7685 visitors online
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.

show details

News Donbas

армия спецназ плен рф Russian special forces urgently leaving Brianka in Luhansk region - General Staff Russian soldiers of the 3rd GRU special purpose brigade of the Russian armed forces are urgently leaving the town of Brianka in the Luhansk region. 282 011 664 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Captured Russian special forces operatives

Detained commandos are Russian citizens, not "LPR" policemen" - SBU The Security Service of Ukraine refuted Russian media reports that saboteurs detained in Shchastia (the Luhansk region) on May 16 are not Russian servicemen and do not have Russian citizenship. 89 170 344 Previously in trend: Captured Russian special forces operatives

Kyiv has no desire to resume military operation in Donbas, Nuland says The United States assured Russia that Ukraine is not going to renew military operation in the Donbas. 35 479 294 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

Captured Russian soldiers in Ukraine Captured Russian servicemen will not be exchanged. They are subject of criminal liability - Head of SBU Nalyvaichenko Rusian commandos captured in Luhansk region cannot be exchanged. 105 428 588 Previously in trend: Captured Russian special forces operatives

армия спецназ плен рф captured russian special forces operatives Russia disowned its captive special forces operatives: "They are members of militia" According to the pro-Russian militants from "LPR", Russian special forces operatives Yevgeny Yerofeyev and Alexander Aleksandrov detained in Ukraine, are "soldiers of the people’s militia". 353 309 1 829 Previously in trend: Captured Russian special forces operatives

гибель память вадим пугачев memory vadim pugachev Vadim Pugachev, soldier of the 92nd Brigade killed in battle with Russian special operations regiment. PHOTO Soldier of the 92nd Brigade Vadim Pugachev was killed during clash with the Russian special purpose troops. 181 630 737 Previously in trend: Captured Russian special forces operatives

армия спецназ плен рф “I am serviceman of the Russian Federation”: Captured sergeant Aleksandrov of the 3rd brigade of Russian Special Forces interrogated. VIDEO with English subtitles Captured Russian sergeant Alexander Aleksandrov gave evidence about his brigade fighting against Ukraine. 502 914 1 496 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine Captured Russian special forces operatives

армия спецназ плен рф captured russian special forces operatives Captured Russian special forces servicemen Captain Aleksandrov and Sergeant Yerofeyev testified on their brigade’s involvement in war against Ukraine. PHOTOS Captured career servicemen of the 3rd Special Forces Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Captain Yevgeny Yerofeyev and Sergeant Alexander Aleksandrov provided testimony regarding their unit’s involvement in hostilities against Ukraine. 499 109 1 075 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine Captured Russian special forces operatives

армия спецназ плен рф Russian special forces operatives Y. Yerofeyev and A. Aleksandrov taken prisoners in the battle near Shchastia. PHOTOS Two Russian Federation special forces soldiers from Togliatti were captured yesterday, during fierce fighting with the Russian subversive reconnaissance group that penetrated into the vicinity of the city of Shchastia. 319 729 1 048 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine Captured Russian special forces operatives

рф вооруженные силы russia military Two Russian soldiers arrested near Shchastia – ATO headquarters The ATO headquarters confirmed the fact of detention of two Russian servicemen in the ATO area. 91 188 433 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

меркель merkel 'We have not achieved what we wanted to in Donbas' - Merkel commented on Minsk II implementation There are no alternatives to the Minsk cease-fire deal despite the fact that it has not been observed in full. 18 051 207 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Donbas cannot receive special autonomous status - Lutsenko The Donbas can get more powers only on par with other regions of Ukraine within the process of power decentralization. 69 730 619 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

керри Kerry: U.S. calls for genuine cease-fire in Shyrokyne U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry named immediate steps to resolve the conflict in the East of Ukraine, in particular a comprehensive cease-fire in Shyrokyne (near Mariupol). 43 440 468 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

сепаратисты днр 'DPR' and 'LPR' want autonomy within the Ukrainian state Representatives of the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People's Republic' and 'Luhansk People's Republic' announced their consent for autonomy within the Ukrainian state, provided that all the parties abide by agreements reached in Minsk on Feb. 12. 260 990 2 050 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

донецк дтп боевики Militants’ truck crushed a car in downtown Donetsk. Two people dead. PHOTO An accident involving militants occurred in Donetsk. 126 298 317 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

