Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Donetsk People's Republic

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{short description|Disputed Russian republic in eastern Ukraine}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Update|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Donetsk People's Republic
| native_name        = Донецкая Народная Республика
| native_name_lang   = ru
| settlement_type    = [[Military occupation]] and [[annexation]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Donetsk People's Republic.svg
| image_shield       = Coat of Arms of the Donetsk People's Republic.svg
| image_map          = Location_of_Donetsk_People's_Republic.png
| map_caption        = {{unbulleted list|Location of the Donetsk People's Republic, occupying parts of Ukraine's [[Donetsk Oblast]], in Europe | {{leftlegend|#1A8435|Russian [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|control]] within Donetsk Oblast<ref>{{cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-21}}</ref>}} | {{leftlegend|#B4E800|Russian claimed territories within [[Donetsk Oblast]]<ref name="BBCLuhanskPRborders">{{cite news |title=Путин: Россия признала ДНР и ЛНР в границах Донецкой и Луганской областей |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-60483790 |publisher=BBC |date=22 February 2022 |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>}}}}
| subdivision_type   = 
| subdivision_name   = 
| subdivision_type1  = 
| subdivision_name1  = 
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_name2  = 
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| established_title  = [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|DPR declared]]
| established_date   = 7 April 2014<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928 |publisher=BBC News |date=7 April 2014 |access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref>
| established_title1 = [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|Annexation by Russia]]
| established_date1  = 30 September 2022
| seat_type          = Administrative centre
| seat               = [[Donetsk]]
| governing_body     = [[People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic|People's Council]]
| leader_title       = [[Head of the Donetsk People's Republic|Head]]
| leader_name        = [[Denis Pushilin]]
| leader_title1      = Prime Minister
| leader_name1       = [[Yevgeny Solntsev]]
| population_as_of   = 2019
| population_total   = 2,220,500{{efn|The population of the entire [[Donetsk Oblast]] in 2019 was estimated to be 4,165,900, while 2,220,500 resided in areas under the control of the Donetsk People's Republic. Figures are from before the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].}}
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Donetsk oblast |url=http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CD%5CO%5CDonetskoblast.htm |website=Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine |access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref>
}}

The '''Donetsk People's Republic''' ({{lang-ru|Донецкая Народная Республика|Donetskaya Narodnaya Respublika}}, {{IPA-ru|dɐˈnʲetskəjə nɐˈrodnəjə rʲɪˈspublʲɪkə|IPA}}; abbreviated as '''DPR''' or '''DNR'''<!-- Style guide: Please use "DPR" throughout the article rather than "DNR" in order to remain consistent. - July 22, 2022 --><!-- Style guide: Please don't use just "Donetsk" or just "Luhansk" to refer to the DPR and the LPR since this can be confused with the capital cities. Meanwhile, please refer to the oblasts as "Donetsk Oblast" and "Luhansk Oblast". - August 2, 2022 -->, {{lang-rus|ДНР}}) is an internationally unrecognized [[Republics of Russia|republic]] of [[Russia]], comprising the [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|occupied]] parts of eastern Ukraine's [[Donetsk Oblast]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Ledur |first=Júlia |date=2022-11-21 |title=What Russia has gained and lost so far in Ukraine, visualized |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/21/russia-territory-gains-ukraine-war/ |access-date=2023-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Stepanenko |first1=Kateryna |last2=Kagan |first2=Frederick W. |author-link2=Frederick W. Kagan |last3=Lawlor |first3=Katherine |last4=Mappes |first4=Grace |last5=Bailey |first5=Riley |last6=Barros |first6=George |date=30 September 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 30 |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-30 |access-date=18 January 2023 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}</ref> with its capital in [[Donetsk]]. The DPR was created by [[Russian people's militias in Ukraine|Russian-backed paramilitaries]] in 2014,<ref>{{cite book |last=Matsuzato |first=Kimitaka |title=The War in Ukraine's Donbas |publisher=Central European University Press |year=2022 |isbn=9789633864203 |pages=43–66 |chapter=The First Four Years of the Donetsk People’s Republic |doi=10.7829/j.ctv26jp68t.7 |quote=This state was born as a result of the extreme polarization of Ukrainian society, has survived the military conflict with its former suzerain (Ukraine), and, at a certain stage of state building, began to enjoy Russia’s support. |s2cid=245630627}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Toal |first=Gerard |title=Near Abroad : Putin, the West, and the contest over Ukraine and the Caucasus |date=2017 |isbn=978-0-19-025331-8 |location=New York |page=239 |oclc=965543300 |quote=this does not mean that the Kremlin was behind all forms of protest against Euromaidan—this is clearly not the case—or that the Kremlin controlled the actions of all secessionist leaders, also clearly not so. Secessionist leaders and later rebel fighters had their own motivations. Having said that, there is considerable evidence to indicate that Russian state security structures worked in partnership with ostensibly private but functionally extended state networks of influence—oligarchic groups, veteran organizations, nationalist movements, biker gangs, and organized criminal networks—to encourage, support, and sustain separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine from the very outset.}}</ref> and it initially operated as a [[Separatism|breakaway state]] until it was annexed by Russia in 2022.

Following Ukraine's [[Revolution of Dignity]] in 2014, [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|pro-Russian, counter-revolutionary unrest]] erupted in the eastern part of the country. Russia [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexed Crimea]] from Ukraine, while armed separatists seized government buildings and proclaimed the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and [[Luhansk People's Republic]] (LPR) as independent states. This sparked the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]], part of the wider [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]. The DPR and LPR are often described as puppet states of Russia during this conflict.<ref name="puppet1">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Jamie |last2=Parekh |first2=Marcus |last3=White |first3=Josh |last4=Vasilyeva |first4=Nataliya |date=4 August 2022 |title=Officer who 'boasted' of killing civilians becomes Russia's first female commander to die |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/08/03/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-putin-grain-deal/ |access-date=17 September 2022 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name="puppet2">{{cite news |last=Bershidsky |first=Leonid |date=13 November 2018 |title=Eastern Ukraine: Why Putin Encouraged Sham Elections in Donbass |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-11-13/eastern-ukraine-why-putin-encouraged-sham-elections-in-donbass |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="puppet3">{{cite web |last1=von Twickel |first1=Nikolaus |last2=Sasse |first2=Gwendolyn |author-link2=Gwendolyn Sasse |last3=Baumann |first3=Mario |date=19 March 2018 |title=Russian Analytical Digest No 214: The Armed Conflict in Eastern Ukraine |url=https://css.ethz.ch/en/services/digital-library/articles/article.html/7b91e171-a779-43d3-9f24-35e8a88d8974 |access-date=17 September 2022 |website=css.ethz.ch}}</ref> They received no [[International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic|international recognition]] from [[Member states of the United Nations|United Nations member states]] before 2022. 

On 21 February 2022, Russia [[Address concerning the events in Ukraine|recognised]] the DPR and LPR as sovereign states. Three days later, Russia launched a [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|full-scale invasion of Ukraine]], partially under the pretext of protecting the republics. Russian forces captured more of Donetsk Oblast, which became part of the DPR. In September 2022, Russia proclaimed the [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|annexation]] of the DPR and other [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|occupied territories]], following [[2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine|referendums]] widely described as [[Election#Sham election|fraudulent]] by commentators. The [[United Nations General Assembly]] passed a [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4|resolution]] calling on countries not to recognise what it called the "attempted illegal annexation" and demanded that Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine: UN General Assembly demands Russia reverse course on 'attempted illegal annexation' |date=12 October 2022 |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/10/1129492 | website=The United Nations}}</ref><ref name=bbc20221013 />

The [[Head of the Donetsk People's Republic]] is [[Denis Pushilin]], and its parliament is the [[People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic|People's Council]]. The [[Donetsk People's Republic#Ideology|ideology of the DPR]] is shaped by right-wing [[Russian nationalism]], [[Russian imperialism]] and [[Christian nationalism|Orthodox fundamentalism]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Likhachev |first=Vyacheslav |date=July 2016 |title=The Far Right in the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine |url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/rnv95_uk_likhachev_far-right_radicals_final.pdf |access-date=1 March 2022 |publisher=[[Russie.NEI.Visions in English]] |pages=25–26|quote=The ideas of Russian imperial (and, to some extent, ethnic) nationalism and Orthodox fundamentalism shaped the official ideology of the DNR and LNR. ... It can therefore be argued that the official ideology of the DNR and LNR, which developed under the influence of Russian far-right activists, is largely right-wing, conservative and xenophobic in character.}}</ref> Russian [[Ruscism|far-right]] groups played an important role among the separatists, especially at the beginning of the conflict.<ref>{{cite web |last=Likhachev |first=Vyacheslav |date=July 2016 |title=The Far Right in the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine |url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/rnv95_uk_likhachev_far-right_radicals_final.pdf |access-date=1 March 2022 |publisher=[[Russie.NEI.Visions in English]] |pages=21–22 |quote=Members of far-right groups played a much greater role on the Russian side of the conflict than on the Ukrainian side, especially at the beginning.}}</ref> Organizations such as the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|UN Human Rights Office]] and [[Human Rights Watch]] have reported [[Humanitarian situation during the war in Donbas|human rights abuses in the DPR]], including internment, torture, extrajudicial killings, and [[Mobilization in Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics|forced conscription]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Bachelet |first=Michelle |author-link=Michelle Bachelet |date=5 July 2022 |title=Ukraine: High Commissioner updates Human Rights Council |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/07/ukraine-high-commissioner-updates-human-rights-council |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=[[Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights]] (United Nations) |quote=We are also concerned about confirmed allegations of forced conscription by Russian-affiliated armed groups at the end of February 2022, in Donetsk and Luhansk.}}</ref> as well as political and media repression. The DPR People's Militia has also been held responsible for [[#War crimes|war crimes]], among them the shooting down of [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]].<ref name="AP MH17">{{cite news |last1=Corder |first1=Mike |last2=Casert |first2=Raf |date=18 November 2022 |title=3 convicted in 2014 downing of Malaysian jet over Ukraine |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-kuala-lumpur-malaysia-netherlands-099084a82b49b77b116878e24fc63a18}}</ref> Ukraine views the DPR and LPR as terrorist organisations.<ref name="terrorist1">{{cite news |date=16 May 2014 |title=Ukraine's prosecutor general classifies self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk republics as terrorist organizations |newspaper=[[Kyiv Post]] |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine/ukraines-prosecutor-general-classifies-self-declared-donetsk-and-luhansk-republics-as-terrorist-organizations-348212.html |url-status=live |access-date=18 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224162350/http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine/ukraines-prosecutor-general-classifies-self-declared-donetsk-and-luhansk-republics-as-terrorist-organizations-348212.html |archive-date=24 February 2016}}</ref>

== History ==
{{See also|Donetsk Republic (political party)|2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|2014 Euromaidan regional state administration occupations}}
[[File:2014-03-07. Донецкая облгосадминистрация 05.jpg|thumb|right|Ukrainian riot police guarding the entrance to the RSA building on 7 March 2014]]
[[File:Ukrainian military roadblocks in Donetsk oblast.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian military roadblocks in Donetsk oblast on 8 May 2014]]

The Luhansk and Donetsk Peoples Republics are located in the historical [[Donbas]] region of [[Eastern Ukraine]]. Since Ukraine's independence from the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991, Eastern and Western Ukraine typically have voted for different candidates in presidential elections. [[Viktor Yanukovych]], a Donetsk native, was elected as [[President of Ukraine]] in 2010. Eastern Ukrainian dissatisfaction with the government can also be attributed to the [[Euromaidan|Euromaidan Protests]] which began in November 2013,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-politics-euromaidan-protests/29608541.html |title=Fight For Dignity: Remembering The Ukrainian Revolution|website=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]]|date=22 November 2018 |access-date=4 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209193214/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-politics-euromaidan-protests/29608541.html |archive-date=9 February 2022 |last1=Steinzova |first1=Lucie |last2=Oliynyk |first2=Kateryna}}</ref> as well as Russian support<ref name="wil234">{{cite journal |last=Wilson |first=Andrew |date=20 April 2016 |title=The Donbas in 2014: Explaining Civil Conflict Perhaps, but not Civil War |journal=Europe-Asia Studies |volume=68 |issue=4 |pages=631–652 |doi=10.1080/09668136.2016.1176994 |issn=0966-8136 |s2cid=148334453}}</ref> due to tension in [[Russia–Ukraine relations]] over Ukraine's geopolitical orientation.<ref name="theguardian1">{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=22 September 2013 |title=Ukraine's EU trade deal will be catastrophic, says Russia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/ukraine-european-union-trade-russia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724113026/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/ukraine-european-union-trade-russia |archive-date=24 July 2020 |access-date=25 February 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> President Yanukovych's overthrow in the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution]] led to protests in Eastern Ukraine, which gradually escalated into an armed conflict between the newly formed Ukrainian government and the local armed militias.<ref name=":0">Petro, Nicolai N., Understanding the Other Ukraine: Identity and Allegiance in Russophone Ukraine (1 March 2015). Richard Sakwa and Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, eds., Ukraine and Russia: People, Politics, Propaganda and Perspectives, Bristol, United Kingdom: E-International Relations Edited Collections, 2015, pp. 19–35. Available at {{SSRN|2574762}}</ref> The [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine]] was originally characterised by riots and protests which had eventually escalated into the storming of government offices.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pro-Russia Protesters Storm Donetsk Offices |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna54046 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621080048/https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/pro-russia-protesters-storm-donetsk-offices-n54046 |archive-date=21 June 2019 |access-date=4 January 2020 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=16 March 2014}}</ref>

=== Formation (2014–2015) ===
{{see also|Russo-Ukrainian War|War in Donbas (2014–2022)}}

==== Foundations ====
{{see also|Capture of Donetsk (2014)}}[[File:2014-04-07. Протесты в Донецке 018.jpg|thumb|Pro-Russian separatists occupying the Donetsk RSA building on 7 April 2014]]
[[File:2014-04-14 Sloviansk city council - 2.jpg|thumb|[[Sloviansk]] city council under the control of heavily armed men on 14 April 2014]]
On 6 April, 2014, pro-Russian rebel leaders announced that a referendum on whether [[Donetsk Oblast]] should "join the [[Russian Federation]]", would take place "no later than May 11th, 2014."<ref name="itartassapril7">{{cite news |date=7 April 2014 |title=Regional legislators proclaim industrial center Donetsk People's Republic |agency=[[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia|ITAR-TASS]] |url=http://tass.ru/en/world/726779 |url-status=dead |access-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213918/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/726779 |archive-date=8 April 2014}}</ref> Additionally, the group's leaders appealed to Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] to send Russian peacekeeping forces to the region.<ref name="itartassapril7" /><ref>{{cite web |title=обращение народа Донбасса к Путину В.В. |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQO42EkRpbs#t=211 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420075123/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQO42EkRpbs#t=211 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=25 June 2020 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

On 7 April, between 1,000 and 2,000<ref name="BBC100a6414">{{cite news |last=Kendall |first=Bridget |author-link1=Bridget Kendall |date=7 April 2014 |title=Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820040710/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26910210 |archive-date=20 August 2019}}</ref> people attended a rally in Donetsk pushing for a [[Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Crimea|Crimea-style referendum]] on independence from Ukraine. Ukrainian media claimed that the proposed referendum had no status quo option.<ref name="kpapr10">{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/pro-russians-fortify-barricade-of-gubernatorial-building-in-donetsk-342941.html|title=Pro-Russians fortify barricade of gubernatorial building in Donetsk|date=10 April 2014|newspaper=[[Kyiv Post]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411080616/http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/photo/pro-russians-fortify-barricade-of-gubernatorial-building-in-donetsk-342941.html|archive-date=11 April 2014}}</ref> Afterwards, 200–1,000 separatists<ref>{{cite news |date=6 April 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:Протестующие в Донецке требуют провести референдум о вхождении в РФ |language=ru |trans-title=Protesters in Donetsk want to hold a referendum on joining the Russian Federation |agency=RIA Novosti |url=https://ria.ru/20140406/1002757450.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406204940/http://ria.ru/world/20140406/1002757450.html |archive-date=6 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBC100a6414" /> stormed and took control of the first two floors of [[Donetsk Regional State Administration Building|the government headquarters]] of the Regional State Administration (RSA), breaking down doors and smashing windows. The separatists demanded a referendum to join Russia, and said they would otherwise take unilateral control and dismiss the elected government.<ref name="NovDnUa1">{{cite web |date=6 April 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:Воскресный штурм ДонОГА в фотографиях |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/204896-voskresnyy-shturm-donoga-v-fotografyyakh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083141/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221959/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 |website=novosti.dn.ua |language=ru}}</ref><ref name="UPravda1">{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/|date=6 April 2014|script-title=uk:Донецькі сепаратисти готуються сформувати "народну облраду" та приєднатися до РФ|trans-title=Donetsk separatists are preparing to form a "people's regional council" and join Russia|language=uk|access-date=22 May 2015|newspaper=[[Ukrainska Pravda]]|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224223904/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/6/7021524/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=6 April 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/204901-separatysty-vystavyly-ultymatum-referendum-o-vkhozhdenyy-doneckoy-oblasty-v-sostav-rf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083422/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 |access-date=7 April 2014 |website=Donbas News |language=ru}}</ref> When the session was not held, the unelected separatists held a vote within the RSA building and overwhelmingly backed the declaration of a Donetsk People's Republic.<ref name="BBCtha">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928|title=Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic'|date=7 April 2014|work=[[BBC News]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407142644/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26919928|archive-date=7 April 2014}}</ref> According to the Russian [[ITAR-TASS]], the declaration was voted by some regional legislators, while Ukrainian media claimed that neither the Donetsk city council nor district councils of the city delegated any representatives to the session.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ngo.donetsk.ua/news/donecka-miskrada-prosit-gromadyan-ne-brati-uchast-u-protipravnih-diyah|date=7 April 2014|website=NGO.Donetsk.ua|language=uk|script-title=uk:Донецька міськрада просить громадян не брати участь у протиправних діях|trans-title=Donetsk city council asks citizens not to participate in unlawful activities|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408224544/http://www.ngo.donetsk.ua/news/donecka-miskrada-prosit-gromadyan-ne-brati-uchast-u-protipravnih-diyah|archive-date=8 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="DCCNI">{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199512.html |title=Donetsk City Council urges leaders of protests held in the city to hold talks, lay down arms immediately – statement |agency=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=7 April 2014 |access-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408212832/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/199512.html |archive-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The political leadership initially consisted of [[Denis Pushilin]], self-appointed as chairman of the government,<ref name="pushilin1">{{cite news |last=Luhn |first=Alec |date=8 April 2014 |title=Donetsk's pro-Russian activists prepare referendum for 'new republic' |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/donetsk-pro-russian-activists-referendum-ukraine |url-status=live |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409004941/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/donetsk-pro-russian-activists-referendum-ukraine |archive-date=9 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="pushilin2">{{cite news |last=Rachkevych |first=Mark |date=11 April 2014 |title=Donetsk separatists hold oblast government headquarters |newspaper=[[Kyiv Post]] |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-russian-separatists-dig-in-at-donetsk-government-342977.html |url-status=dead |access-date=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410232055/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pro-russian-separatists-dig-in-at-donetsk-government-342977.html |archive-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> while [[Igor Kakidzyanov]] was named as the commander of the People's Army.<ref name="kakidzyanov">{{cite news |date=10 April 2014 |title=Demonstrators in Donetsk plan to create 'people's army' |agency=[[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia]] |url=https://tass.com/world/727352/amp |url-status=live |access-date=14 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181449/http://en.itar-tass.com/world/727352 |archive-date=16 April 2014}}</ref> [[Vyacheslav Ponomarev (public figure)|Vyacheslav Ponomarev]] became the self-proclaimed mayor of the city of [[Sloviansk]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=2014-06-12 |title=Pro-Russian mayor of Slavyansk sacked and arrested |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/12/pro-russian-mayor-slavyansk-sacked-arrested-ukraine |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103164836/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/12/pro-russian-mayor-slavyansk-sacked-arrested-ukraine |archive-date=3 November 2014 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Ukrainian-born pro-Russian activist [[Pavel Gubarev]],<ref name="march10afp">{{cite news|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140309/pro-russian-gubarev-symbol-east-ukraine-separatism|title=Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism|date=10 March 2014|access-date=10 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314091739/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140309/pro-russian-gubarev-symbol-east-ukraine-separatism|archive-date=14 March 2014|publisher=[[GlobalPost]]}}</ref><ref name="leader">{{cite news |date=8 April 2014 |title="Донецька республіка" поки ще є і хоче в Митний союз |language=uk |trans-title="Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union |newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411230336/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ |archive-date=11 April 2014 |quote=require the release of its leader Paul Gubarev and other detained separatists;}}</ref> an [[Anti-Maidan]] activist, a former member of the [[neo-Nazi]] [[Russian National Unity]] paramilitary group in 1999–2001 and former member of the [[National Bolshevism|nazbol]] [[Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine]], proclaimed himself the People's Governor of the Donetsk Region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iwpr.net/global-voices/far-right-recruited-crimea-poll-observers|title=Far-Right Recruited as Crimea Poll Observers|last=Coynash|first=Halya|date=18 March 2014|publisher=[[Institute for War and Peace Reporting]]|quote=Pavel Gubarev, a former member of the neo-Nazi, Russian chauvinist Russian National Unity movement|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113132/https://iwpr.net/global-voices/far-right-recruited-crimea-poll-observers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Snyder|first=Timothy|author-link=Timothy D. Snyder|date=17 March 2014|title=Far-Right Forces are Influencing Russia's Actions in Crimea|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117048/far-right-forces-are-influencing-russias-actions-crimea|magazine=[[The New Republic]]|quote=In Donetsk Gubarov was known as a neo-Nazi and as a member of the fascist organization Russian National Unity.|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305200639/https://newrepublic.com/article/117048/far-right-forces-are-influencing-russias-actions-crimea|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="kpgubnaz">{{cite news |last=Matsuka |first=Oleksiy |date=10 April 2014 |title=Russia's deep ties to Donetsk's Kremlin collaborators |newspaper=Kyiv Post |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/9082 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410234928/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/russias-deep-ties-to-donetsks-kremlin-collaborators-342833.html |archive-date=10 April 2014 |quote=In Donetsk, Pavel Gubarev, a Ukrainian citizen and former member of the Russian National Unity movement, attempted to head the protest.}}</ref><ref name="tsn-gub">{{cite news|url=http://ru.tsn.ua/politika/rossiya-stanovitsya-nacistskoy-fashisty-ubivayut-migrantov-ne-priznayut-ukrainu-i-prizyvayut-k-diversiyam-359854.html|title=Kremlin turns a blind eye to the rampant Nazism in the country|date=10 April 2014|newspaper=[[1+1 (channel)|TSN]]|quote=It is worth noting that Gubarev was recently an activist of the Russian radical nationalist organization – Russian National Unity, which is included in the International Union of National Socialists.|access-date=29 June 2015|archive-date=1 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194141/http://ru.tsn.ua/politika/rossiya-stanovitsya-nacistskoy-fashisty-ubivayut-migrantov-ne-priznayut-ukrainu-i-prizyvayut-k-diversiyam-359854.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was arrested on charges of separatism and illegal seizure of power but released in a hostage swap.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moyon |first=Germain |date=2014-03-09 |title=Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism |url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/pro-russian-gubarev-a-symbol-of-east-ukraine-separatism/article/375337 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203543/http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/pro-russian-gubarev-a-symbol-of-east-ukraine-separatism/article/375337 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Digital Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="march10afp" /> [[Alexander Borodai]], a Russian citizen claiming to be involved in the Russian annexation of Crimea, was appointed as Prime Minister, while [[Igor Girkin]] was made Defence Minister. Borodai had a past working for an openly anti-semitic and fascist Russian newspaper ''Zavtra'' which had called for pogroms against Jews.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hearst |first=David |date=14 July 1999 |title=Russian neo-Nazi stabs prominent Jew |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/jul/14/davidhearst |website=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Balmforth |first=Tom |date=2014-08-17 |title=From The Fringes Toward Mainstream: Russian Nationalist Broadsheet Basks In Ukraine Conflict |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/26534846.html |website=RFE/RL}}</ref>

