и ксенофобии|trans-title=Yatsenyuk orders prosecutions of those spreading anti-Semitism and xenophobia|language=ru|date=19 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420022602/http://www.unian.net/politics/909791-yatsenyuk-poruchil-privlekat-k-otvetstvennosti-za-rasprostranenie-antisemitizma-i-ksenofobii.html|url-status=live}}

{{Broader|LGBT people in the Russo-Ukrainian War}}

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 jewellery and other valuables; the assailants fired shots in the club, and several people were hurt.{{cite news|date=10 June 2014|access-date=12 June 2014|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/video-2/ukraine-news-one-donetsk-gay-club-attacked-by-separatists-video-351341.html|title=Ukraine News One: Donetsk gay club attacked by separatists (VIDEO)|newspaper=Kyiv Post|archive-date=10 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610161831/http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/video-2/ukraine-news-one-donetsk-gay-club-attacked-by-separatists-video-351341.html|url-status=dead}} In July 2015, a DPR Ministry of Information spokesperson stated "there are no gays in Donetsk, as they all went to Kyiv".[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/gays-in-donetsk-face-fear-as-russian-influence-takes-grip-394704.html Gays in Donetsk face fear as Russian influence takes grip] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801001108/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/gays-in-donetsk-face-fear-as-russian-influence-takes-grip-394704.html |date=1 August 2015 }}, Kyiv Post (31 July 2015) In 2015, the Deputy Minister of Political Affairs of the Donetsk People's Republic stated: "A culture of homosexuality is spreading{{nbsp}}... This is why we must kill anyone who is involved in this."{{cite web|url=https://adcmemorial.org/wp-content/uploads/lgbtENG_fullwww.pdf|title=Violation of LGBTI Rights in Crimea and Donbass: The Problem of Homophobia in Territories Beyond Ukraine's Control|publisher=Center for Civil Liberties|year=2016|access-date=6 July 2019|page=24|archive-date=6 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706094703/https://adcmemorial.org/wp-content/uploads/lgbtENG_fullwww.pdf|url-status=live}}

On 18 April 2014, Vyacheslav Ponomarev asked local residents of Sloviansk to report all suspicious persons, especially if they were speaking Ukrainian. He also promised that the local media would publish a phone number to report them.{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/909679-separatistyi-v-slavyanske-obyyavili-ohotu-na-ukrainoyazyichnyih-smi.html|title=Сепаратисты в Славянске объявили "охоту" на украиноязычных – СМИ|trans-title=Sloviansk separatists declared a "hunt" for people speaking the Ukrainian language|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=18 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421015338/http://www.unian.net/politics/909679-separatistyi-v-slavyanske-obyyavili-ohotu-na-ukrainoyazyichnyih-smi.html|url-status=live}}

An 18 November 2014 United Nations report on eastern Ukraine stated that the DPR violated the rights of Ukrainian-speaking children because schools in rebel-controlled areas teach only in Russian and forbid pupils to speak Ukrainian. In its May 2014 constitution, the DPR regime declared Russian and Ukrainian its official languages. However, in March 2020, Russian was declared to be the sole official language of the DPR.

{{Main|Izolyatsia prison}}

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. 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/24/world/europe/ukraine-cnn-fixer-abducted/|title=Journalist working for CNN detained in Ukraine|first1=Ivan|last1=Watson|first2=Ingrid|last2=Formanek|publisher=CNN|date=24 July 2014|access-date=26 July 2014|archive-date=26 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726205718/http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/24/world/europe/ukraine-cnn-fixer-abducted|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite press release | url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/ukraine-mounting-evidence-of-war-crimes-and-russian-involvement | title=Ukraine: Mounting evidence of war crimes and Russian involvement | publisher=Amnesty International | date=5 September 2014 | access-date=3 January 2015 | archive-date=4 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104000714/http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/ukraine-mounting-evidence-of-war-crimes-and-russian-involvement | url-status=live }} Amnesty International and the (OHCHR) also raised similar concerns about Radical Party leader and Ukrainian MP Oleh Lyashko and his militia.{{cite press release | url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/impunity-reigns-for-abductions-and-ill-treatment-by-pro-kyiv-vigilantes-in-eastern-ukraine | title=Impunity reigns for abductions and ill-treatment by pro-Kyiv vigilantes in eastern Ukraine | publisher=Amnesty International | date=6 August 2014 | access-date=9 August 2014 | archive-date=10 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810071542/http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/impunity-reigns-for-abductions-and-ill-treatment-by-pro-kyiv-vigilantes-in-eastern-ukraine | url-status=live }}

