The invisible war: 8 years of battles in Donbas

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the Donbas conflict, its historical roots, and the significant events that have shaped the ongoing crisis in Eastern Ukraine.

Donbas, a historical name for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, has been embroiled in conflict since 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea. The region was once a symbol of ethnic diversity and industrial prosperity, particularly in the 19th century when it was a hub for European investment and cultural richness. However, Soviet policies, such as the Holodomor famine and the forced Russification of the region, dramatically altered its demographic and cultural landscape.

The conflict timeline begins on April 12, 2014, when Russian special forces and local proxies seized control of key towns, initiating the war. Ukraine's government responded with an Anti-Terrorist Operation to combat the separatist groups. Notably, on July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down by a missile launched from a Russian-controlled area, killing all 298 passengers and crew. This tragic incident drew international attention to the conflict.

The article continues with a recount of various military operations, ceasefires, and agreements, including the Minsk Agreements, intended to halt hostilities but often violated by Russian forces. The fighting was characterized by heavy artillery exchanges, with significant battles such as the one for Donetsk airport, which became a symbol of Ukrainian resilience.

Despite multiple attempts at peace, the conflict persisted, with the Russian-backed separatists and Russian military continually breaching ceasefire agreements. The war not only caused significant military casualties but also led to a humanitarian crisis, with reports of lawlessness, human rights abuses, and the creation of nearly two million internal refugees.

The author emphasizes the lack of international attention to the eight-year-long war until the full-scale invasion in 2022, suggesting that the world largely overlooked the continuous suffering of the Ukrainian people during this period. The article concludes by highlighting the irreversible changes and devastation brought by the conflict, with parts of Donbas becoming lawless under the occupation of Russian-backed forces.