On the morning of 8 April, the 'Patriotic Forces of Donbas', a pro-Kyiv group that was formed on 15 March earlier that year by 13 pro-Kyiv NGOs, political parties and individuals,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ostro.org/general/politics/news/440118/|title=Патриотические силы Донбасса организовались и скоординировались. Манифест|date=15 April 2014|publisher=OstroV|access-date=11 August 2014|archive-date=12 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211811/http://www.ostro.org/general/politics/news/440118/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bigmir.net/ukraine/807417-V-Donecke-otmenili-sozdanie-Doneckoi-respybliki|date=8 April 2014|access-date=14 October 2015|publisher=News.bigmir.net|language=ru|script-title=ru:В Донецке отменили создание Донецкой республики|trans-title=The creation of the "Donetsk Republic" was cancelled in Donetsk|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002844/http://news.bigmir.net/ukraine/807417-V-Donecke-otmenili-sozdanie-Doneckoi-respybliki|url-status=live}}</ref> issued a statement "cancelling" the other group's declaration of independence, citing complaints from locals.<ref name="storyover">{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/04/8/7021722/|date=8 April 2014|newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda|language=ru|script-title=ru:Донецкая республика не продержалась и дня?|trans-title=Donestk Republic did not last a day?|access-date=8 April 2014|archive-date=11 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411232451/http://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/04/8/7021722/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gazend">{{cite news|url=https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2014/04/08/n_6068225.shtml|title=Решение о создании "Донецкой народной республики" отменено|date=8 April 2014|newspaper=[[Gazeta.ru]]|trans-title=Decision to establish a "people's republic of Donetsk" canceled|access-date=9 December 2016|archive-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130013733/https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2014/04/08/n_6068225.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ENDRD8414">{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/08/ukraine-forces-retake-kharkiv-building-pro-russians-hold-out-elsewhere/|title=Ukraine forces retake Kharkiv building, pro-Russians hold out elsewhere|date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408222253/http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/08/ukraine-forces-retake-kharkiv-building-pro-russians-hold-out-elsewhere/|archive-date=8 April 2014|publisher=[[Euronews]]}}</ref>

The [[Donetsk Republic (organization)|Donetsk Republic]] organisation continued to occupy the RSA and upheld all previous calls for a referendum and the release of their leader [[Pavel Gubarev]].<ref name="proclUP8414">{{cite news |date=8 April 2014 |title="Донецька республіка" поки ще є і хоче в Митний союз |language=uk |trans-title=""Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union" |newspaper=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411230336/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/8/7021775/ |archive-date=11 April 2014}}</ref>{{Efn|The group stated they:<br />1) do not recognise the Ukrainian government;<br />2) consider themselves the legitimate authority;<br />3) "dismiss" of all law enforcement officials appointed by the central government and Governor [[Serhiy Taruta]];<br />4) "appoint" on the 11 May referendum about self-determinat Donetsk;<br />5) require the extradition of their leader Pavel Gubarev and other already detained separatists;<br />6) require Ukraine to withdrawal its troops and paramilitary forces;<br />7) start the process of finding mechanisms of cooperation with the Customs Union of [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]] and Russia (since 2015, the [[Eurasian Economic Union]], also including [[Armenia]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]]) and other separatist groups (in [[Kharkiv]] and Luhansk).<ref name=proclUP8414/>}} On 8 April, about a thousand people rallied in front of the RSA listening to speeches about the Donetsk People's Republic and to [[Music of the Soviet Union|Soviet]] and [[Music of Russia|Russian music]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosenberg |first=Steve |date=8 April 2014 |title=Pro-Russian terrorists build barricades at Donetsk city hall |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26941897 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320025056/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26941897 |archive-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> Ukrainian media stated that a number of Russian citizens, including one leader of a far-right militant group, had also taken part in the events.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 March 2014 |title=Граждане России продолжают митинговать в Донецке за отделение Донбасса |trans-title=Russian citizens continue to rally in Donetsk Donbas secession |publisher=Novosti Donetsk |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/202817-grazhdane-rossyy-prodolzhayut-mytyngovat-v-donecke-za-otdelenye-donbassa |url-status=live |access-date=14 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620160017/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/219773/ |archive-date=20 June 2014}}</ref>

12 April saw the start of a military conflict. Russian nationalist and former intelligence officer Igor "Strelkov" Girkin led an armed team of 52 volunteers and mercenaries from Crimea, where he had participated in the Russian occupation of the peninsula, to seize police and government buildings in Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast.<ref name="galeotti">{{cite book |last=Galeotti |first=Mark |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1091651615 |title=Armies of Russia's War in Ukraine |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2019 |isbn=9781472833440 |series=Elite 228 |location=Oxford |pages=11–12 |oclc=1091651615}}</ref>{{rp|14–17}} Girkin's unit drove off an initial response by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and successive assaults by government, in what was to become an [[Siege of Sloviansk|eighty-four day siege]].<ref name="galeotti" />{{rp|14–17}} Girkin later said that he had been "the one who pulled the trigger of war".<ref>{{cite news |last=Bidder |first=Benjamin |date=2015-03-18 |title=The Ukraine War from Perspective of Russian Nationalists |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-ukraine-war-from-perspective-of-russian-nationalists-a-1023801.html |access-date=2023-01-18 |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> 

On 15 April 2014, acting Ukrainian President [[Olexander Turchynov]] announced the start of a military counteroffensive to confront the pro-Russian militants, and on 17 April, tensions de-escalated as Russia, the US, and the EU agreed on a roadmap to eventually end the crisis.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 April 2014 |title=Ukraine says Donetsk 'anti-terror operation' under way |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27035196 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201190736/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27035196 |archive-date=1 December 2018}}<br />{{cite news |date=17 April 2014 |title=Ukraine crisis: Deal to 'de-escalate' agreed in Geneva |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27072351 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802233613/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27072351 |archive-date=2 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Michael R |date=17 April 2014 |title=U.S. and Russia Agree on Pact to Defuse Ukraine Crisis |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/ukraine-diplomacy.html?hp&_r=0 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227224402/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/ukraine-diplomacy.html?hp&_r=0 |archive-date=27 February 2017}}</ref> However, officials of the People's Republic ignored the agreement and vowed to continue their occupations until a referendum was accepted or the government in [[Kyiv]] resigned.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sonne |first1=Paul |last2=White |first2=Gregory L. |date=18 April 2014 |title=Eastern Ukraine's Pro-Russian Activists Stand Fast |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304626304579509100018004342 |url-status=live |access-date=20 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420215334/http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304626304579509100018004342 |archive-date=20 April 2014}}</ref>

The OSCE reported that all the main institutions of the city observed by the [[OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine|Monitoring Mission]] seemed to be working normally as of 16 April.<ref>{{cite web |title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – Monday, 14 April 2014 |url=https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/117777 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416174445/http://www.osce.org/ukrainemonitoring/117777 |archive-date=16 April 2014 |website=OSCE}}</ref> On 22 April, separatists agreed to release the session hall of the building along with two floors to state officials.<ref name="release2">{{cite news |date=22 April 2014 |title=Сепаратисти в Донецьку вирішили звільнити кілька поверхів |language=uk |trans-title=Separatists in Donetsk decided to release several floors |newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/22/7023293/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424091133/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/22/7023293/ |archive-date=24 April 2014}}</ref> The ninth and tenth floors were later released on 24 April.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 April 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:Сепаратисты освободили 9 и 10 этажи Донецкой ОГА ФОТОФАКТ |trans-title=Separatists give up floors 9 and 10 of the Donetsk Regional Administration offices, in pictures |publisher=Novosti Donetsk |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/ru/news/206451-separatysty-osvobodyly-9-y-10-ehtazhy-doneckoy-oga-fotofakt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424211024/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/223585/ |archive-date=24 April 2014}}</ref> On the second day of the Republic, organisers decided to pour all of their alcohol out and announce a prohibition law after issues arose due to excessive drinking in the building.<ref name="vice12">{{cite news|last=Ostrovsky|first=Simon|url=https://news.vice.com/video/russian-roulette-the-invasion-of-ukraine-dispatch-twenty-three?trk_source=homepage-lede|title=Russian Roulette: The Invasion of Ukraine (Dispatch Twenty Three)|date=12 April 2014|newspaper=VICE News|access-date=11 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143722/https://news.vice.com/video/russian-roulette-the-invasion-of-ukraine-dispatch-twenty-three?trk_source=homepage-lede|archive-date=13 April 2014|quote="It's day 2 of the People's Republic of Donetsk, and it smells like there was a huge frat party here because earlier today they decided to pour all their alcohol out onto the barricades out front because apparently there's been a problem with a little bit too much drinking inside the building."}}</ref>

On 7 May, Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] asked the separatists to postpone the proposed referendum to create the necessary conditions for dialogue. Despite Putin's comments, the Donetsk Republic group said they would still carry out the referendum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/un-officials-meet-ukraine-government|title=Putin: Troops have pulled back from Ukraine border|first=Peter|last=Leonard|date=7 May 2014|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007073148/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/un-officials-meet-ukraine-government|archive-date=7 October 2014|access-date=14 May 2014}}</ref> The same day, Ukraine's security service (SBU) released an alleged audio recording of a phone call between a Donetsk separatist leader and leader of one of the splinter groups of former [[Russian National Unity]] [[Alexander Barkashov]].<ref name="vendik">{{cite news |last=Vendyk |first=Yury |date=7 May 2014 |title=Баркашов советует "впарить" Донецку итоги референдума |language=ru |work=BBC Russian |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/international/2014/05/140507_ukraine_barkashov_tapped |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509041158/http://m.bbc.co.uk/russian/international/2014/05/140507_ukraine_barkashov_tapped |archive-date=9 May 2014}}</ref> In the call, the voice said to be Barkashov insisted on falsifying the results of the referendum.<ref name="upwire">{{cite news|url=http://ukrainianpolicy.com/sbu-audio-links-donetsk-republic-to-russian-involvement/|title=SBU Audio Links Donetsk Republic to Russian Involvement|date=7 May 2014|newspaper=Ukrainian Policy|access-date=7 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508061157/http://ukrainianpolicy.com/sbu-audio-links-donetsk-republic-to-russian-involvement/|archive-date=8 May 2014}}</ref> SBU stated that this tape is a definitive proof of the direct involvement of Russian government with preparations for the referendum.<ref name="vendik" />

Ukrainian authorities released separatist leader Pavel Gubarev and two others in exchange for three people detained by the Donetsk Republic.<ref name="gubafree">{{cite news |date=7 May 2014 |title=Пленных сотрудников Альфы обменяли на трех лидеров сепаратистов – СБУ |language=uk |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |url=http://www.unian.net/politics/915617-plennyih-sotrudnikov-alfyi-obmenyali-na-treh-liderov-separatistov-sbu.html |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508030820/http://www.unian.net/politics/915617-plennyih-sotrudnikov-alfyi-obmenyali-na-treh-liderov-separatistov-sbu.html |archive-date=8 May 2014}}</ref>

Polling during this period indicated that around 18 per cent of Donetsk Oblast residents supported the seizures of administrative buildings while 72 per cent disapproved. Twelve per cent were in favour of Ukraine and Russia uniting into a single state, a quarter  were in favour of regional secession to join Russia, 38.4 per cent supported federalisation, 41.1 per cent supported a unitary Ukraine with decentralised power, and 10.6 per cent supported the status quo.<ref name="upkiis">{{cite news|first=Mat|last=Babiak|title=Southeast Statistics|newspaper=Ukrainian Policy|date=19 April 2014|url=http://ukrainianpolicy.com/southeast-statistics-of-ukraine-april-2014/|access-date=20 April 2014|archive-date=5 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305065533/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-04/russia-calls-ukraine-intervention-legal-citing-yanukovych-letter.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=news&id=258|title=The views and opinions of South-Eastern regions residents of Ukraine: April 2014|work=Kyiv Institute of Sociology|date=20 April 2014|access-date=14 October 2015|archive-date=25 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125153703/http://kiis.com.ua/?lang=eng&cat=news&id=258|url-status=live}}</ref> In an August 2015 poll, with 6500 respondents from 19 cities of Donetsk Oblast, 29 per cent supported the DPR and 10 per cent considered themselves to be Russian patriots.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.info/society/1121710-poll-in-dpr-less-than-third-of-residents-support-separatists.html|title=Poll in DPR: Less than third of residents support separatists|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=12 September 2015|access-date=12 September 2015|archive-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913074126/http://www.unian.info/society/1121710-poll-in-dpr-less-than-third-of-residents-support-separatists.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 11 May independence referendum ====
{{main|2014 Donbas status referendums|2014 Donbas general elections}}
The planned referendum was held on 11 May, disregarding Vladimir Putin's appeal to delay it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chivers |first1=Christopher John |author-link=C. J. Chivers |last2=Herzenhorn |first2=David M. |date=8 May 2014 |title=Separatists in Ukraine Vow to Proceed With Autonomy Vote |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/world/europe/ukraine.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508120504/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/world/europe/ukraine.html |archive-date=8 May 2014}}</ref> The organisers claimed that 89% voted in favour of self-rule, with 10% against, on a turnout of nearly 75%. The results of the referendums were not officially recognised by any government;<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kramer|first1=Andrew E.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/world/europe/ukraine.html|title=Russia Keeps Its Distance After Ukraine Secession Referendums|date=12 May 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=13 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512130827/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/world/europe/ukraine.html|archive-date=12 May 2014|last2=Cowell|first2=Alan}}</ref> Germany and the United States also stated that the referendums had "no democratic legitimacy",<ref name="ENsr">{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/10/ukraine-donetsk-polling-stations-gear-up-for-sunday-referendum/|title=Ukraine: Donetsk polling stations gear up for Sunday referendum|date=10 May 2014|work=[[Euronews]]|access-date=10 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215441/http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/10/ukraine-donetsk-polling-stations-gear-up-for-sunday-referendum/|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref> while the Russian government expressed respect for the results and urged a civilised implementation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sonne |first1=Paul |last2=Shishkin |first2=Philip |date=12 May 2014 |title=Russia Calls for 'Civilized Implementation' of East Ukraine Referendum Results |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-calls-for-civilized-implementation-of-east-ukraine-referendum-results-1399884791 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515003633/http://online.wsj.com/articles/russia-calls-for-civilized-implementation-of-east-ukraine-referendum-results-1399884791 |archive-date=15 May 2014}}</ref>

On the day after the referendum, the People's Soviet of the DPR proclaimed Donetsk to be a sovereign state with an indefinite border and asked Russia "to consider the issue of our republic's accession into the [[Russia|Russian Federation]]".{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} It also announced that it would not participate in the Ukrainian presidential election which took place on 25 May.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Shaun |last2=Grytsenko |first2=Oksana |date=12 May 2014 |title=Donetsk region asks to join Russia |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/12/ukraine-crisis-donetsk-region-asks-join-russia |url-status=live |access-date=27 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224835/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/12/ukraine-crisis-donetsk-region-asks-join-russia |archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref>

