Donbas

The Donbas, short for Donets Basin, is an industrial region in eastern Ukraine, centered on the Donets River and extending across the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. It is one of Europe’s largest coal mining and heavy industry regions, with a history of coal, iron, and steel production dating to the 19th century. The area contains major cities such as Donetsk and Luhansk, along with numerous mining towns and industrial facilities. The population has long been ethnically diverse, including Ukrainians and Russians, with workers historically forming a significant social and political force in the region.

Since 2014, the Donbas has been the site of significant armed conflict. Parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts declared independence from Ukraine, establishing the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic, leading to sustained fighting with Ukrainian forces. The conflict has caused extensive displacement, damage to infrastructure, and shifts in governance on the ground. Ukraine regards the region as part of its sovereign territory, while the separatist authorities have received support from Russia, a stance not recognized by most other states.

A series of ceasefire attempts, including Minsk I (2014) and Minsk II (2015), sought to end hostilities but did not produce a lasting settlement. In 2022, Russia launched a broad invasion of Ukraine and subsequently announced the annexation of the DPR and LPR following referendums, though those claims are not widely recognized internationally. Today, the Donbas remains a region of contested control and ongoing humanitarian concern, with governance and security varying across different areas.