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Tensions surrounding the Donbas region continue to escalate as Ukraine faces relentless demands from Russia for troop withdrawal. President Zelenskyy remains firm in his stance, rejecting any territorial concessions that would weaken Ukraine's strategic defense against Russian advances. The Donbas conflict has caught international attention, with the US and Europe weighing in on the potential repercussions. The geopolitical implications are vast, as Russia aims to leverage dialogues with the US to force Ukraine's exit, a move seen as crucial for both military and diplomatic strategies. Ukraine's resolve in the Donbas region highlights the high-stakes nature of eastern European stability.

Why is the Donbas region important in the Ukraine conflict?

The Donbas region holds significant strategic importance due to its location and resources. Its control is crucial for both Ukraine's security and Russian interests. The region has been heavily defended by Ukraine, and surrendering it could lead to further territorial advances by Russia and destabilize the broader region.

What is Ukraine's current position on withdrawing from Donbas?

Ukraine, under President Zelenskyy's leadership, firmly refuses to withdraw its forces from the Donbas. Zelenskyy emphasizes the vital defensive role this region plays, making any withdrawal a potential stepping stone for further Russian aggression, threatening not only Ukraine but also European stability.

How does Russia's demand for Donbas impact international relations?

Russia's demands for control over Donbas have deepened geopolitical tensions, resulting in international debates over sovereignty, security guarantees, and territorial integrity. It affects the dynamics between global powers, notably the US and EU, as they navigate support for Ukraine while managing relations with Russia.

Is there a possibility of a peaceful resolution in Donbas?

While diplomatic dialogues continue, a peaceful resolution remains complex. Ukraine's steadfast refusal to cede Donbas, coupled with Russia's strategic interests, keeps the situation volatile. International mediation efforts persist, though no clear agreement has yet been reached that satisfies all parties involved.

What role does the US play in the Donbas conflict?

The US plays a crucial role as a mediator and supporter of Ukraine. It continues to negotiate potential security guarantees and influences discussions around territorial concessions. The US's stance significantly impacts Ukraine's diplomatic strategy and the broader international response to the conflict.

How does the Donbas conflict affect the local Ukrainian population?

The ongoing conflict in the Donbas region severely affects the local population through military activities, displacement, and humanitarian challenges. Many civilians face security threats and economic hardships, adding to the urgency for a resolution that ensures their safety and restores regional stability.

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News Donbas

Russian proxies employed heavy artillery against Ukrainian troops deployed at Krasnyi Pakhar, Luhanske, Myronivka, - Staff The Russian occupation forces committed 30 attacks in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area including two strikes on residential neighborhoods. 7 605 20 Incidents

ато купол No one taken prisoner or missing in action after today’s clashes at Svitlodarsk salient, - Ukrainian serviceman Direct participant of battles at Svitlodarsk salient, Ukraine’s Armed Forces’ officer with the call sign Kupol dwelled on the recent developments, the losses suffered by the Ukrainian army and enemy, and the importance of position won from the invaders. 57 872 102 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

геращенко Militants demand to release 700 their accomplices in exchange for 50 Ukrainians, - MP Iryna Herashchenko The list of those, whom the militants demand to release, includes murderers and other high-level criminals. 80 161 374 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

всу Svitlodarsk salient battle: Small arms, artillery, mortar fire is non-stop for five days, - journalist The Ukrainian military firmly hold new positions near Kalynivka. 42 045 121 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Svitlodarsk fighting War

ато светлодарск “We took strategic position that militants attempted to win back twice,” - 54th Brigade Commander Horbatiuk on Svitlodarsk battles Russian militants committed two assault operations on Dec. 22 trying to recapture positions recently taken by the Ukrainian military near the village of Luhanske at the Svitlodarsk salient. 107 451 155 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

Russian terrorists focused attacks in Donetsk direction, shelled Luhanske, Starohnativka with mortars, 122 mm cannons, - Staff The Russian occupation forces focused attacks against Ukrainian troops deployed in Donetsk direction. A total of 15 assaults were recorded as at 6 p.m. Dec. 22. 6 530 18 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

Russian militants committed two unsuccessful assault operations today, shelled Myronivka with 152 mm guns, - Staff The Ukrainian troops repulsed two enemy assaults today. 11 769 16 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

Poroshenko, Merkel discuss recent developments in Donbas, Privatbank nationalization President Petro Poroshenko had a phone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. 5 700 29 Ukrainian Politics

Militants continue provocations at Svitlodarsk bulge, - MoD No casualties among the Ukrainian military have been reported. 15 809 22 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

военные военнослужащие ато воины воин муравский No one killed, 11 soldiers wounded in combat yesterday, - ATO spokesperson 11 Ukrainian military were injured in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) on Dec. 21. 12 443 42 Incidents