The first full Government of the DPR was appointed on 16 May 2014.<ref name="URSDDPR">{{cite web |last1=Naberezhnov |first1=Grigory |last2=Sotnikova |first2=Asya |last3=Artemiev |first3=Alexander |date=16 May 2014 |title= |script-title=ru:В самопровозглашенной Донецкой народной республике (ДНР) избрали правительство. Премьер-министром стал гражданин России Александр Бородай |trans-title=The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) elected a government. Russian citizen Alexander Boroday became Prime Minister. |url=http://top.rbc.ru/politics/16/05/2014/924332.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929222746/http://top.rbc.ru/politics/16/05/2014/924332.shtml |archive-date=29 September 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=[[RBC Information Systems]] |language=ru}}</ref> It consisted of several ministers who were previously Donetsk functionaries, a member of the [[Makiivka]] City Council, a former Donetsk [[prosecutor]], a former member of the special police [[Alpha (Security Service of Ukraine)|Alpha Group]], a member of the [[Party of Regions]] (who allegedly coordinated "[[Titushky]]" ([[Viktor Yanukovych]] supporters) during [[Euromaidan]]) and [[Russian citizens]].<ref name="URSDDPR" /> This government imposed martial law on 16 July.<ref name="KPma">{{cite news |last=Luxmoore |first=Matthew |date=16 July 2014 |title=Donetsk People's Republic imposes martial law, cuts off Ukrainian TV channels |work=Kyiv Post |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/donetsk-peoples-republic-imposes-martial-law-cuts-off-ukrainian-tv-channels-356315.html |access-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717061052/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/donetsk-peoples-republic-imposes-martial-law-cuts-off-ukrainian-tv-channels-356315.html |archive-date=17 July 2014}}</ref>

Elections in the DPR and LPR were held on 2 November 2014, after the territories had boycotted the [[2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election]] on 26 October.<ref name="DNR30y">{{cite web |title=Date of elections in Donetsk, Luhansk People's republics the same – Nov. 2 |url=https://tass.com/world/753919/amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115250/http://tass.ru/en/world/753919 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=tass.com}}</ref> The results were not recognised by any country.<ref>{{cite web |title=EU not to recognize elections organized by DPR and LPR |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/230608.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025173936/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/230608.html |archive-date=25 October 2014 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Interfax-Ukraine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.ria.ru/politics/20141107/195255564/Russias-Respecting-Elections-in-Donetsk-Luhansk-Does-Not-Mean.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108025039/http://en.ria.ru/politics/20141107/195255564/Russias-Respecting-Elections-in-Donetsk-Luhansk-Does-Not-Mean.html|archive-date=8 November 2014|agency=RIA Novosti|title=Russia to respect, but not necessarily recognize elections}}</ref>

The DPR adopted a memorandum on 5 February 2015, declaring itself the successor to the [[Donetsk–Krivoy Rog Soviet Republic]] and Bolshevik revolutionary [[Fyodor Sergeyev]]—better known by his alias "Artyom"—as the country's founding father.<ref>{{cite web |title=The DPR became a legal successor of the Donetsk-Krivoy-Rog Republic |url=http://novorossia.today/the-dpr-became-a-legal-successor-of-the-donetsk-krivoy-rog-republic/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206075719/http://novorossia.today/the-dpr-became-a-legal-successor-of-the-donetsk-krivoy-rog-republic/ |archive-date=6 February 2015 |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=novorossia.today}}</ref>

=== Static war period (2015–2022) | Peace proposals and stalemate ===
{{See also|2014 Donbas general elections|2018 Donbas general elections}}
On 12 February 2015, the DPR and LPR leaders, [[Alexander Zakharchenko]] and [[Igor Plotnitsky]], signed the [[Minsk II]] agreement.<ref name="OSCEfulltext">{{cite press release|url=http://www.osce.org/ru/cio/140221?download=true|title=Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements|publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|date=12 February 2015|access-date=12 February 2015|language=ru|archive-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213142137/http://www.osce.org/ru/cio/140221?download=true|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the agreement, amendments to the [[Ukrainian constitution]] should be introduced, including "the key element of which is [[decentralisation]]" and the holding of elections in the LPR and DPR within the lines of the [[Minsk Memorandum]]. In return, the rebel-held territory would be reintegrated into Ukraine.<ref name="OSCEfulltext" /><ref name="DT12FEBY">{{cite news|date=12 February 2015|title=Minsk agreement on Ukraine crisis: text in full|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11408266/Minsk-agreement-on-Ukraine-crisis-text-in-full.html|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11408266/Minsk-agreement-on-Ukraine-crisis-text-in-full.html|archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In an effort to stabilise the ceasefire in the region, particularly the disputed and strategically important town of [[Debaltseve]], Ukrainian President [[Petro Poroshenko]] called for a UN-led peacekeeping operation in February 2015 to monitor compliance with the Minsk agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31527414|title=Ukraine conflict: Poroshenko calls for UN peacekeepers|date=19 February 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=4 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904120925/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31527414|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Verkhovna Rada]] did not ratify the changes in the constitution needed for the Minsk agreement.<ref name="Olsza31815K">{{cite web|url=https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2015-09-02/ukraine-divided-over-constitutional-reform|title=Ukraine is divided over constitutional reform|last=Olszański|first=Tadeusz A.|date=2 September 2015|publisher=OSW: Centre for Eastern Studies|access-date=22 November 2016|archive-date=23 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201406/https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2015-09-02/ukraine-divided-over-constitutional-reform|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dwimsr">{{cite news |date=2 February 2016 |title=Ukraine's parliament avoids implementation of Minsk agreements |agency=[[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia]] |url=https://tass.com/world/853820 |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203092656/http://tass.ru/en/world/853820 |archive-date=3 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="SiNYT">{{cite news|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|url=http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/ukraine-oksana-syroyid.html|title=Ex-Professor Upsets Ukraine Politics, and Russia Peace Accord|date=18 March 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=22 November 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-date=5 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205074242/http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/ukraine-oksana-syroyid.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 May 2015, the leadership of the [[Novorossiya (confederation)|Federal State of Novorossiya]], a proposed confederation of the DPR and LPR, announced the termination of the confederation project.<ref name="utenrp">{{cite news|url=http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-backed-novorossiya-breakaway-movement-collapses-428372.html|title=Russian-backed 'Novorossiya' breakaway movement collapses|date=20 May 2015|work=[[Ukraine Today]]|access-date=21 May 2015|archive-date=21 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521051525/http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-backed-novorossiya-breakaway-movement-collapses-428372.html|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2015/05/19_a_6694441.shtml|date=20 May 2015|publisher=[[Gazeta.ru]]|language=ru|script-title=ru:Проект "Новороссия" закрыт|trans-title=Project "New Russia" is closed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522050653/http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2015/05/19_a_6694441.shtml|archive-date=22 May 2015|access-date=21 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dergachev |first1=Vladimir |last2=Kirillov |first2=Dmitry |date=20 May 2015 |title= |script-title=ru:Проект "Новороссия" закрыт |trans-title=Project "New Russia" is closed |url=http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2015/05/19_a_6694441.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219052032/http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-backed-novorossiya-breakaway-movement-collapses-428372.html |archive-date=19 December 2016 |access-date=21 May 2015 |publisher=[[Gazeta.ru]] |language=ru}}</ref>

On 15 June 2015, several hundred people protested in the centre of Donetsk against the presence of [[BM-21 Grad|BM-21 "Grad"]] launchers in a residential area. The launchers had been used to fire at Ukrainian positions, provoking return fire and causing civilian casualties.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1694493.html|title = Глава ДНР Захарченко вышел к митингующим за прекращение войны жителям на костылях (Онлайн)|date = 15 June 2015|last = Kanygin|first = Pavel|access-date = 15 June 2015|archive-date = 16 June 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150616092559/http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1694493.html|url-status = live}}</ref> A DPR leader said that its forces were indeed shelling from residential areas (mentioning school 41 specifically), but that "the punishment of the enemy is everyone's shared responsibility".<ref>{{cite web |last=Lilenko |first=Inna |date=2015-06-15 |title=Захарченко, оправдываясь, признался, что его боевики ведут обстрелы с территории школы {{!}} InfoResist |url=http://inforesist.org/zaxarchenko-opravdyvayas-priznalsya-chto-ego-boeviki-vedut-obstrely-s-territorii-shkoly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130013509/https://inforesist.org/zaxarchenko-opravdyvayas-priznalsya-chto-ego-boeviki-vedut-obstrely-s-territorii-shkoly/ |archive-date=30 January 2017 |access-date=15 June 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Выдача первых паспортов ДНР.webm|thumb|Issuance of the first DPR passports in March 2016 by DPR leader [[Alexander Zakharchenko]]. Zakharchenko was assassinated in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45388657|title=Alexander Zakharchenko: Mass turnout for Ukraine rebel's funeral|date=2 September 2018|work=[[BBC]]|access-date=22 February 2022|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130000522/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45388657|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

On 2 July 2015, DPR leader [[Aleksandr Zakharchenko]] ordered local elections to be held on 18 October 2015 "in accordance with the Minsk II agreements".<ref name="zak1810led">[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275451.html "Local elections in DPR to take place on October 18 – Zakharchenko"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703011906/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275451.html |date=3 July 2015 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (2 July 2015)<br />[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275646.html "DPR, LPR attempts to hold separate elections in Donbas on Oct 18 to have destructive consequences – Poroshenko"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703004400/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/275646.html |date=3 July 2015 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (2 July 2015)</ref> The [[2015 Ukrainian local elections]] were set for 25 October 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-06-11 |title=Poroshenko says local elections in Ukraine will be held on Oct. 25, date on which they will be held in Donbas is hard to predict – Jun. 11, 2015 |url=https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/content/war-against-ukraine/poroshenko-says-local-elections-in-ukraine-will-be-held-on-oct-25-date-on-which-they-will-be-held-in-donbas-is-hard-to-predict-390837.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703080720/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poroshenko-says-local-elections-in-ukraine-will-be-held-on-oct-25-date-on-which-they-will-be-held-in-donbas-is-hard-to-predict-390837.html |archive-date=3 July 2015 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Kyiv Post}}</ref> This was condemned by Ukraine.<ref name="zak1810led" />

On 4 September 2015, there was a sudden change in the DPR government, where [[Denis Pushilin]] replaced [[Andrey Purgin]] in the role of speaker of the People's Council and, in his first decision, fired Aleksey Aleksandrov, the council's chief of staff, Purgin's close ally. This happened in absence of Purgin and Aleksandrov who were held at the border between Russia and DPR, preventing their return to the republic. Aleksandrov was accused of "destructive activities" and an "attempt to illegally cross the border" by the republic's Ministry of Public Security. Russian and Ukrainian media commented on these events as yet another coup in the republic's authorities.<ref>{{cite web|title = Глава "народного совета" ДНР отправлен в отставку – BBC Русская служба|date = 5 September 2015|url = http://www.bbc.com/russian/international/2015/09/150905_donbass_purhin_sacked|access-date = 6 September 2015|archive-date = 6 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150906044925/http://www.bbc.com/russian/international/2015/09/150905_donbass_purhin_sacked|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=MacDonald |first1=Euan |last2=Lavrov |first2=Vlad |last3=Trach |first3=Nataliya |date=5 September 2015 |title='Power struggle' in Donetsk prompts flurry of speculation in Kyiv and beyond |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/power-struggle-in-donetsk-prompts-flurry-of-speculation-in-kyiv-and-beyond-397262.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905195256/https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/power-struggle-in-donetsk-prompts-flurry-of-speculation-in-kyiv-and-beyond-397262.html |archive-date=5 September 2015 |access-date=6 September 2015 |website=Kyiv Post}}</ref>

After a [[Normandy Format|Normandy four]] meeting in which the participants agreed that elections in territories controlled by DPR and LPR should be held according to Minsk II rules, both postponed their planned elections to 21 February 2016.<ref name="Reuters 6 October 2015">{{cite news|first1=Natalia|last1=Zinets|first2=Pavel|last2=Polityuk|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-election-rebels-idUKKCN0S01L220151006|title=Pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine postpone disputed elections|work=Reuters|date=6 October 2015|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=1 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301192554/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-election-rebels-idUKKCN0S01L220151006|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ukraine-rebels-to-delay-elections/2015/10/06/cf4de0e2-6c26-11e5-91eb-27ad15c2b723_story.html|title=Ukraine rebels to delay elections|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=6 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Vladimir Putin used his influence to reach this delay.<ref name="NFm2Oct15">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34457317 Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian rebels 'delay disputed elections'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007114532/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34457317 |date=7 October 2018 }}, [[BBC News]] (6 October 2015)<br />[http://www.rferl.org/content/quartet-leaders-hold-ukraine-peace-talks-october-2-paris/27282684.html Hollande: Elections In Eastern Ukraine Likely To Be Delayed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005003212/http://www.rferl.org/content/quartet-leaders-hold-ukraine-peace-talks-october-2-paris/27282684.html |date=5 October 2015 }}, [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (2 October 2015)<br />[http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-10-05/ukraine-has-no-choice-but-to-live-with-putin Ukraine Is Being Told to Live With Putin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006162910/http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-10-05/ukraine-has-no-choice-but-to-live-with-putin |date=6 October 2015 }}, [[Bloomberg News]] (5 October 2015)</ref> The elections were then postponed to 20 April 2016 and again to 24 July 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Захарченко відклав "вибори" |url=http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7106061/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009041911/http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7106061/ |archive-date=9 October 2016 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=pda.pravda.com.ua}}</ref> On 22 July the elections were again postponed to 6 November.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Захарченко переніс вибори в "ДНР" на листопад |trans-title=Zakharchenko postponed elections "DNR" in November |url=http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7115735/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=pda.pravda.com.ua}}</ref>

In July 2016, over a thousand people, mainly small business owners, protested in Horlivka against corruption and taxes, which included charging customs fees on imported goods.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1468789216|title=Large protest in occupied Horlivka against crippling militant 'taxes' :: khpg.org|website=khpg.org|access-date=18 July 2016|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816212241/http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1468789216|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://gorlovka.today/obshchestvo/5654-v-gorlovke-proshel-miting-chastnykh-predprinimatelej|trans-title=More than a thousand private entrepreneurs Gorlovka expressed distrust of the city administration|script-title=ru:Более тысячи частных предпринимателей Горловки выразили недоверие администрации города|access-date=4 March 2018|date=16 July 2016|publisher=Gorlivka Today|language=ru|archive-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304173155/https://gorlovka.today/obshchestvo/5654-v-gorlovke-proshel-miting-chastnykh-predprinimatelej|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 October 2016, the DPR and LPR held primaries in were voters voted to nominate candidates for participation in the 6 November 2016 elections.<ref name="pD21016D" /> Ukraine denounced these primaries as illegal.<ref name="pD21016D">[https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics-2/defying-minsk-process-russian-backed-separatists-hold-illegal-elections.html Defying Minsk process, Russian-backed separatists hold illegal elections] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003165741/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics-2/defying-minsk-process-russian-backed-separatists-hold-illegal-elections.html |date=3 October 2016 }}, [[Kyiv Post]] (2 October 2016)<br />[http://tass.ru/en/world/877501 Donbass militia leader announces autumn primaries in Donetsk] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005074704/http://tass.ru/en/world/877501 |date=5 October 2016}}, [[TASS news agency]] (23 May 2016)</ref> The DPR [[2018 Donbas general elections|finally held elections on 11 November 2018]]. These were described as "predetermined and without alternative candidates"<ref>{{cite news |last=Coynash |first=Halya |date=2018-11-09 |title=Russia lies about Minsk Agreement to justify support for fake 'elections' in occupied Donbas |language=en-US |work=Human Rights in Ukraine |url=http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1541719404 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111173729/http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1541719404 |archive-date=11 November 2018}}</ref> and not recognised externally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_160237.htm|title=Statement by the NATO Spokesperson on the reported elections in eastern Ukraine|website=NATO|access-date=7 October 2021|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007171000/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_160237.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 16 October 2016, a prominent Russian citizen and DPR military leader [[Arsen Pavlov]] was killed by an [[improvised explosive device]] in his Donetsk apartment's elevator.<ref>{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=2016-10-17 |title=Prominent rebel warlord Arseny 'Motorola' Pavlov dies in Donetsk blast |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/17/prominent-warlord-arsen-motorola-pavlov-killed-donetsk-blast |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806154348/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/17/prominent-warlord-arsen-motorola-pavlov-killed-donetsk-blast?CMP=share_btn_tw |archive-date=6 August 2019 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Another DPR military commander, [[Mikhail Tolstykh]], was killed by an explosion while working in his Donetsk office on 8 February 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/separatist-commander-mikhail-tolstykh-givi-killed-ukraine-1.3971740|title=Separatist commander Mikhail Tolstykh, 'Givi', killed in eastern Ukraine|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430100232/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/separatist-commander-mikhail-tolstykh-givi-killed-ukraine-1.3971740|url-status=live}}</ref> On 31 August 2018, Head and Prime Minister [[Alexander Zakharchenko]] was killed in an explosion in a cafe in Donetsk.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zverev |first1=Anton |last2=Vasina |first2=Olena |date=31 August 2018 |title=Rebel leader in east Ukraine killed in blast |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-zakharchenko-confirmat/rebel-leader-in-east-ukraine-killed-in-blast-idUSKCN1LG266 |url-status=live |access-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831184157/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-zakharchenko-confirmat/rebel-leader-in-east-ukraine-killed-in-blast-idUSKCN1LG266 |archive-date=31 August 2018}}</ref> After his death [[Dmitry Trapeznikov]] was appointed as head of the government until September 2019 when he was nominated mayor of [[Elista]], capital of [[Kalmykia|Kalmyk Republic]] in Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/10/02/russian-town-rallies-against-new-mayor-from-rebel-held-eastern-ukraine-a67544|title=Russian Town Rallies Against New Mayor From Rebel-Held Eastern Ukraine|date=2 October 2019|website=The Moscow Times|access-date=14 February 2020|archive-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004025236/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/10/02/russian-town-rallies-against-new-mayor-from-rebel-held-eastern-ukraine-a67544|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Ukrainian authorities, 50 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in clashes with Donbas separatists in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 April 2021 |title=Ukraine conflict: Moscow could 'defend' Russia-backed rebels |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56678665}}</ref>

In January 2021, the DPR and LPR stated in a "doctrine Russian Donbas" that they aimed to seize all of the territories of [[Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk Oblast]] under control by the Ukrainian government "in the near future".<ref name="7281527doctrine" /> The document did not specifically state the intention of DPR and LPR to be annexed by Russia.<ref name="7281527doctrine">{{cite web |title=Бойовики представили свою "доктрину": передбачає захоплення всього Донбасу |trans-title=Militants presented the "doctrine": provides capture of all Donbas |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/01/28/7281527/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200722/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/01/28/7281527/ |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}</ref>

=== Russian invasion of Ukraine ===
{{main|Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
{{see also|Mobilization in Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics}}
The general mobilization in the Donetsk People's Republic began on 19 February 2022; five days before the start of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine]]. Tens of thousands of local residents were [[Mobilization in Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics|forcibly mobilized for the war]]. According to the Eastern Human Rights Group, as of mid-June, about 140,000 people were forcibly mobilized in the DPR and LPR, of which from 48,000 to 96,000 were sent to the front and the rest to logistics support.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last=Golod |first=Gleb |date=2022-09-05 |title=Жизнь здесь катится в хреновую сторону. В ЛНР и ДНР на войну с Украиной забрали десятки тысяч жителей. Без них в тылу не работают предприятия, а спецслужбы преследуют даже жен призывников |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2022/07/06/zhizn-zdes-katitsya-v-hrenovuyu-storonu |access-date=2022-09-05 |publisher=Meduza}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{cite web |date=2022-08-20 |title="Облавы будут на первое сентября". Правозащитник о принудительной мобилизации в "ДНР", "ЛНР" и охоте на уклоняющихся |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/oblavy-budut-na-pervoe-sentyabrya-pravozaschitnik-o-prinuditelnoy-mobilizatsii-v-dnr-lnr-i-ohote-na-uklonyayuschihsya-/31996325.html |access-date=2022-09-05 |publisher=Настоящее время}}</ref>