Donetsk has also observed significant rise in violent crime (homicide, rape, including underage victims) under the control of separatist forces.{{cite news|title = Robbery, rape and murder: Life in occupied Ukraine becomes a nightmare|url = http://uatoday.tv/crime/robbery-rape-and-murder-life-in-occupied-ukraine-becomes-a-nightmare-447846.html|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|access-date = 30 June 2015|archive-date = 4 July 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150704014645/http://uatoday.tv/crime/robbery-rape-and-murder-life-in-occupied-ukraine-becomes-a-nightmare-447846.html|url-status = live}}{{better source needed|date=February 2022}} In July 2015 local authorities of Druzhkovka, previously occupied by separatist forces, exposed a previous torture site in one of the town's cellars.{{cite web|title = Ужасные кадры из пыточной террористов в Дружковке (ВИДЕО)|url = http://bbcccnn.com.ua/archives/7932|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150709005411/http://bbcccnn.com.ua/archives/7932|archive-date = 9 July 2015|access-date = 9 July 2015}}

On 2 June 2017 the freelance journalist Stanislav Aseyev was abducted. Firstly the DPR "government" denied knowing his whereabouts but on 16 July, an agent of the DPR'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 DPR-controlled territory.{{cite press release | url=https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2017-07/FI16017_2.pdf?TRhWAnU9V9A389Kj6RGAvval.yqFVY_j | title=Urgent Action: Imprisoned Journalist Must Be Released | publisher=Amnesty International | date=21 July 2017 | access-date=10 February 2018 | archive-date=8 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908131138/https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2017-07/FI16017_2.pdf?TRhWAnU9V9A389Kj6RGAvval.yqFVY_j | url-status=live }} 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.{{cite press release | url=https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/383217 | title=OSCE Representative calls for immediate release of Donetsk journalist Stanislav Aseev one year after his illegal detention | publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | date=1 June 2018 | access-date=3 September 2018 | archive-date=26 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326122433/https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/383217 | url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=The land of Stas|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/journalists-activists-urge-ukraine-separatists-to-released-detained-reporter/29654134.html|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=13 December 2018 |access-date=13 December 2018|archive-date=13 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213121800/https://www.rferl.org/a/journalists-activists-urge-ukraine-separatists-to-released-detained-reporter/29654134.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://europeanjournalists.org/blog/2018/08/20/efj-calls-again-for-immediate-release-of-donetsk-journalist-stanislav-aseev/|title=EFJ calls again for immediate release of Donetsk journalist Stanislav Aseev|date=21 August 2018|publisher=European Federation of Journalists|access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013174142/https://europeanjournalists.org/blog/2018/08/20/efj-calls-again-for-immediate-release-of-donetsk-journalist-stanislav-aseev/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/ru/news/2017/07/18/306785|title=Украина: Блогер удерживается про-российскими сепаратистами|date=18 July 2017|publisher=Human Rights Watch|access-date=3 September 2018|language=ru|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411005755/https://www.hrw.org/ru/news/2017/07/18/306785|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://pen.org/press-release/stanislav-aseyevs-detention-aproaches-two-year-mark-amid-global-pleas-for-his-release/|title=STANISLAV ASEYEV'S DETENTION APPROACHES TWO-YEAR MARK AMID GLOBAL PLEAS FOR HIS RELEASE|date=31 May 2019|publisher=PEN America|access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602203055/https://pen.org/press-release/stanislav-aseyevs-detention-aproaches-two-year-mark-amid-global-pleas-for-his-release/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2793353-us-at-osce-urge-to-release-stanislav-aseyev-and-other-imprisoned-ukrainians.html|title=US at OSCE urges to release Stanislav Aseyev and other imprisoned Ukrainians|date=4 October 2019|agency=Ukrinform|access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=5 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005015701/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2793353-us-at-osce-urge-to-release-stanislav-aseyev-and-other-imprisoned-ukrainians.html|url-status=live}} He was released as part of a prison exchange and handed over to Ukrainian authorities on 29 December 2019.{{cite news | title=For a Ukrainian Journalist, War Evokes Scars From Captivity | website=The New York Times | date=8 April 2022 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/08/world/europe/stanislav-aseyev-ukraine-russia.html | access-date=23 April 2022}}