боец "Fighting is constant. Artillery operating nonstop. There are wounded," - Ukrainian soldiers at Svitlodarsk salient. VIDEO Ukrainian military have seized more positions in the Svitlodarsk salient. They have been fighting Russian militants there for the fourth day in a row. 94 867 115 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Svitlodarsk fighting War

Most of cease-fire violations occurred in Svitlodarsk, Debaltseve, Horlivka area, - OSCE The majority of cease-fire violations, including the use of multiple-launch rocket systems, artillery and mortar, were concentrated in the Svitlodarsk-Debaltseve-Horlivka area. 3 223 4 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

46 trucks enter Donbas instead of 40 declared, - Slobodian on Russia's 59th "aid convoy" This morning, the Russian side unilaterally sent another (59th) so-called "humanitarian convoy." 8 243 18 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

карта Ukrainian units came under Russian fire 24 times yesterday; militants employed 122 mm artillery, mortars, and IFV weapon, - Staff Over the past 24-hour period, pro-Russian militants continued shelling the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) forces of Ukraine in all directions. 5 414 9 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

россия агрессия доказательства bellingcat "Putin’s undeclared war": Bellingcat provides evidence of Russian artillery strikes on Ukraine in summer of 2014. PHOTOS Bellingcat volunteers investigating current events through open-source information have prepared a major report covering the military campaign launched by the Russian army against Ukraine in 2014. 158 264 249 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

Trilateral Contact Group calls to cease fire in Donbas from Dec. 24, - Ambassador Sajdik Trilateral Contact Group on implementation of peace plan in Ukraine’s east (TCG) calls for sustained cease-fire in the Donbas from midnight of Dec. 24 in view of the upcoming holidays. 9 174 63 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian proxies mortar-shelled Ukrainian troops’ positions near Krasnohorivka, Avdiivka and Luhanske, - Staff The Russian militants continued shelling the Ukrainian army positions in all directions today. The total of 16 attacks were recorded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area between midnight and 6 p.m. 6 753 24 Incidents

свеча Two Ukrainian soldiers killed, four wounded, four shell-shocked yesterday, - ATO speaker Two Ukrainian military were killed, four injured, and four shell-shocked in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the east of Ukraine on Dec. 20. 23 596 2 Incidents

свеча памяти Volunteers name four more Ukrainian soldiers killed in Svitlodarsk salient. PHOTOS The fallen warriors are Dmytro Klymenko, Volodymyr Andreshkiv, Serhii Stepanenko and Vasyl Panasenko. 65 044 3 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

карта 33 attacks registered over past day, terrorists used 122 mm guns, grenade launchers and IFVs, - ATO Staff On Dec. 20, militants committed 33 cease-fire violations in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area. 6 335 11 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian militants mortared Krasnohorivka, used 122 mm artillery at Svitlodarsk salient, - Staff Most of the nine attacks committed by the Russian militants on the Ukrainian troops’ positions between midnight and 6 p.m. today were recorded in Mariupol direction. 7 868 14 Incidents

Escalation of hostilities in Svitlodarsk salient was triggered by enemy flank attack, - journalist The main reason behind the aggravation of the situation in the Svitlodarsk salient was an attempt by an enemy reconnaissance group to outflank the forefront of the 1st Battalion of the 54th Mechanized Infantry Brigade. 39 776 58 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

свеча One Ukrainian soldier killed, nine wounded, eight shell-shocked over past day, - ATO spokesman One Ukrainian soldier was killed, nine were wounded, and eight shell-shocked in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area on Dec. 19. 18 231 3 Incidents

карта Militants employed 122 mm artillery upon Ukrainian positions in Shyrokyne, Vodiane, and Luhanske; number of cease-fire violations over 24-hour period totals 47, - Staff On Dec. 19, militants continued shelling ATO (anti-terrorist forces) positions in all directions. 9 789 17 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian militants shelled Vodiane with 122 mm artillery, - Staff More than 30 attacks on the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ positions have been recorded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area by 6 p.m. today, Dec. 19. 4 079 22 Ukrainian Politics

Ukraine to hand over 15 individuals pardoned by president to “DPR”/“LPR” terrorists in coming days, - MP Iryna Herashchenko The Ukrainian government is going to transfer 15 convicted persons who will be pardoned by the president to representatives of the so-called “DPR” and “LPR” approximately by Dec 21, 22. The relevant committee will meet to tackle this issue today. 5 770 40 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian militants shell Ukrainian army positions in Svitlodarsk salient with 120 and 82 mm mortars, - Staff The Russian militants shelled the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) forces’ positions in the Svitlodarsk salient with 120 and 82 mm mortars on Monday, Dec 19. 11 973 43 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

"I was held in basement," - liberated ‘Cyborg’ Kolodii describes detention conditions Ukrainian soldier Taras Kolodii says Russian militants did not try to convert him or force to dig trenches. 40 644 21 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