On 21 February 2022, [[Address concerning the events in Ukraine|Russia recognised]] the independence of the DPR and LPR.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Joe |date=22 February 2022 |title=Why Luhansk and Donetsk are key to understanding the latest escalation in Ukraine |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082345068/why-luhansk-and-donetsk-are-key-to-understanding-the-latest-escalation-in-ukrain |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222231626/https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082345068/why-luhansk-and-donetsk-are-key-to-understanding-the-latest-escalation-in-ukrain |archive-date=22 February 2022}}</ref> The next day, the [[Federation Council of Russia]] authorised the use of military force, and Russian forces openly advanced into the separatist territories.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hodge |first=Nathan |date=22 February 2022 |title=Russia's Federation Council gives consent to Putin on use of armed forces abroad, Russian agencies report |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-22-22/h_59a413ce984eda5954ce5b9c4655bcc5 |url-status=live |publisher=[[CNN]] |publication-place=Moscow |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222170424/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-22-22/h_59a413ce984eda5954ce5b9c4655bcc5 |archive-date=22 February 2022}}</ref> Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] declared that the Minsk agreements "no longer existed", and that Ukraine, not Russia, was to blame for their collapse.<ref name="fgfg56">{{cite news |date=23 February 2022 |title=Ukraine conflict: Biden sanctions Russia over 'beginning of invasion' |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60488037 |access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref> A Russian military attack into Ukrainian government-controlled territory began on the morning of 24 February,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nikolskaya |first1=Polina |last2=Osborn |first2=Andrew |date=24 February 2022 |title=Russia's Putin authorises 'special military operation' against Ukraine |work=[[Reuters]] |publication-place=Moscow |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-putin-authorises-military-operations-donbass-domestic-media-2022-02-24/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224032217/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-putin-authorises-military-operations-donbass-domestic-media-2022-02-24/ |archive-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> when Putin [[On conducting a special military operation|announced]] a "special military operation" to "[[Demilitarisation|demilitarise]] and [[Denazification#Russian invasion of Ukraine|denazify]]" Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grunau |first1=Andrea |last2=von Hein |first2=Matthias |last3=Theise |first3=Eugen |last4=Weber |first4=Joscha |date=25 February 2022 |title=Fact check: Do Vladimir Putin's justifications for going to war against Ukraine add up? |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |url=https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-do-vladimir-putins-justifications-for-going-to-war-against-ukraine-add-up/a-60917168 |url-status=live |access-date=1 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225162831/https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-do-vladimir-putins-justifications-for-going-to-war-against-ukraine-add-up/a-60917168 |archive-date=25 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Waxman 2022">{{cite magazine |last=Waxman |first=Olivia B. |date=3 March 2022 |title=Historians on What Putin Gets Wrong About 'Denazification' in Ukraine |url=https://time.com/6154493/denazification-putin-ukraine-history-context/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |issn=0040-781X |oclc=1311479 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303211420/https://time.com/6154493/denazification-putin-ukraine-history-context/ |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref>

In the course of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]], around 55% of Donetsk Oblast came under the control of Russia and the DPR by June 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last= |date=2022-06-23 |title=Ukrainian forces now control nearly 45% of Donetsk, says official |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/ukrainian-forces-now-control-nearly-45-of-donetsk-says-official-122062300208_1.html |access-date=2022-07-09}}</ref> In the south of Donetsk Oblast, the [[Russian Armed Forces]] laid [[Siege of Mariupol|siege to Mariupol]] for almost three months.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gunter |first1=Joel |last2=Lukov |first2=Yaroslav |date=2 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian city of Mariupol 'near to humanitarian catastrophe' after bombardment |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60585603 |url-status=live |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302202213/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60585603 |archive-date=2 March 2022}}</ref> According to Ukrainian sources, an estimated 22,000 civilians were killed<ref name="22,000 civilians killed">{{cite news |date=25 May 2022 |title=At least 22,000 civilians killed in Mariupol – mayor's adviser |website=Interfax-Ukraine |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/834794.html |access-date=27 May 2022}}</ref> and 20,000 to 50,000 were illegally deported to Russia by June 2022.<ref name="Radio Liberty">{{cite web |date=27 March 2022 |title=Mariupol Mayor Cites 'Thousands' Dead, Says 'Complete Evacuation' Needed |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/lviv-attack-humanitarian-corridors/31772646.html |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=Radio Free Europe |publisher=Radio Liberty}}</ref><ref name="Mariupol residents are being forced">{{cite news |last1=Bondarenko |first1=Khrystyna |last2=Watson |first2=Ivan |last3=Stapleton |first3=AnneClaire |last4=Booth |first4=Tom |last5=Alasaar |first5=Alaa |date=19 March 2022 |title=Mariupol residents are being forced to go to Russia, city council says |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/19/europe/mariupol-shelter-commander-ukraine-intl/index.html |access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Occupying forces have deported more than 50,000 Mariupol residents to Russia and temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/06/13/7352251/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Ukrainska Pravda}}</ref> A vehicle convoy of 82 [[Ukrainian Greeks|ethnic Greeks]] was able to leave the city via a humanitarian corridor.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nedos |first=Vassilis |title=Greek convoy makes it out of Mariupol {{!}} eKathimerini.com |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1178856/greek-convoy-makes-it-out-of-mariupol/ |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=www.ekathimerini.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |title=Humanitarian corridor for Greek expatriates in Mariupol |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1178804/humanitarian-corridor-for-greek-expatriates-in-mariupol/ |access-date=4 March 2022 |website=www.ekathimerini.com}}</ref>

[[File:Референдум в Донецкой Народной Республике 03 (23-09-2022).jpg|thumb|On the first day of the referendum, 23 September. Denis Pushilin and [[Andrey Turchak]] of Putin's [[United Russia]] party]]

On 19 April 2022, a town hall assembly was reportedly organized in Russian-occupied [[Rozivka Raion|Rozivka]], where a majority of attendees (mainly seniors) voted by hand to join the Donetsk People's Republic. This came despite two hurdles: the [[raion]] was outside the borders claimed by the DPR, and the raion had not existed since 18 July 2020. The vote was claimed to be rigged, and organizers threatened anyone voting against it with arrest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thomas van Linge on Twitter: "#Ukraine 🇺🇦: the separatist entity #DNR has started to claim areas outside of the #Donbass region as part of its own. Today a sham referendum was held in the village of Rozivka (blue on the map), located in the #Zaporizhzhya oblast, not #Donetsk (orange)" / Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/thomasvlinge/status/1516410415240077332 |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=Twitter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A hall filled with pensioners in the occupied village of Rozovka in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast voted to join the "DNR" Rozivka - Ukraine Interactive map - Ukraine Latest news on live map - liveuamap.com |url=https://liveuamap.com/en/2022/19-april-a-hall-filled-with-pensioners-in-the-occupied-village |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=Ukraine Interactive map - Ukraine Latest news on live map - liveuamap.com}}</ref>

On 21 May 2022, the town of [[Oskil (village)|Oskil]] in the [[Kharkiv Oblast]] was declared part of the DPR.<ref>{{cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=Institute for the Study of War |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325065358/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The town was later recaptured by Ukrainian forces during the [[2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive|Kharkiv Counteroffensive]].

[[Dmitry Medvedev]], the former Russian president and as of July 2022 vice chairman of the Russian Security Council, in July 2022 shared a map of Ukraine where most of Ukraine, including DPR, had been absorbed by Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-27 |title=Medvedev dreams of the collapse of Ukraine and showed a "map" |url=https://odessa-journal.com/medvedev-dreams-of-the-collapse-of-ukraine-and-showed-a-map/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=odessa-journal.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Map of Russia - Donetsk.svg|thumb|A map of Russia (including illegally annexed territories), with the Donetsk People's Republic highlighted]]

''[[Der Spiegel]]'' reported that forcibly recruited men from Donbas were used as [[cannon fodder]]. According to DPR officials, more than 3,000 were killed and over 13,000 wounded, "a casualty rate of 80 percent of the initial fighting force."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Arsu |first1=Şebnem |last2=Boy |first2=Ann-Dorit |last3=Chernyshev |first3=Alexander |last4=Esch |first4=Christian |last5=Hebel |first5=Christina |last6=Imhof |first6=Oliver |last7=Popp |first7=Maximilian |last8=Schaap |first8=Fritz |last9=Schröder |first9=Thore |name-list-style= |date=23 September 2022 |title=Putin Bets It All in Ukraine |work=[[Der Spiegel]] |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/no-more-illusions-putin-bets-it-all-in-ukraine-a-a94b78fd-a99b-4196-a0a6-0332057337ea}}</ref> Human rights activists reported a huge – up to 30,000 people as of August 2022 – [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War|death toll among mobilized recruits]] in clashes with the well-trained [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]].<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" />  On 16 August 2022, Vladimir Putin stated that "the objectives of this operation are clearly defined – ensuring the security of Russia and our citizens, protecting the residents of Donbass from genocide."<ref>{{cite news |last=Teslova |first=Elena |date=16 August 2022 |title=Putin says West tries to contain formation of multipolar world |work=[[Anadolu Agency]] |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-war/putin-says-west-tries-to-contain-formation-of-multipolar-world/2662341}}</ref>

=== Annexation by Russia ===
{{see also|2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine|Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts}}
On 20 September 2022, the [[People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic|People's Council]] of the Donetsk People's Republic scheduled a referendum on the [[Territorial evolution of Russia|republic's entry into Russia]] as a [[Federal subjects of Russia|federal subject]] for 23–27 September.<ref>{{Cite web |title=В ДНР заявили, что референдум о вхождении в состав России состоится с 23 по 27 сентября |url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/15808407 |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=tass.ru}}</ref> It was widely described as a [[Election#Sham election|sham referendum]] by commentators and denounced by various countries. On 21 September, Russian President Putin announced a partial [[2022 Russian mobilization|mobilization]] in Russia. He said that "in order to protect our motherland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to ensure the safety of our people and people in the liberated territories", he decided to declare a partial mobilization.<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin speech on partial mobilisation: What exactly did he say? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/21/russias-putin-orders-partial-mobilisation-what-did-he-say |work=Al Jazeera |date=21 September 2022}}</ref> On 30 September 2022, Russia's president [[Vladimir Putin]] announced the [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|annexation of the DPR]] along with the Luhansk People's Republic and two other oblasts of Ukraine in an address to both houses of the [[Federal Assembly (Russia)|Russian parliament]]. On 12 October 2022, the United Nations General Assembly voted in [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/4|Resolution ES-11/4 to condemn the annexation]]. The resolution received a vast majority of 143 countries in support of condemning Russia's annexation, 35 abstaining, and only 5 against condemning Russia's annexation.<ref name=bbc20221013>{{cite news |date=2022-10-13 |title=Ukraine war: UN General Assembly condemns Russia annexation |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-63237669 |access-date=2022-10-14}}</ref>

==Government and politics==
[[File:2014-05-09. День Победы в Донецке 271.jpg|thumb|upright|Then-Chairman of the People's Council, [[Denis Pushilin]], speaks at a [[Victory Day (9 May)]] rally in Donetsk in 2014.]]
In early April 2014, a Donetsk People's Council was formed out of protesters who occupied the building of the Donetsk Regional Council on 6 April 2014.<ref name="NovDnUa1" /><ref name="UPravda1" /><ref name="NovDnUa2">{{cite web|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/ |script-title=ru:Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ |trans-title=Separatists put an ultimatum: a referendum on joining the Donetsk region with the Russian Federation |language=ru |website=novosti.dn.ua |date=6 April 2014 |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407083422/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/221964/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' described the self-proclaimed state as [[neo-Soviet]],<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew E.|last=Kramer|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/world/europe/rebels-in-eastern-ukraine-dream-of-reviving-soviet-heyday.html|title=Rebels in Eastern Ukraine Dream of Reviving Soviet Heyday|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=4 October 2014|access-date=22 March 2015|archive-date=21 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421135853/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/world/europe/rebels-in-eastern-ukraine-dream-of-reviving-soviet-heyday.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] described it as [[neo-Stalinist]] and a "[[totalitarian]], North Korea-like statelet".<ref>{{cite news |last=Mirovalev |first=Mansur |title=Donetsk and Luhansk: What you should know about the 'republics' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/22/what-are-donetsk-and-luhansk-ukraines-separatist-statelets |access-date=5 March 2022 |work=Aljazeera}}</ref> Administration proper in DPR territories is performed by those authorities which performed these functions prior to the war in Donbas.<ref name="wrcesj15">{{cite news|first=Tomasz|last=Piechal|url=http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2015-06-17/war-republics-donbas-one-year-after-outbreak-conflict|title=The War republics in the Donbas one year after the outbreak of the conflict|work=[[Centre for Eastern Studies]]|date=17 June 2015|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629081619/http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2015-06-17/war-republics-donbas-one-year-after-outbreak-conflict|url-status=live}}</ref> The DPR leadership has also appointed mayors.<ref>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Quinn-Judge|url=http://www.neweasterneurope.eu/articles-and-commentary/1910-ukraine-s-eastern-separatist-leaders-turn-on-each-other|title=Ukraine's eastern separatist leaders turn on each other|publisher=New Eastern Europe|date=3 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319021447/http://neweasterneurope.eu/articles-and-commentary/1910-ukraine-s-eastern-separatist-leaders-turn-on-each-other|archive-date=19 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Serhiy|last=Rudenko|url=http://m.dw.com/uk/коментар-мінськ-помер-у-москві/a-19094026?maca=ukr-VGUS-Link-YedynkaUpMobileManual-dwukr|script-title=uk:Коментар: Мінськ помер у Москві|trans-title=Commentary: Minsk died in Moscow|language=uk|publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]|date=3 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130013419/http://m.dw.com/uk/%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%80-%D0%BC%D1%96%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80-%D1%83-%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B2%D1%96/a-19094026?maca=ukr-VGUS-Link-YedynkaUpMobileManual-dwukr|url-status=live}}</ref> Some sources described the "Donetsk People's Republic" during this period as a Russian [[Puppet state|puppet government]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hutchinson |first1=Bill |last2=Reevell |first2=Patrick |date=March 4, 2022 |title=What are the Ukraine 'separatist' regions at the crux of the Russian invasion |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/ukraine-separatist-regions-crux-russian-invasion/story?id=83084803 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=ABC News |quote=The Donbas contains two provinces, Donetsk and Luhansk, that touch the Russian border and since 2014 have been controlled by two puppet separatist governments that Moscow armed and helped establish.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Russia's invasion of Ukraine |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/02/26/russias-invasion-of-ukraine |access-date=2022-10-14 |issn=0013-0613 |quote=And some take in fighters from Russian-backed militias in the Luhansk and Donetsk people's republics—a pair of puppet governments in eastern ...}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Danylyuk |first=Oleksandr |date=2022-02-02 |title=Opinion {{!}} Why the Donbass is the Key to Putin's Gambit in Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/02/02/putins-gambit-donbas-ukraine-west-doesnt-understand-00004616 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Politico |quote=Russia also installed puppet governments inside the two so-called republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The local councils of Donbass elected before the war did not support Russian aggression, so Moscow created military dictatorships in the occupied territories, which were initially run by Russian citizens. Later, the Russians were replaced by local collaborators.}}</ref>

On 5 February 2020, Denis Pushilin unexpectedly appointed [[Vladimir Pashkov]], a Russian citizen and former deputy governor of Russia's [[Irkutsk Oblast]], as the chairman of the government.<ref>{{cite web |last=Antoniuk |first=Daryna |date=7 February 2020 |title=Ex-Russian official becomes 'prime minister' of Donetsk militants |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ex-russian-official-becomes-prime-minister-of-donetsk-militants.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308103945/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ex-russian-official-becomes-prime-minister-of-donetsk-militants.html |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=9 February 2020 |website=Kyiv Post}}</ref> This appointment was received in Ukraine as a demonstration of direct control over DPR by Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ukraineun.org/en/press-center/411-statement-by-deputy-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-ukraine-mr-sergiy-kyslytsya-at-the-united-nations-security-council-briefing-on-ukraine/|title=Statement by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya at the United Nations Security Council briefing on Ukraine|website=Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations|access-date=19 February 2020|quote=How local is the recently appointed so-called acting head of "government of Donetsk" Vladimir Pashkov? The citizen of Russia, born in Siberia, graduated from the Russian Military Pacific Navy School and, until recently, the vice-governor of the Irkutsk region of Russia? Would you like to know how close is Irkutsk to Donetsk? Some insignificant 6 000&nbsp;km. Still local enough, in the opinion of Moscow, to rule in Donbas and to be talked to about its future.|archive-date=21 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221074425/http://ukraineun.org/en/press-center/411-statement-by-deputy-minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-ukraine-mr-sergiy-kyslytsya-at-the-united-nations-security-council-briefing-on-ukraine|url-status=live}}</ref>

Several Russian officials were appointed to cabinet posts and prime ministership of the DPR in June and July 2022.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-07-02 |title=Пушилин назначил министрами "ДНР" четырех чиновников из России для "скорейшего перехода в российское правовое поле" |url=https://theins1.press/news/252795 |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=The Insider |language=ru}}</ref>

===Head of the Donetsk People's Republic===
The ''Head of the Donetsk People's Republic'' ({{lang-ru|Глава Донецкой Народной Республики|Glava Donetskoy Narodnoy Respubliki}}) is the highest office of the Donetsk People's Republic. The following persons have occupied the post:

* [[Alexander Zakharchenko]] {{small|(1976–2018)}} 4 November 2014 – 31 August 2018 †. Political party: [[Donetsk Republic (political party)|Donetsk Republic]]<ref>[https://tvrain.ru/news/glava_oplota_rasskazal_o_lobbirovanii_kandidatury_zaharchenko_na_post_glavy_dnr-377583/ The head of Oplot told about lobbying of the Zakharchenko's candidacy on a post of the head of DPR (Глава "Оплота" рассказал о лоббировании кандидатуры Захарченко на пост главы "ДНР")]. [[TV Rain]]. 4 November 2014</ref><ref name="The Washington Post">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/pro-russian-rebel-leader-killed-in-eastern-ukraine-blast/2018/08/31/12a18336-ad37-11e8-b1da-ff7faa680710_story.html|title=Pro-Russian rebel leader killed in eastern Ukraine blast|date=31 August 2018|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
* [[Dmitry Trapeznikov]] {{small|(born 1981)}} ''Acting'' 31 August 2018 – 7 September 2018. Independent<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://meduza.io/news/2018/09/07/parlament-dnr-smenil-ispolnyayuschego-obyazannosti-glavy-respubliki|title=Парламент ДНР сменил исполняющего обязанности главы республики|work=Meduza|access-date=2018-09-07|language=ru-RU}}</ref>
* [[Denis Pushilin]] {{small|(born 1981)}} 7 September 2018 – Incumbent ({{small|Acting: 7 September 2018 – 20 November 2018}}). Political party: Donetsk Republic, later [[United Russia]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Head of self-proclaimed 'DNR' 'promises new phase of combat operations' after 'becoming part of Russia' |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2022/09/28/head-of-self-proclaimed-dnr-promises-new-phase-of-combat-operations-after-becoming-part-of-russia |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Meduza |language=en}}</ref>

===Legislature===
{{Main|People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic}}

The parliament of the Donetsk People's Republic is the [[People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic|People's Council]]<ref name="BBCN8614">{{cite news|date=8 June 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27743090 |title=The Ukrainians who are nostalgic for their Soviet past |work=[[BBC News]] |first =Steve |last=Rosenberg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620055824/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27743090 |archive-date=20 June 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and has 100 deputies.<ref name="DNR30y" />