меркель Merkel to meet Putin in Moscow Ukraine’s settlement will be high on the agenda of talks in the Kremlin on Sunday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. 29 792 463 Ukrainian Politics

Russia has been able to easily relocate equipment and soldiers through Russian-Ukrainian borders to Donbas since summer 2014 – US Ambassador to Russia Tefft Russia has been able to easily relocate equipment and personnel through Russian-Ukrainian border to Donbas since summer 2014. 26 559 436 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

Cabinet of Ministers excluded terrorist-held territories of Donbas from common Ukrainian energy market The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine obliged DTEK Donetskoblenerho and Luhansk Energy Association electricity distribution companies to purchase electricity from local companies and to conduct their own account, thus excluding the uncontrolled territories in the east from the common energy market of Ukraine. 62 784 362 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

обстрел Militants fired at Ukrainian army’s positions from banned weapons. VIDEO The terrorists continued to violate the Minsk agreements and fired at Ukrainian forces’ positions from banned weapons on May 7. 31 091 165 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

днр dpr "DPR" terrorists’ "special operation" to capture “Cossacks” underway in Donetsk: there are casualties – Interior Ministry The "DPR" terrorists engaged in skirmish with the “Cossacks”. 75 271 242 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

пески разрушенные demolished pisky Pisky village turned into shambles: Kyiv-1 battalion showed consequences of terrorist attacks. PHOTOS Defenders of Pisky village near Donetsk shared pictures of aftermath of another shelling committed by the Russian terrorist forces. 92 004 343 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Battle in Shyrokyne underway since morning. One Donbas battalion soldier seriously wounded National Guard Donbas battalion states that one of its fighters was wounded in Shyrokyne in the Donetsk region in the course of fighting against terrorists. 34 362 245 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russia did not consent to peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, but does not dispute the idea - Putin's press secretary Spokesman for the Russian president Dmitry Peskov denies that Russia has agreed to the presence of peacekeepers in the area of conflict in Ukraine. 22 247 245 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Number of Russian air defense systems reaches new high since the start of the conflict - U.S. State Department The U.S. State Department says that additional Russian air defense systems have been placed in the Donbas. 54 379 238 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

день победы ролик Russian-language videos for Victory Day on Ukrainian TV: "We Remember! We Are Proud! We Will Be Victorious!". VIDEO Several promotional videos dedicated to May 9 campaign have been filmed at the order of the Information Resistance group, with the assistance of the National Guard and the National Museum of Military History. 78 036 439 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

оружие армия рф корнет птрк Donbas has become testing ground for new Russian weaponry: Russian army fires with modified Kornet anti-tank missile systems. PHOTOS Donbas has become a testing ground for new Russian weaponry. When fighting in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, the army of the Russian Federation actively uses modified Kornet anti-tank missile systems produced in 2009. 125 884 343 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

захарченко вайс нюз "DPR" terrorist leader Zakharchenko: "I have to disappoint the West, but we could not down the Boeing". VIDEO The self-proclaimed republic's 'prime minister' speaks to journalist Simon Ostrosky of Vice News about Americans, war with 'the Ukrainian side,' the Boeing downing, the Novorossiya project, and his plans for the future of the separatist-controlled region. 229 0 Previously in trend: War

лавров Atmosphere of Donbas lifestyle rejection is created in Kyiv - Lavrov Ukrainian authorities are creating an atmosphere of rejection of Donbas residents’ lifestyle, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says. 147 962 1 004 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

беженцы Number of internally displased people exceeded 1.2 million - UN According to the United Nations Organization, the number of internally displaced people in Ukraine has reached 1.2 million, 155,000 of them are children. 9 637 189 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

16 enemy drones spotted by Ukrainian border guards 16 enemy drones were spotted in the Luhansk and Donesk regions on April 17. 3 190 82 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Older residents fight to live in terrorists-controlled territory of Ukraine - The New York Times While some families fled eastern Ukraine because of the military conflict, many of the elderly stayed behind and now face a desperate shortage of health care. 15 684 207 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Gas and power supplies on the terrorists-controlled territory came out at $1 billion to Ukraine - Yatseniuk The deliveries of gas and energy to the territory of Donbas occupied by the terrorists came out at $1 billion to the state budget of Ukraine. 23 308 380 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

