Donetsk and Luhansk, together known as Donbas, lie on Ukraine's eastern border and broke away in 2014. Putin ordered Russian troops there this week.

Understanding Ukraine’s breakaway regions

Feb 22, 2022

Russia has decided to evacuate its diplomatic staff from Ukraine, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The move is the latest step fueling tensions with the West amid fears of an invasion.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of Moscow-backed rebel regions in eastern Ukraine.

Donetsk and Luhansk, together known as Donbas, lie on Ukraine’s eastern border and broke away in 2014. Each region has its own self-proclaimed president but also receives Russian aid. Many of the people living there speak Russian and have Russian passports. Putin ordered troops into the two breakaway regions after announcing he would recognize their independence.

ROUND ONE GOES TO RUSSIA

AFTER DECLARING DONETSK AND LUHANSK INDEPENDENT FROM UKRAINE.

“I DEEM IT NECESSARY TO IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE THE INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY OF … REPUBLIC”

BUT WHAT ARE THESE TWO REGIONS?

LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT

DONETSK AND AND LUHANSK TOGETHER KNOWN AS DONBAS- LIE ON UKRAINE’S EASTERN BORDER AND BROKE AWAY IN 2014.

[NATS]

DONBAS IS ALSO THE CENTER OF THE CULTURAL BATTLE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

THEY SAY THEY’RE INDEPENDENT FROM UKRAINE BUT WERE NEVER OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY –

[NATS CELEBRATES]

THAT’S WHY PUTIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT WAS CELEBRATED BY SOME.

[AND CONDEMNED BY OTHERS?] + NAT

EACH REGION HAS THEIR OWN SELF-PROCLAIMED PRESIDENT. BUT THEY ALSO RECEIVE RUSSIAN AID AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE SPEAK RUSSIAN AND HAVE RUSSIAN PASSPORTS.

[NAT]

THE WEST IS CALLING THIS AN INVASION – A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. BUT THE WAY RUSSIA DID THIS, HAS PEOPLE ASKING IF THIS WAS THE ACTUAL INVASION OR JUST THE START OF IT.