===Passports and citizenship ===
In March 2016, the DPR began to issue passports<ref name="pdnr23316">{{cite web |last=Grigas |first=Agnia |date=23 March 2016 |title=Separatists Launch New "Passportization" Strategy in Eastern Ukraine |url=http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/separatists-launch-new-passportization-strategy-in-eastern-ukraine#.VvODFUYJn8c.twitter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009042223/http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/separatists-launch-new-passportization-strategy-in-eastern-ukraine#.VvODFUYJn8c.twitter |archive-date=9 October 2016 |access-date=22 November 2016 |publisher=[[Atlantic Council]]}}</ref> despite a 2015 statement by Zakharchenko that, without at least partial recognition of DPR, local passports would be a "waste of resources".<ref name="pdnr23316" /> In November 2016 the DPR announced that all of its citizens had [[dual citizenship|dual]] [[Ukrainian citizenship|Ukrainian]]/Donetsk People's Republic citizenship.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 November 2016 |title= |script-title=uk:У "ДНР" заявили, що запровадили "подвійне громадянство" |trans-title=The "DNR" said that they have introduced "dual citizenship" |publisher=[[Espreso TV]] |url=https://espreso.tv/news/2016/11/22/u_quotdnrquot_zayavyly_scho_zaprovadyly_quotpodviyne_gromadyanstvoquot |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201045/http://espreso.tv/news/2016/11/22/u_quotdnrquot_zayavyly_scho_zaprovadyly_quotpodviyne_gromadyanstvoquot |archive-date=23 November 2016}}</ref>

In June 2019, Russia started giving [[Russian passport]]s to the inhabitants of the DPR and [[Luhansk People's Republic]] under a simplified procedure allegedly on "humanitarian grounds" (such as enabling international travel for eastern Ukrainian residents whose passports have expired).<ref name="49207353Russianpassports">{{cite web |title=Russia starts giving passports to Ukrainians |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-starts-giving-passports-to-ukrainians-from-donetsk-luhansk/a-49207353 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715214445/https://www.dw.com/en/russia-starts-giving-passports-to-ukrainians-from-donetsk-luhansk/a-49207353 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=dw.com}}</ref> Since December 2019 [[Ukrainian passport]]s are no longer considered a valid identifying document in the DPR, and [[Vehicle registration plates of Ukraine|Ukrainian licence plates]] have been declared illegal.<ref name="7March2020DonbasUW">{{cite web |last=Kazanskyi |first=Denys |date=7 March 2020 |title=The march of dis-integration |url=https://ukrainianweek.com/the-march-of-dis-integration/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320160207/https://ukrainianweek.com/Society/241299 |archive-date=20 March 2020 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=The Ukrainian Week |language=en-US}}</ref> Meanwhile, the previous favourable view of Ukrainian President [[Volodymyr Zelensky]] in the DPR press was replaced with personal accusations of [[genocide]] and "crimes against Donbas", and proposals of organising a tribunal against him [[Trial in absentia|in absentia]].<ref name="7March2020DonbasUW" /> In March 2020 [[Russian language|Russian]] was declared to be the only state language of the DPR;<ref name="2020/03/06/russkij">{{cite web |last=Shilov |first=Vladimir |date=6 March 2020 |title= |script-title=ru:Русский признали в ДНР единственным государственным языком |trans-title=The Russian language has become the sole state language in the DPR |url=https://rg.ru/2020/03/06/russkij-priznali-v-dnr-edinstvennym-gosudarstvennym-iazykom.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228024042/https://rg.ru/2020/03/06/russkij-priznali-v-dnr-edinstvennym-gosudarstvennym-iazykom.html |archive-date=28 February 2021 |access-date=7 March 2020 |website=[[Rossiyskaya Gazeta|Российская газета]] |language=ru}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2022|reason=Rossiyskaya Gazeta is a Russian state entity}} previously in its May 2014 constitution, the DPR had declared both Russian and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] its official languages.<ref name="URSDDPR" />

According to the [[Ukrainian press]], by mid-2021, local residents received half a million Russian passports.<ref name="2524257300690UnitedRussia">{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/07/15/7300690/ The leader of fighters Pushilin gathered in "United Russia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715213653/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/07/15/7300690/|date=15 July 2021}}, [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (15 July 2021)<br />{{in lang|uk}} [https://tyzhden.ua/Politics/252425 "United Russia" went on the offensive in the Donbass] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715213655/https://tyzhden.ua/Politics/252425|date=15 July 2021}}, [[The Ukrainian Week]] (15 July 2021)</ref> Deputy [[Kremlin Chief of Staff]] [[Dmitry Kozak]] stated in a July 2021 interview with ''[[Politique internationale]]'' that 470,000 local residents had received Russian passports; he added that "as soon as the situation in [[Donbas|Donbass]] is resolved{{nbsp}}....The general procedure for granting citizenship will be restored."<ref name="7301163RFPKozak">{{Cite web |title=У Путіна запевняють: Роздаємо паспорти РФ на Донбасі не для анексії ОРДЛО |trans-title=At Putin assure: We distribute passports of the Russian Federation in Donbass not for annexation of ORDLO |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/07/20/7301163/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720153205/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/07/20/7301163/ |archive-date=20 July 2021 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}</ref>

===Military===
{{Main|Russian separatist forces in Donbas}}
[[File:1445528704 8r94r klga0.jpg|thumb|Banner of the Ministry of Defence]]
The '''Donbas People's Militia''' was formed by [[Pavel Gubarev]], who was elected People's Governor of Donetsk Oblast and [[Igor Girkin]], appointed the Minister of Defence of the Donetsk People's Republic.<ref name="WPost Kharkiv">{{cite news |last=Gorst |first=Isabel |date=1 March 2014 |title=In northeast Ukraine, pro-Maidan occupiers are routed by counter-demonstrators |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-northeast-ukraine-pro-maidan-occupiers-are-routed-by-counter-demonstrators/2014/03/01/6fb057e0-a162-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320031125/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-northeast-ukraine-pro-maidan-occupiers-are-routed-by-counter-demonstrators/2014/03/01/6fb057e0-a162-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html |archive-date=20 March 2017}}</ref>
The People's Militia of the DPR ({{lang-ru|[[:ru:Вооружённые силы ДНР|Вооружённые силы ДНР]]}}) comprise the [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|Russian separatist forces in the DPR]].
On 10 January 2020 president of the non-recognised pro-Russian [[Abkhazia]] accused DPR of staging a coup in his country. DPR commander [[Akhra Avidzba]] was commanding on the spot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/10/01/2020/5e187db59a7947241c0280db|title=В Абхазии заявили об участии украинцев в попытке госпереворота|trans-title=Abkhazia announces the Involvement of Ukrainians in Attempted Coup|website=[[RBK Group]]|date=10 January 2020|first=Georg|last=Tadtaev|language=ru|access-date=9 February 2020|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308211937/https://www.rbc.ru/politics/10/01/2020/5e187db59a7947241c0280db|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike [[South Ossetia]], Abkhazia had not then recognised DPR.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://georgiatoday.ge/news/12535/Russia-Advices-Abkhazia-recognize-Lugansk-and-Donetsk-|title=Russia Advises Abkhazia to Recognize Lugansk and Donetsk|website=Georgia Today|first=Thea|last=Morrison|date=3 October 2018|access-date=9 February 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111202016/http://georgiatoday.ge/news/12535/Russia-Advices-Abkhazia-recognize-Lugansk-and-Donetsk-|url-status=live}}</ref>

The award '''Hero of the Donetsk People's Republic''' ({{lang-ru|Герой Донецкой Народной Республики}}) was bestowed on

* [[Joseph Kobzon]] – Russian actor<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://antikor.com.ua/articles/60787-zaharchenko_sdelal_kobzona_20-m_geroem_dnr_video|title=Захарченко сделал Кобзона 20-м "Героем ДНР" (+видео)|access-date=2017-10-08}}</ref>
* [[Ramzan Kadyrov]] — Head of Chechen Republic<ref>{{Cite news|title=Chechen armed forces assemble to honour Putin and his ally Kadyrov|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/chechen-armed-forces-assemble-honour-putin-his-ally-kadyrov-2022-10-07/|website=Reuters|language=en|date=7 October 2022}}</ref>

=== Problems of governance ===
[[File:2014. Кузнечный фестиваль в Донецке 370.jpg|thumb|Police in Donetsk wearing insignia related to the Donetsk People's Republic, 20 September 2014]]
[[File:2018-05-09. День Победы в Донецке f164.jpg|thumb|DPR military parade in Donetsk, 9 May 2018]]
[[OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine|OSCE monitors]] met with the self-proclaimed mayor of [[Sloviansk]], Volodymyr Pavlenko, on 20 June 2014.<ref name="OSCE622">{{cite press release|url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/120113 |title=Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine based on information received until 22 June 2014 |publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=23 June 2014 |archive-date=25 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625141942/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/120113 |url-status=dead}}</ref> According to him, sewage systems in Sloviansk had collapsed, resulting in the release of least 10,000 litres of untreated sewage into the river [[Sukhyi Torets]], a tributary of the [[Seversky Donets]]. He called this an "environmental catastrophe", and said that it had the potential to affect both Russia and Ukraine.<ref name="OSCE622" />

As of May 2014, the [[Ukrainian Government]] was paying wages and pensions for the inhabitants of the DPR.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/75b30b62-d9a0-11e3-b3e3-00144feabdc0.html |title=Separatists urge Russia to annex Donetsk in wake of referendum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222055723/https://www.ft.com/content/75b30b62-d9a0-11e3-b3e3-00144feabdc0 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=16 May 2014 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/rebel-stronghold-in-ukraine-braces-for-its-showdown-1404865479 |title=Rebel Stronghold in Ukraine Braces for Its Showdown|first=Philip|last=Shishkin|date=9 July 2014 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100541/http://www.wsj.com/articles/rebel-stronghold-in-ukraine-braces-for-its-showdown-1404865479|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine/militants-steal-hr-15-million-in-donetsk-bank-354520.html |title=Militants steal Hr 15 million in Donetsk bank |work=[[Kyiv Post]] |date=3 July 2014 |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |agency=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307083003/http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine/militants-steal-hr-15-million-in-donetsk-bank-354520.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The closing of bank branches led to problems in receiving these,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/fear-grips-donetsk-as-ukraine-s-forces-vow-to-crush-pariah-rebels-1.1874978 |title=Fear grips Donetsk as Ukraines forces vow to crush pariah rebels |first=Daniel |last=McLaughlin |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=July 23, 2014 |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=13 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113143053/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/fear-grips-donetsk-as-ukraine-s-forces-vow-to-crush-pariah-rebels-1.1874978 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/putins-ukraine-assault-in-a-shambles-but-far-from-over-1404861429|title=Putin's Ukraine Assault: In a Shambles but Far From Over|first=Adrian|last=Karatnycky|date=8 July 2014 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=15 November 2014|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227230124/http://www.wsj.com/articles/putins-ukraine-assault-in-a-shambles-but-far-from-over-1404861429|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kuprijanova |first1=Inna |last2=Jolkver |first2=Nikita |date=2014-12-07 |title=Calm before the storm in Donetsk |publisher=Deutsche Welle |url=http://www.dw.com/en/calm-before-the-storm-in-donetsk/a-17780791 |url-status=live |access-date=18 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423053525/http://www.dw.com/en/calm-before-the-storm-in-donetsk/a-17780791 |archive-date=23 April 2016}}</ref> especially since the [[National Bank of Ukraine]] ordered banks to suspend financial transactions in places which are not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities on 7 August 2014.<ref name="Oschadbank HS?">{{cite news |last=Tereshchenko |first=Andriy |date=8 September 2014 |title=Навіщо Ощадбанк порушує заборону НБУ на роботу в зоні АТО |language=uk, ru |trans-title=Why Oschadbank violates the NBU's ban on work in the ATO zone |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |url=http://www.epravda.com.ua/publications/2014/09/8/488610/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908183014/http://www.epravda.com.ua/publications/2014/09/8/488610/ |archive-date=8 September 2014}}</ref> Only the Oschadbank ([[State Savings Bank of Ukraine]]) continued to function in territories controlled by the DPR, but it also closed its branches there on 1 December 2014.<ref name="Oschadbank HS?"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Oschadbank stops operation of departments on rebel-control territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions |agency=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=24 November 2014 |work=[[Kyiv Post]] |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/business/oschadbank-stops-operation-of-departments-on-rebel-control-territories-of-donetsk-and-luhansk-regions-372882.html}}{{full citation needed|date=May 2022}}</ref> In response, tens of thousands of pensioners have registered their address as being in Ukrainian-controlled areas while still living in separatist-controlled areas, and must travel outside of separatist areas to collect their pensions on a monthly basis.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pensioners-travel-outside-of-separatist-areas-to-get-their-cash-374882.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213014828/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/pensioners-travel-outside-of-separatist-areas-to-get-their-cash-374882.html |archive-date=2014-12-13 |title=Pensioners travel outside of separatist areas to get their cash |work=[[Kyiv Post]] |date=11 December 2014 |url-status=live |first=Oleg |last=Sukhov}}</ref>

In October 2014, the DPR announced the creation of its own central bank and tax office, obliging residents to register to the DPR and pay taxes to it.<ref name=RAZpamtAsc/> Some local entrepreneurs refused to register.<ref name=RAZpamtAsc>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-east-idUSKBN0IJ22G20141030 |title=East Ukraine separatists hold vote to gain legitimacy, promise normalcy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320024508/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-east-idUSKBN0IJ22G20141030 |archive-date=20 March 2017 |publisher=Reuters |date=30 October 2014 |url-status=live |first1=Thomas |last1=Grove |first2=Gabriela |last2=Baczynska}}</ref>

According to the [[National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine]] a number of local mutinies have taken place due to unpaid wages and pensions, the council claims that on 24 November 2014, the local "Women Resistance Battalion" presented to Zakharchenko an ultimatum to get out of Donetsk in two months.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/11/25/7045342/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125160922/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/11/25/7045342/ |archive-date=2014-11-25 |title=Жінки дали бойовикам 2 місяці на те, щоб забратися з Донецька – РНБО |trans-title=Women gave militants two months to get out of Donetsk – NSDC |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |date=25 November 2014 |language=uk |url-status=live}}</ref>

Since April 2015, the DPR has been issuing its own vehicle number plates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/donetsk-people-republic-seeks-sense-nationhood-170217043602195.html |title='Donetsk People's Republic' seeks sense of nationhood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218135345/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/donetsk-people-republic-seeks-sense-nationhood-170217043602195.html |archive-date=18 February 2017 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=17 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine]] reported that in the DPR, "parallel 'justice systems' have begun operating".<ref name="OSCE SMM 241215"/> They found this new judiciary to be "non-transparent, subject to constant change, seriously under-resourced and, in many instances, completely non-functional".<ref name="OSCE SMM 241215">{{cite news |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/313870.html |title=Non-transparent 'justice systems' set up in rebel-controlled Donbas areas mostly non-functional – OSCE SMM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226084453/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/313870.html |archive-date=26 December 2015 |work=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=25 December 2015}}</ref>

=== Law and order ===
{{See also|List of Ukrainian toponyms that were changed as part of decommunization in 2016}}
The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the DPR's agency responsible for implementing law and order.<ref>{{cite web|title=О Министерстве {{!}} МИНИСТЕРСТВО ВНУТРЕННИХ ДЕЛ ДОНЕЦКОЙ НАРОДНОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ|url=https://xn--b1aea3ais.xn--p1acf/about-ministry|access-date=20 June 2021|website=xn–b1aea3ais.xn–p1acf|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201633/https://xn--b1aea3ais.xn--p1acf/about-ministry|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, the DPR introduced the [[death penalty]] for cases of treason, espionage, and assassination of political leaders. There had already been accusations of [[extrajudicial execution]].<ref>{{cite web |date=18 August 2014 |title=Donetsk Separatists Introduce Death Penalty for Treason |url=https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/donetsk-separatists-introduce-death-penalty-for-treason-38435 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105510/https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/donetsk-separatists-introduce-death-penalty-for-treason-38435 |archive-date=23 August 2018 |access-date=3 September 2018 |website=The Moscow Times}}</ref> After 2015 a number of DPR and LPR field commanders and other significant figures were killed or otherwise removed from power.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/europe/ukraine/b079-russia-and-the-separatists-in-eastern-ukraine.pdf|title = Russia and the Separatists in Eastern Ukraine|date = 5 February 2016|publisher = International Crisis Group|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160221172014/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/europe/ukraine/b079-russia-and-the-separatists-in-eastern-ukraine.pdf|archive-date = 21 February 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="deutsche-welle"/> This included [[Cossack]] commander Pavel Dryomov, commander of Private Military Company (''ЧВК'') [[Dmitry Utkin]] ("Wagner"), [[Alexander Bednov]] ("Batman"), [[Aleksey Mozgovoy]], Yevgeny Ishchenko, [[Andrei Purgin]] and Dmitry Lyamin (the last two arrested).<ref>{{cite web |last=Losh |first=Jack |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Paranoia and Purges: The Dark and Dirty Battle for Power in Rebel-Held Ukraine |url=https://news.vice.com/article/paranoia-and-purges-the-dark-and-dirty-battle-for-power-in-rebel-held-ukraine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211090645/https://news.vice.com/article/paranoia-and-purges-the-dark-and-dirty-battle-for-power-in-rebel-held-ukraine |archive-date=11 February 2016 |access-date=16 February 2016 |website=VICE News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Донбасс. Грязь и кровь "братской войны"|url=http://www.rosbalt.ru/exussr/2016/01/19/1481267.html|website=Росбалт|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213072536/http://www.rosbalt.ru/exussr/2016/01/19/1481267.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2016 [[Igor Plotnitsky]], head of [[Luhansk People's Republic|LPR]], was seriously injured in a car bombing attack in [[Luhansk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvrain.ru/news/glava_lnr-414813/|title=В Луганске взорвали машину главы ЛНР|website=tvrain.ru|date=6 August 2016|access-date=6 August 2016|archive-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818205652/https://tvrain.ru/news/glava_lnr-414813/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2016 Evgeny Zhilin (Yevhen Zhylin), leader of the separatist "Oplot" unit, was killed in a restaurant near Moscow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pro-Russian militant leader from Eastern Ukraine shot dead near Moscow – media |url=http://uatoday.tv/crime/pro-russian-militant-leader-from-eastern-ukraine-shot-dead-near-moscow-media-749963.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920130331/http://uatoday.tv/crime/pro-russian-militant-leader-from-eastern-ukraine-shot-dead-near-moscow-media-749963.html |archive-date=20 September 2016 |access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.mobi/a/ukraine-russia-anti-maidan-zhyin-killed/28002053.html|title=Prominent Ukrainian Anti-Maidan Activist Killed in Moscow Restaurant|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=20 September 2016 |access-date=20 September 2016|archive-date=22 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222055736/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-anti-maidan-zhyin-killed/28002053.html|url-status=live|last1=Balmforth |first1=Tom }}</ref> In October 2016 military commander [[Arsen Pavlov|Arseniy Pavlov]] ("Motorola") was killed by an [[Improvised explosive device|IED]] planted at his house.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pavlov |first=Arsen |date=16 October 2016 |title= |script-title=ru:Командир ополчения ДНР Моторола убит в Донецке |language=ru-RU |newspaper=Interfax.ru |url=http://www.interfax.ru/world/532735 |url-status=live |access-date=16 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017142340/http://www.interfax.ru/world/532735 |archive-date=17 October 2016}}</ref> In February 2017 a bomb planted in an office killed [[Mikhail Tolstykh]] ("Givi").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvrain.ru/news/givi-427176/|title=В ДНР погиб командир батальона "Сомали" Гиви|website=tvrain.ru|date=8 February 2017|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206061735/https://tvrain.ru/news/givi-427176/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 31 August 2018 DPR leader [[Alexander Zakharchenko]] was killed by a bomb in a restaurant in [[Donetsk]].<ref name="The Washington Post"/> The DPR and Russia blamed the [[Security Service of Ukraine]]; Ukraine rejected these accusations, stating that Zakharchenko's death was the result of civil strife in the DPR.<ref name="deutsche-welle">{{cite web |last=Janjevic |first=Darko |date=2018-08-31 |title=Ukraine: Top rebel leader killed in blast |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-top-rebel-leader-alexander-zakharchenko-killed-in-donetsk-blast/a-45311018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401134243/https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-top-rebel-leader-alexander-zakharchenko-killed-in-donetsk-blast/a-45311018 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=dw.com}}</ref>

In May 2015, Ukrainian President [[Petro Poroshenko]] signed four laws concerning [[decommunisation in Ukraine]]. Various cities and many villages in Donbas [[List of Ukrainian toponyms that were changed as part of de-communization in 2016|were renamed]]. The Ukrainian decommunisation laws were condemned by the DPR.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine lawmakers ban 'Communist and Nazi propaganda' |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-lawmakers-ban-communist-and-nazi-propaganda/a-18372853 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=9 April 2015 |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222094712/https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-lawmakers-ban-communist-and-nazi-propaganda/a-18372853 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition to Ukrainian [[prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] there are reports of "thousands" of prisoners who were arrested as part of internal fighting between various militant groups inside DPR.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tvrain.ru/articles/na_podval-396392/ | title="Газета.ру" рассказала о том, как в плену "ДНР" и "ЛНР" пытали своих же | publisher=Gazeta.ru | date=16 October 2015 | access-date=19 October 2015 | archive-date=17 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017141816/https://tvrain.ru/articles/na_podval-396392/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], three soldiers of the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]], [[Aiden Aslin]], [[Shaun Pinner]], and [[Brahim Saadoune]], were sentenced to death. The DPR lifted the death penalty moratorium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/8/separatist-run-donetsk-lifts-suspension-on-the-death-sentences|title=Ukraine: Russia-backed separatists lift death penalty moratorium|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref>

=== Ideology ===
[[File:Far-right pro-Russian forces in the Russian-Ukrainian war.png|thumb|Flags of three far-right separatist groups in Donbas: [[Rusich Group|Rusich]], [[Russian National Unity (2000)|Russian National Unity]], and the [[Russian Imperial Movement|Russian Imperial Legion]].]]
{{further|Ruscism}}
According to a 2016 report by the [[Institut français des relations internationales|French Institute of International Relations]] (IFRI), [[Russian nationalism|Russian ethnic and imperialist nationalism]] has shaped the official ideology of the Donetsk and [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]] People's Republics.<ref name="Likhachev">{{cite web |last1=Likhachev |first1=Vyacheslav |date=July 2016 |title=The Far Right in the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine |url=https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/rnv95_uk_likhachev_far-right_radicals_final.pdf |access-date=1 March 2022 |publisher=[[Russie.NEI.Visions in English]] |pages=18–28}}</ref> During the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]], especially at the beginning, far-right groups played an important role on the pro-Russian side, arguably more so than on the Ukrainian side.<ref name="Likhachev" /><ref name="Averre"/>

According to [[Marlène Laruelle]], separatist ideologues in Donbas produced an ideology composed of three strands of [[Russian nationalism]]: [[Rashism|Fascist]], [[Christian nationalism|Orthodox]], and [[Soviet patriotism|Soviet]].<ref name="Averre">{{cite book |last=Averre |first=Derek |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315170770-9 |title=The Ukraine Conflict: Security, Identity and Politics in the Wider Europe |date=2018 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-315-17077-0 |editor1-last=Wolczuk |editor1-first=Kataryna |pages=90–91 |doi=10.4324/9781315170770-9 |s2cid=240042370 |quote=Separatist ideologues in the Donbas, such as they are, have therefore produced a strange melange since 2014. Of what Marlène Laruelle (2016) has called the 'three colours' of Russian nationalism designed for export—red (Soviet), white (Orthodox) and brown (fascist) ... there are arguably more real fascists on the rebel side than the Ukrainian side }}</ref>

Members and former members of neo-Nazi group [[Russian National Unity]] (RNU), as well as the [[National Bolshevik Party]], [[Eurasian Youth Union]], and [[Combatants of the war in Donbas#Cossacks|Cossack groups]], formed branches to recruit volunteers for the separatists.<ref name="Likhachev" /><ref name="Yudina">Yudina, Natalia (2015). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313258866_Russian_Nationalists_Fight_Ukrainian_War "Russian nationalists fight Ukrainian war"], in: ''Journal on Baltic Security'', Volume 1, Issue 1 ([[de Gruyter]]). pp.47–69. [[doi:10.1515/jobs-2016-0012]].</ref><ref name="washingtonp">{{cite news |date=26 June 2014 |title=Is anyone in charge of Russian nationalists fighting in Ukraine? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/06/26/is-anyone-in-charge-of-russian-nationalists-fighting-in-ukraine/ |last=Laruelle |first=Marlene |quote=Many mercenaries are related, directly or indirectly, to the Russian National Unity (RNU) movement of Alexander Barkashov ... The RNU is supposedly closely associated to members of the self-proclaimed government of Donetsk and in particular of Dmitri Boitsov, leader of the Orthodox Donbass organization ... The volunteers come from several other Russian nationalist groups: the Eurasianist Youth inspired by the Fascist and neo-Eurasianist geopolitician Alexander Dugin; the now-banned Movement Against Illegal Immigration led by Alexander Belov; the group ‘Sputnik and Pogrom’; the national-socialist Slavic Union of Dmitri Demushkin; several small groups inspired by monarchism such as the Russian Imperial Movement}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Saunders |first1=Robert |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/465681761 |title=Historical Dictionary of the Russian Federation |last2=Strukov |first2=Vlad |date=2019 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishing |isbn=978-0-8108-5475-8 |edition=2nd |location=Lanham, Maryland |pages=581–582 |oclc=465681761 |quote=Russian National Unity (RNU), banned ultranationalist political party ... a number of RNU members joined separatist forces in the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk}}</ref> A former RNU member, [[Pavel Gubarev]], was founder of the Donbas People's Militia and first "governor" of the Donetsk People's Republic.<ref name="Likhachev" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Snyder |first=Timothy |date=2014-03-17 |title=Far-Right Forces are Influencing Russia's Actions in Crimea |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117048/far-right-forces-are-influencing-russias-actions-crimea |access-date=2023-04-02 |issn=0028-6583}}</ref> RNU is particularly linked to the [[Russian Orthodox Army]],<ref name="Likhachev" /> one of a number of separatist units described as "pro-Tsarist" and "extremist Orthodox" nationalists.<ref name="Kuzio110">{{cite book |last1=Kuzio |first1=Taras |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/898167438 |title=Ukraine: Democratization, Corruption, and the New Russian Imperialism |date=2015 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-4408-3502-5 |pages=110–111 |oclc=898167438 |quote=the Russian Orthodox Army, one of a number of separatist units fighting for the “Orthodox faith,” revival of the Tsarist Empire, and the Russkii Mir. Igor Girkin (Strelkov [Shooter]), who led the Russian capture of Slovyansk in April 2014, was an example of the Russian nationalists who have sympathies to pro-Tsarist and extremist Orthodox groups in Russia. ... the Russian Imperial Movement ... has recruited thousands of volunteers to fight with the separatists. ... such as the Russian Party of National Unity who uses a modified swastika as their party symbol and Dugin's Eurasianist movement. The paramilitaries of both of these ... are fighting alongside separatists.}}</ref><ref name="Likhachev" /> Neo-Nazi unit '[[Rusich Group|Rusich]]'<ref name="Likhachev" /> is part of the [[Wagner Group]], a Russian mercenary group in Ukraine which has been linked to far-right extremism.<ref name="Guardian Wagner">{{cite news |title=Russian mercenaries in Ukraine linked to far-right extremists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/20/russian-mercenaries-in-ukraine-linked-to-far-right-extremists |work=[[The Guardian]] |last=Townsend |first=Mark |date=20 March 2022|quote=Russian mercenaries fighting in Ukraine, including the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group, have been linked to far-right extremism ... Much of the extremist content, posted on Telegram and the Russian social media platform VKontakte (VK), relates to a far-right unit within the Wagner Group called Rusich ... One post on the messaging app Telegram, dated 15 March, shows the flag of the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM), a white-supremacist paramilitary ... Another recent VK posting lists Rusich as part of a coalition of separatist groups and militias including the extreme far-right group, Russian National Unity.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Šmíd |first1=Tomáš |last2=Šmídová |first2=Alexandra |date=2021-06-01 |title=Anti-government Non-state Armed Actors in the Conflict in Eastern Ukraine |journal=Mezinárodní vztahy |volume=56 |issue=2 |pages=48–49 |doi=10.32422/mv-cjir.1778 |s2cid=236341469 |issn=2570-9429 |quote=Another group of Russian citizens who became involved in the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine were members of the so-called right-wing units of the Russian Spring |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Some of the most influential far-right nationalists among the Russian separatists are neo-imperialists, who seek to revive the [[Russian Empire]].<ref name="Likhachev"/> These included [[Igor Girkin|Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin]], the minister of defence of the Donetsk People's Republic, who espouses Russian neo-imperialism and ethno-nationalism.<ref name="Likhachev"/> The [[Russian Imperial Movement]], a [[white supremacist]] militant group,<ref name="Guardian Wagner"/> has recruited thousands of volunteers to join the separatists.<ref name="Kuzio110"/> Some separatists have flown the black-yellow-white Russian imperial flag,<ref name="Likhachev"/> such as the [[Sparta Battalion]]. In 2014, volunteers from the [[National Liberation Movement (Russia)|National Liberation Movement]] joined the Donetsk People's Republic People's Militia bearing portraits of [[Tsar]] [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nicholas II]].<ref name="Yudina"/>

Other Russian nationalist volunteers involved in separatist militias included members of the [[Eurasian Youth Union]], and of banned groups such as the [[Slavic Union (Russia)|Slavic Union]] and [[Movement Against Illegal Immigration]].<ref name="washingtonp"/> Another Russian separatist paramilitary unit, the [[Interbrigades]], is made up of activists from the [[National Bolshevism|National Bolshevik]] (Nazbol) group [[The Other Russia of E. V. Limonov|Other Russia]].<ref name="Likhachev"/> An article in ''[[Dissent (American magazine)|Dissent]]'' noted that "despite their [[neo-Stalinist]] paraphernalia, many of the Russian-speaking nationalists Russia supports in the Donbass are just as right-wing as their counterparts from the [[Azov Battalion]]".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Afrinogenov |first1=Gregory |title=The Seeds of War |url=https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/the-seeds-of-war |website=[[Dissent (American magazine)|Dissent]] |date=2 March 2022}}</ref>

In July 2015, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, said at a press conference that he respected Ukraine's far-right party [[Right Sector]] "when they beat up the gays in Kyiv and when they tried to depose Poroshenko".<ref>{{cite web |date=18 July 2015 |title=Захарченко заявил, что зауважал Правый сектор |url=https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3541010-zakharchenko-zaiavyl-chto-zauvazhal-pravyi-sektor |access-date= |website=[[Korrespondent.net]] |language=ru}}</ref>

While far-right activists played a part in the early days of the conflict, their importance was often exaggerated, and their importance on both sides of the conflict declined over time. The political climate in Donetsk further pushed far-right groups into the margins.<ref name="Likhachev"/>

In April 2022, news outlets noted that a video posted on Donetsk People's Republic's website showed Denis Pushilin awarding a medal to Lieutenant Roman Vorobyov ([[Somalia Battalion]]) while Vorobyov was wearing patches affiliated with [[neo-Nazism]]: the ''[[Totenkopf]]'' used by the [[3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf|3rd SS Panzer Division]], and the ''[[valknut]]''. However, the video did not show Vorobyov getting his medal when it was posted on Pushilin's website.<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite web |last=Cole |first=Brendan |date=5 April 2022 |title=Pro-Russian Fighter With Nazi Patches Gets Medal for Killing 'Nazis' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-mariupol-azov-nazi-1695125 |access-date=1 May 2022 |website=Newsweek |quote=Video shared by Storyful shows a soldier, named as Lieutenant Roman Vorobyov from the "Somalia" motorized rifle battalion, receiving the "St. George's Cross II" award while wearing far-right insignia.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Loh |first=Matthew |date=6 April 2022 |title=A soldier with neo-Nazi symbols on his arm was given a medal by a Russia-backed separatist republic for killing Ukrainian 'nationalists' |work=[[Business Insider]] |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-fighter-neo-nazi-symbols-medal-kill-ukraine-nationalist-2022-4?r=US&IR=T |quote=The head of the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine has been seen in a video awarding a medal to a fighter ... Published on April 3 through the Russia-backed republic's website, the footage also shows the fighter wearing symbols used by neo-Nazis. [...] the video posted on Pushilin's official website did not show Vorobyov receiving his medal}}</ref>

The DPR is highly [[Social conservatism|socially conservative]]. Abortion is banned in the DPR,<ref>{{cite web |last= |date=2015-03-14 |title=Constitution of Donetsk People's Republic: Russian nationalism, clericalism and capitalism |url=https://ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org/2015/03/14/constitution-of-donetsk-peoples-republic-russian-nationalism-clericalism-and-capitalism/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Кампанія Солідарності з Україною}}</ref> with its constitution stating that "rights and freedoms are inalienable and belong to everyone [[Beginning of pregnancy controversy|from the moment of conception]]".<ref>{{cite web |date=2014-05-22 |title=Constitution of Donetsk People's Republic: Russian nationalism, clericalism and capitalism |url=https://www.nihilist.li/2014/05/22/constitution-donetsk-people-s-republic-russian-nationalism-clericalism-capitalism-die-verfassung-der-volksrepublik-donezk-russischer-nationalismus-klerikalismus-und-kapitalismus/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Нігіліст |language=uk}}</ref>

== Recognition and international relations ==
{{Main|International recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic}}
{{See also|Luhansk People's Republic#Recognition and international relations}}
[[File:2014 Russo-ukrainian-conflict map.svg|thumb|[[Crimea]], which Russia annexed in 2014, is shown in pink. Pink in the [[Donbas]] region represents areas held by the DPR/LPR in September 2014 (cities in red)]]

The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) initially sought recognition as a [[sovereign state]] following its declaration of independence in April 2014. Subsequently, the DPR willingly acceded to the Russian Federation as a [[Federal subjects of Russia|Russian federal subject]] in September–October 2022, effectively ceasing to exist as a sovereign state in any capacity and revoking its status as such in the eyes of the international community. The DPR claims [[Succession of states|direct succession]] to Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast.

From 2014 to 2022, Ukraine, the United Nations, and most of the international community regarded the DPR as an illegal entity occupying a portion of Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast ''(see: [[International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War]])''. The Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), which had a similar backstory, was regarded in the exact same way. Crimea's status was [[Political status of Crimea|treated slightly differently]] since Russia annexed that territory immediately after its declaration of independence in March 2014.

Up until February 2022, Russia did not recognise the DPR, although it maintained informal relations with the DPR. On 21 February 2022, Russia officially recognised the DPR and the LPR at the same time,<ref name="TASSrussiarecognition">{{Cite web |date=22 February 2022 |title=Путин подписал указы о признании ЛНР и ДНР. |trans-title= |url=https://tass.ru/politika/13792297 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221195832/https://tass.ru/politika/13792297 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |access-date=21 February 2022 |website=TASS |language=ru-RU}}</ref> marking a major escalation in the [[Prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|2021–2022 diplomatic crisis between Russia and Ukraine]]. Three days later, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the entire country of Ukraine, partially under the pretext of protecting the DPR and the LPR. The war had wide-reaching repercussions for Ukraine, Russia, and the international community as a whole ''(see: [[War crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|War crimes]], [[Humanitarian impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Humanitarian impact]], [[Environmental impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Environmental impact]], [[Economic impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Economic impact]], and [[Ukrainian cultural heritage during the 2022 Russian invasion|Ukrainian cultural heritage]])''. In September 2022, Russia made moves to consolidate the territories that it had occupied in Ukraine, including [[Donetsk Oblast|Donetsk]], [[Kherson Oblast|Kherson]], [[Luhansk Oblast|Luhansk]], and [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast|Zaporizhzhia]] Oblasts. Russia officially annexed these four territories in September–October 2022.

Between February 2022 and October 2022, in addition to receiving Russian recognition, the DPR was recognised by North Korea (13 July 2022)<ref name=":northkoreaposition">{{cite news |date=13 July 2022 |title=Ukraine cuts N Korea ties over recognition of separatist regions |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/13/n-korea-recognises-breakaway-of-russias-proxies-in-east-ukraine |access-date=13 July 2022}}</ref> and Syria (29 June 2022).<ref name=":syriaposition1">{{cite news |last1=Wagdy |first1=Lilian |last2=Najem |first2=Lina |date=2022-06-29 |title=Syria recognizes independence, sovereignty of Donetsk, Luhansk -state news agency |publisher=Reuters |editor-last=Evans |editor-first=Catherine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-recognizes-independence-sovereignty-donetsk-luhansk-state-news-agency-2022-06-29/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703150251/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-recognizes-independence-sovereignty-donetsk-luhansk-state-news-agency-2022-06-29/ |archive-date=3 July 2022}}</ref><ref name=":syriaposition2">{{Cite web |last=McFall |first=Caitlin |date=2022-06-16 |title=Syria to become first to recognize Donetsk, Luhansk 'republics' in Ukraine in support of Russia's war |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/syria-recognize-donetsk-luhansk-republics-ukraine-support-russia-war |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> This means that three United Nations member states recognised the DPR in total throughout its period of claimed independence. The DPR was also recognised by three other breakaway entities: the LPR, South Ossetia (19 June 2014),<ref name="SOssetiaKyivPostC">{{cite news |date=2014-06-19 |title=South Ossetia Recognizes 'Luhansk People's Republic' |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/south-ossetia-recognizes-luhansk-peoples-republic/25427651.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211083338/http://www.rferl.org/content/south-ossetia-recognizes-luhansk-peoples-republic/25427651.html |archive-date=11 December 2014}}</ref> and Abkhazia (25 February 2022).<ref name="abkhazdonbas">{{cite web|url=https://oc-media.org/abkhazia-recognises-ukraines-donetsk-and-luhansk/|title=Abkhazia recognises Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk|work=OC Media|date=26 February 2022|access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref>

=== Relations with Ukraine ===
The Ukrainian government passed the "{{ill|Law on the special status of Donbas|uk|Закон про особливий статус Донбасу}}" on 16 September 2014, which designated a special status within Ukraine on certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions ([[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|CADLR]]), in line with the [[Minsk agreements]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} The status lasted for three years, and then was extended annually several times.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-12-15 |title=Ukraine Extends Donbas Special Status Law By One Year |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-extends-donbas-special-status-law-one-year/31002369.html |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}</ref>

In January 2015, Ukraine declared the Russia-backed [[Separatism|separatist]] republics in Donbas to be [[Terrorism|terrorist]] organizations.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 January 2015 |title=Pro-Russian rebels officially labelled terrorists by Ukraine government |publisher=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pro-russian-rebels-officially-labelled-terrorists-by-ukraine-government-1.2933845}}</ref>

=== Relations with Russia ===
Russia has recognised identity documents, diplomas, birth, and marriage certificates and vehicle registration plates as issued by the DPR and the LPR since 18 February 2017,<ref name="RrsUp18217">{{cite news |author1=Maria Kiselyova |author2=Pavel Polityuk |editor=Adrian Croft |date=18 February 2017 |title=Putin orders Russia to recognize documents issued in rebel-held east Ukraine |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-documents-idUSKBN15X0KR |url-status=live |access-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219040112/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-documents-idUSKBN15X0KR |archive-date=19 February 2017}}</ref> enabling people living in DPR-controlled territories to travel, work, or study in Russia.<ref name="RrsUp18217" /> According to the decree, it was signed "to protect human rights and freedoms" in accordance with "the widely recognised principles of international humanitarian law".<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-02-18 |title=Putin Signs Decree Temporarily Recognizing Passports Issued By Separatists In Ukraine |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-putin-recognizes-separatist-passports/28317542.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218140236/http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-putin-recognizes-separatist-passports/28317542.html |archive-date=18 December 2020}}</ref>

On February 21, 2022, [[Russian President]] [[Vladimir Putin]] signed agreements on friendship, cooperation, and assistance with DPR and the LPR, coinciding with Russia's official recognition of the two quasi-states.<ref name="TASSrussiarecognition"/> The Russian State Duma had approved a draft resolution appealing for him to recognize both quasi-states on 15 February.<ref>{{cite web |last=Light |first=Felix |date=2022-02-15 |title=Russian Parliament Backs Plan to Recognize Breakaway Ukrainian Regions |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/15/russian-parliament-backs-plan-to-recognize-breakaway-ukrainian-regions-a76381 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215131136/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/15/russian-parliament-backs-plan-to-recognize-breakaway-ukrainian-regions-a76381 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=The Moscow Times}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, [[Abkhazia]] also recognized the independence of the DPR.