миротворцы UN peacekeepers’ introduction in Donbas is impossible without Russia’s consent – Ukrainian Foreign Minister It is impossible to obtain a mandate for deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Donbas without Russia's consent. The format of a possible peacekeeping mission in the Donbas is discussed at this point. 70 716 401 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

EU fears migration stream due to conflict in Eastern Ukraine - Klimkin The EU has fears of additional migration pressure from Ukraine. 8 582 103 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Reconstruction of Donbas will cost around $1.5 billion According to preliminary calculations of the Cabinet of Ministers, recovery of the Donbas is estimated at $1.5 billion. 12 498 324 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

порошенко Poroshenko called information about his offer to Putin to take the Donbas at Minsk talks an idiocy President of Ukraine Poroshenko denied the information that he had proposed the President of Russia Vladimir Putin to take the Donbas during the talks in Minsk (Belarus) Feb. 12. 50 181 221 Ukrainian Politics

мост рф агрессия оккупанты Russian invaders built a bridge across the Siverskyi Donets River to secretly deploy weapons in Donbas - Komakhidze. PHOTOS Instead the announced bridge across the Kerch Strait, the invaders have built a secret one over the Siverskyi Donets River in the Donbas. 130 552 281 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

Russia will help to restore Ukraine, but will not interfere, Medvedev says Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that Ukrainian authorities shall deal with restoration of the country on their own, and that Russia will try to help the process, but will not interfere. 54 104 378 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Information about alleged ‘gifts’ from Ukraine to Russia is more like sick fancies of Russia’s leadership - Turchynov The fact that the article about Putin’s "conversation" with Russian entrepreneurs about Donbas appeared after three weeks evidences of an attempt of the Russian Federation to legitimize and explain to the world its plans to resume aggression in eastern Ukraine. 57 228 275 Ukrainian Politics

"Get out of Donbas" does not mean "take Donbas" - Foreign Ministry spokesman on Russian Forbes’ article President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko could offer Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the military and other support to illegal armed groups in the Donbas. 84 243 473 Ukrainian Politics

миротворцы Sending peacekeepers to Ukraine will be discussed in the Normandy format Foreign Ministers of the countries-participants of the Normandy format will consider the opportunity of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine. 40 886 383 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Avdiivka shelled by militants with 120-mm mortars - ATO press center Militant groups continue firing at the Ukrainian positions mainly using small arms, but also once by 120-mm mortars. 4 342 52 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Lukashenko does not rule out the possibility that Russia supplies weapons to Donbas militants President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko does not rule out the possibility of Russia supplying weapons to the conflict zone in the Donbas. 32 199 382 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

рф армии "зеленый человечки" Russian security service agencies disarmed a Cossack gang in Krasnyi Luch. VIDEO As the result of clashes between militants near the village of Petrivske, 48 people from the gang of Russian Cossacks have been arrested. 153 515 442 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

Sloviansk ex-mayor promises to provide documents naming sponsors of the war in Donbas Former mayor of the city of Sloviansk (Donetsk region) Nelia Shtepa stated that she had documents with information about people who financed illegal armed groups in the Donbas. According to her, all of these documents are currently stored in one of the banks in Kyiv, and she is ready to share them with the law enforcement agencies. 41 742 128 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

"We need the whole of Ukraine," Vostok battalion terrorist leader says One of the militant leaders of the "DPR", commander of the terrorist Vostok (East) battalion and the so-called "DPR secretary of the security council" Alexander Khodakovsky says that Russian mercenaries' plans in the Donbas are exclusively offensive and that they "need the whole of Ukraine." 87 921 324 Ukrainian Politics

Russia specified the volume of ‘humanitarian’ gas delivered to Donbas terrorists Gazprom could have supplied more than 300 million cubic meters of ‘humanitarian’ gas to the Donbas since Feb. 19, 2015, bypassing the main Ukrainian gas transportation system. The cost of such a delivery could be around $100 million. 47 718 274 Previously in trend: Gas War Russian aggression against Ukraine

Dutch investigation concludes MH17 downed by Buk missile from Russian battery Office of the National Prosecutor of the Netherlands investigators have finished the first stage of their work in determining the cause of the crash of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH-17. Preliminary information which leaked to the Dutch media has concluded that a Russian unit is responsible for the downing. 1 757 0 Previously in trend: Russian terrorists downed MH17