светлодарск "Militants unleashed artillery barrage, moved up hardware and reserves," - wounded soldiers speak of Svitlodarsk salient fighting. VIDEO After the shelling, terrorists were going to attack Ukrainian positions in the Svitlodarsk salient, which provoked a counterattack by Ukrainian units. 100 772 95 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Svitlodarsk fighting

свеча памяти Five Ukrainian soldiers killed, six wounded, 10 injured and shell-shocked, - ATO spokesman Five Ukrainian soldiers are reported killed, six wounded, 10 injured and shell-shocked in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area on Dec. 18. 34 195 4 Previously in trend: Svitlodarsk fighting

всу Enemy suffers heavy losses in Svitlodarsk salient, - volunteer Yurii Mysiahin The 1st Battalion of the 54th Brigade, which happened to be in the epicenter of fighting near the Svitlodarsk salient, was supported by all Ukrainian army units deployed in the area. 193 132 256 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Svitlodarsk fighting War

память Six Ukrainian military killed in Svitlodarsk salient, 20 wounded, - civil volunteer Mysiahin Ukrainian Army incurred significant losses in Svitlodarsk salient. 262 220 434 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Svitlodarsk fighting

боевик “There were many Russian soldiers", - former ‘DPR’ militant of Donbas fighting. VIDEO Dobropillia resident who collaborated with ‘DPR’ militants returned to normal life under "They are waiting for you at home" program of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). 27 003 29 Society

Opposition Bloc asks PGO, SBU to address Turchynov's statements on "isolation of occupied Donbas" The Opposition Bloc party considers it unacceptable to impose a blockade on the occupied territory in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. 59 818 212 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Shyrokyne, Vodiane came under artillery, mortar attack, - ATO Staff As of 6 p.m., Dec. 16, militants had committed 19 attacks, 17 of them in the Mariupol sector. 2 173 2 Incidents

военнослужащие ато широкино военне No one killed, one Ukrainian soldier wounded over past day, - ATO speaker One Ukrainian soldier received injury in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area Dec. 15. 4 783 10 Incidents

турчинов No pardon for murderers; those with blood on their hands to answer for their actions sooner or later, - Turchynov The occupied territories will not receive special status, and the murderers will not be pardoned. 32 329 164 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Ukraine buys up to 9 million tons of coal from occupied territories annually, - Vice PM Kistion The suppliers are Ukraine-registered companies on militant-controlled territories. 23 432 228 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Poroshenko, Biden discuss situation in Donbas, Russia sanctions President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a telephone conversation with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden. 7 287 41 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Sanctions against Russia

Militants used IFV against Vodiane in Mariupol sector, - ATO Staff As of 6 p.m. today, militants had committed 17 attacks on Ukrainian positions, 15 of them in the Mariupol sector. 2 026 4 Incidents

армия рф оккупанты Four Russian soldiers from Kalmykia "got lost" in Donbas steppes, - InformNapalm. PHOTOS Russian soldiers from the 7th Military Base of the 49th Army (Southern Military District of Russia, deployed in Abkhazia, Georgia) have been spotted in the Donbas. 115 989 157 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

OSCE SMM to be reinforced with technical facilities, - US Representative Baer In 2017, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) will be provided with special equipment. 4 721 14 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

ато No casualties in Ukrainian army yesterday, - ATO spokesperson None of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' servicemen were hurt in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the east of Ukraine on Dec. 14. 1 748 11 Incidents

Militants mortared Ukrainian positions outside Krasnohorivka, Lebedynske, Shyrokyne, - ATO Staff Most terrorist attacks committed on Dec.14 against Ukrainian army strong points were recorded in the Mariupol sector. 2 664 5 Incidents

Elections in occupied Donbas possible even before Ukraine retakes control of border, - German Ambassador Reichel Subject to certain conditions, elections in occupied areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO) are possible prior to regaining control over the Ukrainian section of the Ukrainian-Russian state border, according to German Ambassador to Ukraine Ernst Reichel. 20 905 172 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

No one killed, four Ukrainian soldiers and one border guard injured over past day, - ATO speaker Four Ukrainian soldiers and one border guard were wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area on Dec. 13. 1 458 2 Incidents

террористы One civilian killed, one injured as Russian terrorists attack civilians at Maiorsk entry/exit point, - State Border Guard Service The Russian militants fired upon civilians crossing Maiorsk entry/exit point in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone. One person was killed and another one wounded as a result of the attack. 38 908 1 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

карта Berdianske, Shyrokyne came under heavy artillery strikes as Russian militants committed 15 attacks in ATO area yesterday, - Staff The Russian occupation forces attacked positions of the Ukrainian troops in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone 15 times over the past 24-hour period. 4 366 61 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine