War in Donbas

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The War in Donbas, part of the broader Russo-Ukrainian War, began in April 2014 when Russian-backed separatists seized government buildings in the Donbas region of Ukraine. Ukrainian forces responded with an anti-terrorist operation. Despite a ceasefire agreement (Minsk Protocol) in September 2014, breaches and heavy fighting persisted. By 2015, a stalemate ensued with entrenched positions akin to trench warfare. By 2021, tensions escalated with increased Ukrainian casualties and a Russian troop buildup. The conflict, having claimed about 14,000 lives, was subsumed by the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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War in Donbas

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The Wikipedia article on the War in Donbas details a conflict that started in April 2014 in the Donbas region of Ukraine, where Russian-backed separatists clashed with Ukrainian forces. Despite attempts at ceasefires, the conflict saw continuous breaches and developed into a trench warfare-like stalemate. Approximately 14,000 deaths occurred before the conflict merged into the larger Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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The war was part of Russia's broader strategy to maintain influence over Ukraine and was exacerbated by Russia's control over gas shipments and trade restrictions, as well as disinformation campaigns and political manipulation

Human Rights Watch in 2014 accused anti-Kyiv forces of abductions and attacks, and also documented abuses by Ukrainian troops and pro-government militias

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, with the DPR and LPR joining the offensive.Russian Involvement: The conflict in the Donbas initially began with local protests but was escalated by Russian support. Russia conducted a coordinated campaign against Ukraine, including political, military, and cyber tactics. Russian figures played a key role in leading and supporting the separatists, with significant involvement from Russian citizens and material support

The Novaya Gazeta concluded that Russia, by not prosecuting those involved in the separatist movement, bore moral and political responsibility for the casualties in the conflict

After the fall of Debaltseve, fighting in the conflict zone reduced, and both Ukrainian and separatist forces began withdrawing artillery as specified in Minsk II

Russia recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics on 21 February 2022, followed by the deployment of Russian troops

The Ukrainian government responded to the unrest by launching an "Anti-Terrorist Operation" (ATO) to counter the separatist movements in Donetsk Oblast

Ukraine reported increased military activity and casualties in the first three months of 2021 compared to the previous year

Separatists expanded their control to other areas, taking over police stations, city administration buildings, and other infrastructure in several cities and towns across the Donbas region

A convoy of Russian military vehicles crossed into Ukraine in August 2014, which was confirmed by NATO but denied by the Russian Defence Ministry

The Ukrainian government accused Russian forces of invading Ukraine, which led to a new front in the conflict and the retreat of Ukrainian forces in some areas

A counter-offensive by insurgents stalled the Ukrainian government's offensive, leading to Ukrainian forces being surrounded and heavy fighting in the region

The war transitioned into the larger Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following Russia's official recognition of the DPR and LPR as independent states

The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, including Ukrainian forces, separatists, and civilians, with the majority of civilian deaths occurring in the first two years of the war

The Donbas war began in April 2014 after armed Russian-backed separatists seized government buildings, and the Ukrainian military initiated an operation against them

Russia moved large military forces close to Ukraine's border in early 2021, with significant international concern and warnings from Russian officials

Russia began distributing Russian passports to Ukrainians living in the regions of Donbas in June 2019

Ukrainian forces engaged in a series of battles to retake control of cities from the separatists, including a significant engagement in Mariupol where control shifted multiple times

The separatist forces declared intentions to hold referendums on the autonomy of the region and possible incorporation into the Russian Federation

A ceasefire in July 2020 led to a significant reduction in combat losses

The Minsk Protocol ceasefire was established in September 2014, with terms for a ceasefire, exchange of prisoners, and the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, despite being frequently violated by both sides

There were instances where Ukrainian troops were disarmed by locals and separatists

Ukrainian troops engaged and destroyed a significant portion of the aforementioned Russian armoured column

Faced with military setbacks, Russia altered the separatist leadership to ensure more direct control and pushed for special status for the Donbas within Ukraine