=== Relations with extremist groups ===
According to the [[Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group]], a number of European politicians from [[Far-right politics|extreme-right]] and [[Far-left politics|extreme-left]] have received all-expenses-paid trips to the Donetsk People's Republic.<ref name="Coynash 2014">{{cite web | last=Coynash | first=Halya | title=Four years of Kremlin's 'Donbas republics' and their far-right and left-wing friends | website=Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group | date=11 May 2014 | url=https://khpg.org//en/1526307199 | access-date=6 April 2022|quote=politicians, usually from the far-right or extreme left, give when they appear for their all-expenses-paid visits, via Russia, to Donbas.}}</ref>

==== Far-right ====
[[File:Dobrovoljci-sa-novorus.jpg|thumb|Members of the far-right group [[Serbian Action]] in the Donbas.]]
As well as Russian far-right groups (see ''[[#Right-wing nationalism]]''), the DPR has cultivated relations with other European far-right groups and activists. The [[Lansing Institute for Global Threats and Democracies Studies]] acquired a memorandum of cooperation between the DPR and the far-right [[Russian Imperial Movement]], which trains foreign volunteers; including members of the neo-Nazi [[Atomwaffen Division]] and [[Der Dritte Weg]].<ref name="Partisan">{{cite news |last=Sierra |first=Gustavo |date=June 14, 2020 |title=Club Partizan, el campo de entrenamiento militar en Rusia para los neonazis del mundo (Club Partizan, the military training ground in Russia for the neo-Nazis of the world) |work=[[Infobae]] |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2020/06/14/club-partizan-el-campo-de-entrenamiento-militar-ruso-para-los-neonazis-del-mundo/ |access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://malcontentment.com/washingtons-defunct-atomwaffen-division-had-deep-ties-to-the-terrorist-org-russia-imperialist-movement/|title=Washington's Defunct Atomwaffen Division had Deep Ties to the Terrorist Org, Russia Imperialist Movement|date= 6 August 2022|access-date=22 August 2022|work=Malcontent News|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Stanford>{{Cite web|url=https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/russian-imperial-movement|title=MMP: Russian Imperial Movement|website=cisac.fsi.stanford.edu}}</ref><ref name="Lansing">{{cite web|url=https://lansinginstitute.org/2020/06/09/combat-training-for-european-neo-nazis-in-russia/|title=Combat training for European neo-Nazis in Russia|publisher=[[Lansing Institute]]|date=14 January 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vorkapić |first=Mirko |date=14 October 2022 |title=V 'denacifikacijo' Ukrajine tudi ruski neonacisti |trans-title=Russian neo-Nazis are also involved in the 'denazification' of Ukraine |work=24ur.com |url=https://www.24ur.com/novice/tujina/ukrajina/v-denacifikacijo-ukrajine-tudi-ruski-neonacisti.html}}</ref> [[Anton Shekhovtsov]], an expert on far-right movements in Russia and abroad, reported in 2014 that Polish neo-fascist group "Falanga", Italian far-right group "Millennium" and French [[Eurasianism|Eurasianists]] had joined the Donbas separatists.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shekhovtsov |first=Anton |date=2014-06-06 |title=Polish fascists are joining with pro-Russian right-wing extremists |url=http://anton-shekhovtsov.blogspot.com/2014/06/polish-fascists-are-joining-pro-russian.html |access-date= |website=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Shekhovtsov |first=Anton |date=2014-06-11 |title=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog: Italian fascists from Millennium ally with pro-Russian right-wing extremists |url=http://anton-shekhovtsov.blogspot.com/2014/06/italian-fascists-from-millennium-ally.html |access-date= |website=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Shekhovtsov |first=Anton |date=2014-08-27 |title=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog: French Eurasianists join (pro-)Russian extremists in Eastern Ukraine |url=http://anton-shekhovtsov.blogspot.com/2014/08/french-eurasianists-join-pro-russian.html |access-date= |website=Anton Shekhovtsov's blog}}</ref> Members of [[Serbian Action]] have also joined the Donbas separatists.<ref>Šmíd, Tomáš & Šmídová, Alexandra. (2021). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352051011_Anti-government_Non-state_Armed_Actors_in_the_Conflict_in_Eastern_Ukraine Anti-government Non-state Armed Actors in the Conflict in Eastern Ukraine]. ''Czech Journal of International Relations'', Volume 56, Issue 2. pp.51–52.</ref>

According to Italian newspaper ''[[la Repubblica]]'', well-known Italian neo-fascist Andrea Palmeri (former member of the far-right [[New Force (Italy)|New Force]] party) has been fighting for the DPR since 2014, and was hailed by DPR leader Gubarev as a "real fascist".<ref>{{cite web |last=Bulfon |first=Floriana |date=2022-04-05 |title=Simboli nazisti sull'uniforme del combattente premiato dai filo-russi di Donetsk |url=https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2022/04/05/news/simboli_nazisti_sulluniforme_del_combattente_premiato_dai_filorussi_di_donetsk-344266282/ |access-date= |website=[[la Repubblica]] |language=it}}</ref> Other far-right activists with links to the DPR include French far-right [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] Jean-Luc Schaffhauser, Italian nationalist Alessandro Musolino, German [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] journalist Manuel Ochsenreiter, and Emmanuel Leroy, a far-right adviser to [[Marine Le Pen]], former leader of the [[National Rally]].<ref name="DB150514">{{cite news|first=Pierre|last=Vaux|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/14/marine-le-pen-s-closest-advisor-comes-out-of-the-shadows-in-donetsk.html|title=Marine Le Pen's Closest Advisor Comes Out of the Shadows in Donetsk|date=14 May 2015|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=16 May 2015|archive-date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516222633/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/14/marine-le-pen-s-closest-advisor-comes-out-of-the-shadows-in-donetsk.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://khpg.org/index.php?id=1440810795|title=German neo-Nazi demonstrators with a Kremlin-backed militant cause|website=khpg.org|access-date=29 August 2015|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005161143/http://khpg.org/index.php?id=1440810795|url-status=live}}</ref>

Finnish neo-Nazis have been recruited for pro-Russian forces by [[Johan Bäckman]] and [[Janus Putkonen]], who are aligned with the local far-right pro-Russian party [[Power Belongs to the People]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Itä-Ukrainassa Venäjän puolesta taistelleet suomalaiset kehuskelevat kokemuksillaan – muualla Euroopassa vierastaistelijoita on tuomittu rikoksista|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12153718|work=[[Finnish Broadcasting Company]]|date=January 12, 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Wednesday's papers: Neo-nazi training, employment discrimination, fighting swans|url=https://yle.fi/news/3-11393801|work=[[Finnish Broadcasting Company]]|date=January 12, 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Finnish Neo-Nazis attend paramilitary trainings in Russia |url=https://eurojewcong.org/news/communities-news/finland/finnish-neo-nazis-attend-paramilitary-trainings-in-russia/|work=[[European Jewish Congress]]|date=January 12, 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Suomen uusnatsit hankkivat nyt oppia Venäjältä: järjestön koulutuskeskus järjestää haulikko- ja pistooliammuntaa, "partisaanikursseja" ja kieltää kiroilun|url=https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000006535647.html|work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]]|date=January 12, 2022|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref> Putkonen also runs the Russian-funded DONi (Donbass International News Agency) and [[MV-media]], which publish pro-Russian propaganda about the DPR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uacrisis.org/en/the-curious-case-of-janus-putkonen-how-propaganda-abroad-becomes-a-threat-at-home | title=The curious case of Janus Putkonen. How propaganda abroad becomes a threat at home | work=Uacrisis.org|date = 2019-10-03|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kaleva.fi/analyysi-ita-ukrainan-propagandisti-janus-putkonen/4329873| title=Analyysi: Itä-Ukrainan propagandisti Janus Putkonen lyö Putinin leiman Helsingin Convoy-protestiin – monologeissa talvisota sotketaan Venäjän uhkapuheisiin | work=Kaleva |access-date=22 August 2022| language=fi }}</ref>

==== Far-left ====
The DPR has also cultivated relations with various far-left groups. A small number of Spanish socialists travelled to Ukraine to fight for the separatists, with some explaining they were "repaying the favour" to Russia for the [[International response to the Spanish Civil War#Soviet Union|USSR's support to Republicans]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]].<ref name="BBCextremism">{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Patrick |date=1 September 2014 |title=Ukraine war pulls in foreign fighters |work= |location=British Broadcasting Company |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28951324 |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> Spanish fighters founded the 'Carlos Palomino International Brigade', which flew the flag of the [[Second Spanish Republic]]. In 2015, it reportedly had less than ten members, and was later disbanded.<ref name="Europapress">{{cite web |date=7 September 2014 |title=Un grupo de españoles resucitan las Brigadas Internacionales y acuden a Ucrania a combatir |trans-title=A group of Spaniards resuscitate the International Brigades and go to Ukraine to fight |url=https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-grupo-espanoles-resucitan-brigadas-internacionales-acuden-ucrania-combatir-guerra-hecho-20140907121638.html |access-date=5 July 2015 |publisher=Europapress |language=es}}</ref>

A female member of the [[Maki (political party)|Israeli Communist Party]] also reportedly fought for the separatists in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sokol |first=Sam |date=20 August 2015 |title=Israeli communist joins Ukrainian rebels to fight 'fascists and neo-Nazis' |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/israeli-communist-joins-ukrainian-rebels-to-fight-fascists-and-neo-nazis-412785 |access-date=28 February 2022 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Other examples of far-left groups fighting for the separatists were the 'DKO' (Volunteer Communist Unit) and the Interunit, which has been inactive since 2017.<ref name="kcpn.info">{{cite web |script-title=ru:Координационный центр помощи Новороссии |trans-title=Coordinational Centre for the assistance of Novorossia |url=http://kcpn.info/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421032601/http://kcpn.info/ |archive-date=2015-04-21 |access-date=5 January 2015 |publisher=kcpn.info/ |language=ru}}</ref><ref name="contropiano.org">{{Cite web |author1=Susan Witt-Stahl |date=17 September 2016 |title=Ucraina, un reportage sulla Brigata Fantasma |url=https://contropiano.org/documenti/2016/09/17/ucraina-un-reportage-sulla-brigata-fantasma-083586 |website=contropiano.org |language=it}}</ref>

The Italian communist [[ska punk]] group [[Banda Bassotti]] has also been active in support of the DPR and has organized trips to Donetsk, one of which saw the participation of [[Eleonora Forenza]], a [[member of the European Parliament]] for the [[Communist Refoundation Party]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Rubino |first=Monica |date=8 May 2017 |title=Ucraina, Forenza e "Banda Bassotti" in Donbass con la Carovana antifascista. Kiev li vuole processare per terrorismo |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/05/08/news/forenza_e_banda_bassotti_in_donbass_con_la_carovana_antifascita_kiev_li_vuole_processare_per_terrorismo-164918963/ |access-date= |website=[[la Repubblica]] |language=it}}</ref> [[Andrej Hunko]], a member of the German parliament for the far-left party [[The Left (Germany)|Die Linke]], also travelled to Donetsk to support the separatists.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tsalov |first=Yordan |date=28 July 2020 |title=Andrej Hunko and the Party Borotba: Propaganda from the Kremlin to the Bundestag |url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2020/07/28/andrej-hunko-and-the-party-borotba-propaganda-from-the-kremlin-to-the-bundestag/ |access-date= |website=[[Bellingcat]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Economy==
The DPR has its own central bank, the Donetsk Republican Bank. The republic's economy is frequently described as dependent on [[contraband]] and [[gunrunning]],<ref name=dnrlnreb>{{cite news|language=ru|url=http://pda.pravda.com.ua/columns/id_7070277/|title=Енріке Менендес: Чи є сенс у блокаді Донбасу?|trans-title=Enrique Menendez: Does it make sense to blockade Donbas?|newspaper=[[Ukrainska Pravda]]|date=6 June 2015|access-date=6 June 2015|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928124632/http://pda.pravda.com.ua/columns/id_7070277/|url-status=live}}</ref> with some labelling it a [[mafia state]]. Joining DPR military formations or its civil services has become one of the few guarantees for a stable income in the DPR.<ref name=wrcesj15/>

By late October 2014, many banks and other businesses in the DPR were shut, and people were often left without social benefits payments.<ref name=RAZpamtAsc/> Sources (who declined to be identified, citing security concerns) inside the DPR administration have told [[Bloomberg News]] that Russia transfers 2.5 billion [[Russian rubles]] ($37 million) for pensions every month.<ref name="Central Bank With No Currency">[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-15/the-central-bank-with-no-currency-no-interest-rates-but-atms The Central Bank With No Currency, No Interest Rates, But ATMs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320025115/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-15/the-central-bank-with-no-currency-no-interest-rates-but-atms |date=20 March 2017 }}, [[Bloomberg News]] (16 16 September 2015)</ref> By mid-February 2016 Russia had sent 48 humanitarian convoys to rebel-held territory that were said to have delivered more than 58,000 tons of cargo including food, medicines, construction materials, diesel generators and fuel and lubricants.<ref>[http://tass.ru/en/politics/856820 Official: Moscow will return control over eastern border to Kiev after crisis is settled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009041924/http://tass.ru/en/politics/856820 |date=9 October 2016 }}, [[Russian News Agency TASS]] (15 February 2016)</ref> President Poroshenko called this a "flagrant violation of international law" and Valentyn Nalyvaychenko said it was a "direct invasion".<ref name="ConvoyPoroshenko">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28892525 | title=Ukraine crisis: Russia aid convoy 'invades Ukraine' | work=BBC News | date=22 August 2014 | access-date=21 July 2018 | archive-date=4 January 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104091538/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28892525 | url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Reuters]]'' in late October 2014 reported long lines at [[soup kitchens]].<ref name=RAZpamtAsc/> In the same month in at least one factory, workers no longer received wages, only food rations.<ref name="Ukraine Oligarch Put on Spot as Pro-Russian Rebels Nibble at His Empire">{{cite news | url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraine-oligarch-put-on-spot-as-pro-russian-rebels-nibble-at-his-empire/510065.html | title=Ukraine Oligarch Put on Spot as Pro-Russian Rebels Nibble at His Empire | newspaper=[[The Moscow Times]] | date=26 October 2014 | access-date=30 October 2014 | archive-date=30 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030200924/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ukraine-oligarch-put-on-spot-as-pro-russian-rebels-nibble-at-his-empire/510065.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

By June 2015, due to logistical and transport problems, prices in DPR-controlled territory are significantly higher than in territory controlled by Ukraine.<ref name=wrcesj15/> This led to an increase of supplies (of more expensive products and those of lower quality) from Russia.<ref name=wrcesj15/> Mines and heavy-industry facilities damaged by shelling were forced to close, undermining the wider chain of economic ties in the region.<ref name="Ukraine Oligarch Put on Spot as Pro-Russian Rebels Nibble at His Empire"/> Three industrial facilities were under DPR "temporary management" by late October 2014.<ref name="Ukraine Oligarch Put on Spot as Pro-Russian Rebels Nibble at His Empire"/> By early June 2015, 80% of companies physically located in the Donetsk People's Republic had re-registered on territory under Ukrainian control.<ref name=dnrlnreb/>

The new ruling elites of the DPR have displaced the previous oligarchic structures in the region.<ref>Ion Marandici & Alexandru Leșanu (2021) The Political Economy of the Post-Soviet De Facto States: A Paired Comparison of Transnistria and the Donetsk People's Republic, Problems of Post-Communism, 68:4, 339–351, [[doi:10.1080/10758216.2020.1785317]] {{Cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342983357_The_Political_Economy_of_the_Post-Soviet_De_Facto_States_A_Paired_Comparison_of_Transnistria_and_the_Donetsk_People%27s_Republic |title=Archived copy |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818175120/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342983357_The_Political_Economy_of_the_Post-Soviet_De_Facto_States_A_Paired_Comparison_of_Transnistria_and_the_Donetsk_People%27s_Republic |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> The new powerholders expropriated profitable businesses. For instance, Rinat Akhmetov lost control over his assets in the region after they were nationalised. Under Russia's guidance, the republic set up trade and production monopolies through which the trade in coal and steel is organised. Lacking private banks, its own currency, and direct access to the Black Sea, DPR's survival depends exclusively on Russia's economic support and trade through the common border.<ref name="22217theguardianbackground"/>

A DPR official often promised financial support from Russia without giving specific details.<ref name=RAZpamtAsc/> Prime Minister [[Aleksandr Zakharchenko]] in late October 2014 stated that "We have the [[Russia|Russian Federation]]'s agreement in principle on granting us special conditions on gas (deliveries)".<ref name=RAZpamtAsc/> Zakharchenko also claimed that "And, finally, we managed to link up with the financial and banking structure of the Russian Federation".<ref name=RAZpamtAsc/> When ''Reuters'' tried to get more details from a source close to Zakharchenko the only reply was "Money likes silence".<ref name=RAZpamtAsc/> Early October 2014 Zakharchenko stated, "The economy will be complete, if possible, oriented towards the Russian market. We consider Russia our strategic partner". According to Zakharchenko this would "secure our economy from impacts from outside, including from Ukraine".<ref name="Donetsk Republic PM speaks in favour of economic cooperation with Russia">[http://tass.ru/en/world/753972 Donetsk Republic PM speaks in favour of economic cooperation with Russia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402172751/http://tass.ru/en/world/753972 |date=2 April 2015 }}, [[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia]] (12 October 2014)</ref> According to Yury Makohon, from the Ukrainian National Institute for Strategic Studies, "Trade volume between Russia and Donetsk Oblast has seen a massive slump since the beginning of 2014".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/separatists-cause-economic-slump-in-donbas/a-17724764|title=Separatists cause economic slump in Donbas|publisher=Deutsche Welle|access-date=18 February 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810155451/http://www.dw.com/en/separatists-cause-economic-slump-in-donbas/a-17724764|url-status=live}}</ref> Since Russia did not recognise the legal status of the self-proclaimed republic, all the trade it did with it was on the basis of Ukrainian law.<ref name=dnrlnreb/>