Sergey Zdrilyuk ("Abwehr"), former deputy of DPR militia, confirmed in 2020 that Igor Girkin personally executed prisoners of war he considered "traitors" or "spies". This statement was first made in Girkin's interview earlier that year, although Girkin insisted the executions were part of his {{qi|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: {{qi|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}}.{{cite web |url=https://gordonua.com/news/war/girkin-priznalsya-v-ubiystve-troih-ukraincev-1500414.html |title=Гиркин признался в убийстве трех украинцев |work=gordonua.com |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=27 May 2020 |archive-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527194209/https://gordonua.com/news/war/girkin-priznalsya-v-ubiystve-troih-ukraincev-1500414.html |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Russification of Ukraine}}

According to a US study, Ukrainians in occupied territories who refuse Russian passports face threats, intimidation and possible detention or deportation.{{cite web | last=Sullivan | first=Helen | title=Russia 'systematically' forcing Ukrainians to accept citizenship, US report finds | website=the Guardian | date=3 August 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/03/russia-forcing-ukrainian-passports-us-report | access-date=3 August 2023}}{{cite web |date=25 May 2023 |title=Forced Passportization in Russia-Occupied Areas of Ukraine |url=https://hub.conflictobservatory.org/portal/apps/sites/#/home/pages/passport-1 |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Conflict Observatory Publication Portal Redirection}} In April 2022, Russia adopted a law that allows authorities to detain or deport residents without Russian passports. Starting July 2024, residents without Russian citizenship would be considered "foreigners" or "stateless". In June 2023, the head of the so-called "Donetsk People’s Republic" announced a planning group to study facilities for detaining residents without Russian passports for deportation.

{{See also|Education in Ukraine|Language policy in Ukraine}}

By the start of the 2015–2016 school-year DPR's authorities had overhauled the curriculum. 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. The history classes were changed to give greater emphasis to the history of Donbas. The grading system was changed from (Ukraine's) 12-point scheme to the five-point grading system that is also used in Russia. According to the director of a college in Donetsk {{qi|We give students the choice between the two but the Russian one is taken into greater account}}. School graduates will receive a Russian certificate, allowing them to enter both local universities and institutions in Russia.{{cite news|last=Losh|first=Jack|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/16/ukraine-rebel-territories-education-system-overhaul-russia|title=Rebel-held Ukraine overhauls education system as it aligns itself with Russia|newspaper=The Guardian|date=16 August 2015|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816221556/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/16/ukraine-rebel-territories-education-system-overhaul-russia|archive-date=16 August 2015}}

In April 2016 DPR authorities designed "statehood awareness lessons" were introduced in schools (in territory controlled by them).{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.info/society/1313595-self-proclaimed-donetsk-republic-introduces-statehood-lessons-at-schools.html|title=Self-proclaimed Donetsk republic introduces 'statehood lessons' at schools|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=8 April 2016|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411044255/http://www.unian.info/society/1313595-self-proclaimed-donetsk-republic-introduces-statehood-lessons-at-schools.html|archive-date=11 April 2016}}

{{Excerpt|Control of cities during the Russo-Ukrainian War|Donetsk Oblast|templates=.*|bold=yes|only=table}}

• Republic of Crimea (Russia)
• Collaboration with Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Donetsk People's Republic}}

• {{Official website|https://днронлайн.рф/}}

{{Subdivisions of Russia}}

{{2014 pro-Russian conflict in Ukraine}}

{{Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{Ethnic nationalism}}

{{Stateless nationalism in Europe}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Donetsk Oblast in the Russo-Ukrainian War

Category:2014 establishments in Ukraine

Category:Countries and territories where Russian is an official language

Category:Former unrecognized countries

Category:2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine

Category:Separatism in Ukraine

Category:Russian irredentism

Category:Russification

Category:Russian occupation of Ukraine

Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Ukraine

Category:Novorossiya (confederation)

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:States and territories established in 2014

Category:War in Donbas

Category:Territorial disputes of Ukraine

Category:Republics