The conflict has led to a significant number of civilian casualties and widespread displacement, with UN reports indicating at least 730,000 people had fled to Russia by August 2014, and over a million internally displaced within Ukraine by April 2015

Pro-Russian protests erupted in Donetsk following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, leading to attempts to seize the Donetsk RSA building in early March 2014

The Steinmeier formula was agreed upon on 1 October 2019, setting conditions for elections in DPR and LPR territories and their reintegration into Ukraine

The United States provided lethal military aid to Ukraine, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, and conducted joint military exercises with Ukrainian forces

In Sloviansk, a group led by Igor Girkin (a retired FSB officer) took control of key buildings, prompting a "counter-terrorism" operation by the Ukrainian government to retake the city

All sides in the conflict agreed to a roadmap to end the war in October 2019, but the conflict remained unresolved

The Ukrainian government's operation in Sloviansk led to a prolonged siege, resulting in displacement and casualties, including the execution of local council member Volodymyr Ivanovych Rybak and others by Girkin's group

Hybrid Warfare: Russia utilized a "hybrid approach" to support the separatists, combining disinformation, irregular fighters, regular troops, and military aid. This strategy was particularly evident in battles such as the First Battle of Donetsk Airport

Armed separatists declared independence for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which led to conflict with Ukrainian forces

Despite subsequent ceasefires, like Minsk II, the war devolved into trench warfare, with frequent skirmishes along fortified positions

The United Nations and OHCHR noted extensive damage to infrastructure and civilian areas in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, with parties on both sides using unguided Grad rockets in populated areas

Pro-Russian militants seized various government buildings and infrastructure across Donetsk Oblast, including the cities of Sloviansk, Mariupol, Horlivka, and Kramatorsk

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observed significant military activity at the Russia-Ukraine border, indicative of Russia's support for the separatists

Russian Conventional Invasion: In August 2014, Russia shifted its tactics from hybrid warfare to a conventional invasion, marked by the capture of Russian soldiers in Ukraine and substantial military incursions, described by Western officials as a "stealth invasion."

By the end of 2017, both the separatist and Russian troop presence in the Donbas was significant, with thousands of combatants involved

Despite the signing of Minsk II, fighting continued around Debaltseve, and Ukrainian forces were forced to withdraw from the area on 18 February

There were allegations of Russian military vehicles entering Ukraine under the guise of separatist fighters, which was denied by the Russian Foreign Minister

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Similar unrest occurred in Luhansk, where activists occupied the SBU building and later declared the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) on April 27, 2014

The Minsk Protocol, a ceasefire agreement, was signed in September 2014 but was frequently violated, leading to renewed heavy fighting, particularly the battle for Donetsk Airport

The conflict was preceded by anti-revolution and pro-Russian protests in the Donbas region, which escalated when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea

There were conflicting reports regarding control of the Mariupol city administration building between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian activists

Russia responded to Ukraine's gains by covertly sending troops and equipment into the Donbas, aiding the separatists in regaining lost territories

Russia provided covert support to the separatists with troops and weaponry, although it initially only admitted to sending "military specialists."

The protesters occupied the RSA building in Donetsk and proclaimed the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on April 7, 2014, after their demands for a status referendum were not met

Clashes and casualty reports from both sides, including the death of soldiers, separatists, and the involvement of volunteer paramilitary groups

Insurgents received reinforcements and support from Russia, including the admission of Russian-trained combatants within their ranks

Minsk II, a package of peacemaking measures, was signed on 12 February 2015, calling for an unconditional ceasefire to begin on 15 February among other measures

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claims about the Minsk agreements

Identity in the context of the War in Donbas

Claims about the implementation of the Minsk agreements

Causes of the War in Donbas

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Russia - Ukraine

Web URL

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Donbas

Referenced by

A ceasefire in July 2020 led to a significant reduction in combat losses

Defense

There were instances where Ukrainian troops were disarmed by locals and separatists

Defense

Russia began distributing Russian passports to Ukrainians living in the regions of Donbas in June 2019

Defense