DPR authorities have created a multi-currency zone in which both the [[Russian ruble|rouble]] (Russia's currency) and the [[Ukrainian hryvnia|hryvnia]] (Ukraine's currency) can be used, and also the [[Euro]] and [[United States dollar|U.S. Dollar]].<ref name=wrcesj15/><ref name="Donetsk Republic PM speaks in favour of economic cooperation with Russia"/> Cash shortages are widespread and, due to a lack of roubles, the hryvnia is the most-used currency.<ref name=wrcesj15/> According to Ukraine's security services in May 2016 alone the Russian government has passed US$19 million in cash to fund the DPR administration as well as 35,000 blank Russian passports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukraine-s-intel-reveals-how-much-cash-moscow-forwards-to-militants-in-may-649987.html|title=Ukraine's intel reveals how much cash Moscow forwards to militants in May|website=uatoday.tv|access-date=21 June 2016|archive-date=21 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621144353/http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukraine-s-intel-reveals-how-much-cash-moscow-forwards-to-militants-in-may-649987.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since late February 2015, DPR-controlled territories receive their [[natural gas]] directly from Russia.<ref name=oswgd/> According to Russia, Ukraine should pay for these deliveries; Ukraine claims it does not receive payments for the supplies from DPR-controlled territory.<ref name=oswgd>[http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2015-02-25/russian-gas-donbas-games-being-played-kyiv-and-brussels Russian gas for the Donbas: the games being played with Kyiv and Brussels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704220312/http://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2015-02-25/russian-gas-donbas-games-being-played-kyiv-and-brussels |date=4 July 2015 }}, [[Centre for Eastern Studies]] (25 February 2015)</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.voanews.com/a/reu-russia-ukraine-trade-barbs-over-politics-gas/2846119.html |title=Russia, Ukraine Clash Over Politics, Gas |publisher=Voice of America |agency=Reuters |date=2 July 2015 |access-date=14 October 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305231402/http://m.voanews.com/a/reu-russia-ukraine-trade-barbs-over-politics-gas/2846119.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 July 2015, Ukrainian Energy Minister [[Volodymyr Demchyshyn]] announced that he "did not expect" that Ukraine would supply [[natural gas]] to territory controlled by separatist troops in the 2015–2016 heating season.<ref name="nugdlr">{{cite news|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/275601.html|website=[[Interfax-Ukraine]]|date=2 July 2015|title=Ukraine not planning to supply gas to uncontrolled areas of Donbas in 2015/2016 heating season – energy minister|access-date=2 July 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703012444/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/275601.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 25 November 2015 Ukraine has halted all its imports of (and payments for) natural gas from Russia.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34920207 Ukraine closes airspace to all Russian planes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723200705/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34920207 |date=23 July 2018 }}, [[BBC News]] (25 November 2015)</ref>

The DPR set up its own [[mobile network operator]] called Feniks, which was to be fully operational by the end of the summer of 2015.<ref name=KbFiD5615/> On 5 February 2015, [[Kyivstar]] claimed that Feniks illegally used equipment that they officially gave up in territories controlled by pro-Russian separatists.<ref name=KbFiD5615/> On 18 April 2015, Prime Minister Zakharchenko issued a decree stating that all equipment given up by Kyivstar fell under the control of the separatists in order to "meet the needs of the population in the communication services".<ref name=KbFiD5615>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/business/kremlin-separatist-area-gets-its-own-mobile-operator-390356.html Kremlin-separatist area gets its own mobile operator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606011953/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/business/kremlin-separatist-area-gets-its-own-mobile-operator-390356.html |date=6 June 2015 }}, [[Kyiv Post]] (5 June 2015)<br />[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/248826.html Kyivstar switches off mobile network in militant-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622170022/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/248826.html |date=22 June 2015 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (5 February 2015)</ref> The [[SIM card]]s of Feniks display the slogan "Connection for the victory".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/mobile-connection-partially-restored-war-torn-east-ukraine-180205890.html|title=Mobile connection partially restored in war-torn east Ukraine|date=19 January 2018 |publisher=Yahoo! News|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-date=19 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119203858/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/mobile-connection-partially-restored-war-torn-east-ukraine-180205890.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In mid-March 2017, [[Ukrainian President]] [[Petro Poroshenko]] signed a temporary ban on the movement of goods to and from territory controlled by DPR and LPR. Ukraine has not bought coal from the [[Donets Black Coal Basin]] since then.<ref>[https://economics.unian.info/2338645-ukrainian-energy-industry-thorny-road-of-reform.html Ukrainian energy industry: thorny road of reform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110164106/https://economics.unian.info/2338645-ukrainian-energy-industry-thorny-road-of-reform.html |date=10 January 2018 }}, [[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] (10 January 2018)</ref>

[[Anthracite]] mines under DPR control reportedly supply coal to Poland through Russian shell companies to disguise its real origin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://notesfrompoland.com/2019/11/28/less-gas-more-coal-polands-contradictory-approach-to-russian-energy-imports/|title=Less gas, more coal: Poland's contradictory approach to Russian energy imports|date=28 November 2019|website=Notes From Poland|language=en-US|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203091840/https://notesfrompoland.com/2019/11/28/less-gas-more-coal-polands-contradictory-approach-to-russian-energy-imports/|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to Ukrainian and Russian media, the coal export company [[Vneshtorgservis]], owned by [[Serhiy Kurchenko]], owes massive debts to coal mines located in separatist-controlled territory and other local companies.<ref>[https://ukrainianweek.com/Society/240111 The age of marauders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203012016/https://ukrainianweek.com/Society/240111 |date=3 February 2020 }}, The Ukrainian Week (2 February 2020)</ref>

Sergey Zdrilyuk ("Abwehr"), former deputy of DPR militia, stated in an interview in 2020 that large-scale disassembly of mining equipment for scrap metal and other forms of [[looting]] took place routinely during [[Igor Strelkov (officer)|Igor Girkin]]'s time as a militia commander, and that Girkin took significant amounts of money with him to Moscow. Militia groups such as "Vostok" and "Oplot" as well as various "Cossack formations", were involved in looting on systematic basis.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|date=2 June 2020|title="Интервью с Гордоном – просто фарс": Герой Донбасса рассказал о "работе на понты" Стрелкова-Гиркина|url=https://tsargrad.tv/news/intervju-s-gordonom-prosto-fars-geroj-donbassa-rasskazal-o-rabote-na-ponty-strelkova-girkina_257577|access-date=3 June 2020|website=tsargrad.tv|language=ru|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130231444/https://tsargrad.tv/news/intervju-s-gordonom-prosto-fars-geroj-donbassa-rasskazal-o-rabote-na-ponty-strelkova-girkina_257577|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web|last=Kazanskiy|first=Denis|year=2020|title=Соратник Стрелкова рассказал всю правду о преступлениях "ополчения" ДНР|website=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHQRAGXAJ-E|access-date=3 June 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609121541/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHQRAGXAJ-E&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Human rights ==
{{Main|Humanitarian situation during the war in Donbas}}

An early March 2016 [[United Nations]] [[OHCHR]] report stated that people that lived in separatist-controlled areas were experiencing "complete absence of rule of law, reports of arbitrary detention, torture and incommunicado detention, and no access to real redress mechanisms".<ref>[https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53359 Ukraine: growing despair among over three million civilians in a conflict zone – UN report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320025107/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53359 |date=20 March 2017 }}, [[United Nations]] (3 March 2016)<br />{{cite book | url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/Ukraine_13th_HRMMU_Report_3March2016.pdf | title=Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 16 November 2015 to 15 February 2016 | publisher=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights | date=3 March 2016 | access-date=3 March 2016 | archive-date=6 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306083551/http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/Ukraine_13th_HRMMU_Report_3March2016.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Freedom House]] evaluates the eastern Donbas territories controlled by the DPR and LPR as "not free", scoring 4 out of 100 in its 2022 Freedom in the World index, noting issues with severe political and media repression, numerous reports of torture, and arbitrary detention.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eastern Donbas: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/eastern-donbas/freedom-world/2022 |access-date=7 October 2022 |website=Freedom House}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' noted on 17 February 2022 that "Public opposition in the DPR is virtually non-existent."<ref name="22217theguardianbackground">{{cite web |last=Roth |first=Andrew |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/what-is-the-background-to-the-separatists-attack-in-east-ukraine |title=What is the background to the separatist attack in east Ukraine? |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 February 2022 |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221195021/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/17/what-is-the-background-to-the-separatists-attack-in-east-ukraine |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== War crimes ===
[[File:2021-10-23. Протесты в Донецке против бездействия ОБСЕ DSC 1400.jpg|thumb|Protest in Donetsk against [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]]'s inaction in Donbas, 23 October 2021]]
An 18 November 2014 [[United Nations]] report on [[eastern Ukraine]] stated that the DPR was in a state of "total breakdown of law and order".<ref name=UNREU201114/> The report noted "cases of serious human rights abuses by the armed groups continued to be reported, including torture, arbitrary and incommunicado detention, [[summary execution]]s, forced labour, sexual violence, as well as the destruction and illegal seizure of property may amount to [[crimes against humanity]]".<ref name=UNREU201114>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30126207 Almost 1,000 dead since east Ukraine truce – UN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903013315/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30126207 |date=3 September 2018 }}, [[BBC News]] (21 November 2014)<br />[http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-un-idUKKCN0J40X820141120 Ukraine death toll rises to more than 4,300 despite ceasefire – U.N.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916164718/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-un-idUKKCN0J40X820141120 |date=16 September 2016 }}, [[Reuters]] (21 November 2014)</ref> The November report also stated "the HRMMU continued to receive allegations of sexual and gender-based violence in the eastern regions. In one reported incident, members of the pro-Russian [[Vostok Battalion (Donbas)|Vostok Battalion]] "arrested" a woman for violating a curfew and beat her with metal sticks for three hours. The woman was also raped by several pro-Russian rebels from the battalion. The report also states that the UN mission "continued to receive reports of torture and ill-treatment by the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and volunteer battalions and by the (pro-Russian separatist) armed groups, including beating, death threats, cruel, [[inhuman or degrading treatment|inhuman and degrading treatment]], and lack of access to medical assistance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/OHCHR_seventh_reportUkraine20.11.14.pdf|title=7th Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 15 November 2014|work=OHCHR|date=20 November 2014|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924055651/http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/OHCHR_seventh_reportUkraine20.11.14.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 15 December 2014 press conference in [[Kyiv]], [[UN Assistant Secretary-General]] for [[human rights]] [[Ivan Šimonović]] stated that the majority of human rights violations were committed in areas controlled by pro-Russian rebels.<ref>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/239935.html Majority of human rights violations in Ukraine committed by militants – UN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215213423/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/239935.html |date=15 December 2014 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (15 December 2014)</ref>

The United Nations report also accused the [[Ukrainian Army]] and [[Territorial defense battalion (Ukraine)|Ukrainian (volunteer) territorial defence battalions]], including the [Azov Battalion]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Bershidsky|first=Leonid|author-link=Leonid Bershidsky|url=http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-06-12/ukraine-s-neo-nazis-won-t-get-u-s-money|title=Ukraine's Neo-Nazis Won't Get U.S. Money|newspaper=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]|date=12 June 2015|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120125547/http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-06-12/ukraine-s-neo-nazis-won-t-get-u-s-money|archive-date=20 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Parfitt|first=Tom|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11025137/Ukraine-crisis-the-neo-Nazi-brigade-fighting-pro-Russian-separatists.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11025137/Ukraine-crisis-the-neo-Nazi-brigade-fighting-pro-Russian-separatists.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ukraine crisis: the neo-Nazi brigade fighting pro-Russian separatists|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=11 August 2014|access-date=9 December 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> of human rights abuses such as illegal detention, torture and ill-treatment of DPR and LPR supporters, noting official denials.<ref name=UNREU201114/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/OHCHR_seventh_reportUkraine20.11.14.pdf|title=Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 15 November 2014|work=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|OHCHR]]|date=15 November 2014|access-date=9 December 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025225324/http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/OHCHR_seventh_reportUkraine20.11.14.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Amnesty International reported on 24 December 2014 that pro-government volunteer battalions were [[Blockade|blocking Ukrainian aid convoys]] from entering separatist-controlled territory.<ref name="AI24DEC">{{cite press release|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/12/eastern-ukraine-humanitarian-disaster-looms-food-aid-blocked/|title=Eastern Ukraine: Humanitarian disaster looms as food aid blocked|publisher=Amnesty International|date=24 December 2014|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626044635/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/12/eastern-ukraine-humanitarian-disaster-looms-food-aid-blocked/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 24 July, Human Rights Watch accused the pro-Russian fighters of not taking measures to avoid encamping in densely populated civilian areas."<ref name="washingtonpost1"/><ref name="HRWunguidedrockets"/> It also accused Ukrainian government forces and [[Territorial defence battalion (Ukraine)|pro-government volunteer battalions]] of [[indiscriminate attack]]s on civilian areas, stating that "The use of indiscriminate rockets in populated areas violates international humanitarian law, or the laws of war, and may amount to war crimes."<ref name="washingtonpost1">"[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/07/25/human-rights-watch-ukrainian-forces-are-rocketing-civilians/ Human Rights Watch: Ukrainian forces are rocketing civilians] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020060301/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/07/25/human-rights-watch-ukrainian-forces-are-rocketing-civilians/ |date=20 October 2017 }}". ''[[The Washington Post]]''. 25 July 2014.</ref><ref name="HRWunguidedrockets">{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/24/ukraine-unguided-rockets-killing-civilians|title=Ukraine: Unguided Rockets Killing Civilians – Stop Use of Grads in Populated Areas|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|date=24 July 2014|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724231853/http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/24/ukraine-unguided-rockets-killing-civilians|archive-date=24 July 2014}}</ref>

A report by the OHCHR [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] that was released on 2 March 2015 described media postings and online videos which indicated that the pro-Russian armed groups of the DPR carried out "summary, extrajudicial or arbitrary executions" of captured Ukrainian soldiers. In one incident, corpses of Ukrainian servicemen were found with "their hands tied with white electrical cable" after the pro-Russian rebel groups captured [[Donetsk International Airport]]. In January a DPR leader claimed that the rebel forces were detaining up to five "subversives" between the ages of 18 and 35 per day. A number of captured [[prisoners of war]] were forced to march in Donetsk while being assaulted by rebel soldiers and onlookers. The report also said that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies had engaged in a "pattern of enforced disappearances, secret detention and ill-treatment" of people suspected of "separatism" and "terrorism".<ref name="OHCHR32MARCH2015"/> The report also mentions videos of members of one particular pro-Russian unit talking about running a torture facility in the basement of a Luhansk library. The head of the unit in question was the pro-Russian separatist commander Aleksandr Biednov, known as "Batman" (who was later killed) and the "head" of the torture chamber was a rebel called "Maniac" who "allegedly used a hammer to torture prisoners and surgery kit to scare and extract confessions from prisoners".<ref name="OHCHR32MARCH2015">{{cite web | url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/9thOHCHRreportUkraine.pdf#sthash.HFQs2pv2.dpuf | title=Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine: 1 December 2014 to 15 February 2015 | publisher=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights | date=2 March 2015 | access-date=3 March 2015 | page=4 | archive-date=10 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510041717/https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/9thOHCHRreportUkraine.pdf#sthash.HFQs2pv2.dpuf | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/batman-pro-russian-separatist-death-blamed-ukraine-separatists-1481805 |title=Who killed Batman? Pro-Russian separatist's death blamed on Ukraine and other separatists |work=International Business Times |date=4 January 2015 |access-date=10 May 2015 |archive-date=14 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514050638/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/batman-pro-russian-separatist-death-blamed-ukraine-separatists-1481805 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2015, [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]] published a report on the testimonies of victims held in places of illegal detention in Donbas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osce.org/odihr/185431|title=Surviving hell – testimonies of victims on places of illegal detention in Donbas|work=Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights|publisher=[[osce.org]]|date=25 September 2015|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527220432/http://www.osce.org/odihr/185431|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2015, a team led by [[Małgorzata Gosiewska]] published a comprehensive report on war crimes in Donbas.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gosiewska|first=Małgorzata|author-link=Małgorzata Gosiewska|url=http://www.donbasswarcrimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Russian_War_Crimes_in_Eastern_Ukraine_in_2014.pdf|title=Report: Russian War Crimes in Eastern Ukraine in 2014 (First published December 2015)|publisher=donbasswarcrimes.org|date=2 March 2016|access-date=27 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615195424/http://www.donbasswarcrimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Russian_War_Crimes_in_Eastern_Ukraine_in_2014.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Allegations of anti-semitism ===
Alleged members of the [[Donetsk Republic (organization)|Donetsk Republic]] carrying the flag of the Russian Federation,<ref name="usatoday0417">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/17/jews-ordered-to-register-in-east-ukraine/7816951/|title=Jews ordered to register in east Ukraine|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|access-date=17 April 2014|quote="Michael Salberg, director of the international affairs at the New York City-based Anti-Defamation League, said it's unclear if the leaflets were issued by the pro-Russian leadership or a splinter group operating within the pro-Russian camp."|archive-date=17 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417205638/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/17/jews-ordered-to-register-in-east-ukraine/7816951/|url-status=live}}</ref> passed out a leaflet to Jews that informed all Jews over the age of 16 that they would have to report to the ''Commissioner for Nationalities'' in the Donetsk Regional Administration building and register their property and religion. It also claimed that Jews would be charged a $50 'registration fee'.<ref name="Ynet news">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4510688,00.html|title=Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation|work=[[Ynet]]|access-date=16 April 2014|last=Margalit|first=Michal|archive-date=8 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508113401/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4510688,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> If they did not comply, they would have their citizenship revoked, face 'forceful expulsion' and see their assets confiscated. The leaflet stated the purpose of registration was because "Jewish community of Ukraine supported ''[[Stepan Bandera|Bandera]]'' [[Military junta|Junta]]," and "oppose the pro-Slavic People's Republic of Donetsk".<ref name="usatoday0417"/> The authenticity of the [[leaflet (information)|leaflet]] could not be independently verified.<ref name=GianlucaMezzofiore16April2014>{{cite news|last=Mezzofiore|first=Gianluca|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/donetsk-pro-russians-order-jews-register-be-deported-supporting-kiev-rule-1445111|title=Donetsk Pro-Russians Order Jews to 'Register or be Deported' for Supporting Kiev Rule|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]|date=16 April 2014|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416210435/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/donetsk-pro-russians-order-jews-register-be-deported-supporting-kiev-rule-1445111|archive-date=16 April 2014}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[Haaretz]]'', and ''[[The New Republic]]'' said the fliers were "most likely a hoax".<ref name="nyt-downside">{{cite news|last=Nyhan|first=Brendan|author-link=Brendan Nyhan|title=The Downside of Registering Outrage|date=24 April 2014|access-date=9 December 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/upshot/the-downside-of-registering-outrage.html|newspaper=The New York Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512225404/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/24/upshot/the-downside-of-registering-outrage.html?_r=0|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=hareetzfl>{{cite news|title=Flier calling on Donetsk Jews to register now widely seen as fake|access-date=11 May 2014|url=http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-1.586174|newspaper=[[Haaretz]]|archive-date=2 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302055845/http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-1.586174|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=tnrjews>{{cite magazine|title=Relax Ukraine is Not Ordering Its Jews to Register|access-date=11 May 2014|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117415/relax-ukraine-not-ordering-its-jews-register|magazine=New Republic|archive-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510192621/http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117415/relax-ukraine-not-ordering-its-jews-register|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[France 24]] also reported on the questionable authenticity of the leaflets.<ref name=franceasl>{{cite web|title=Ukraine: authenticity of anti-Semitic leaflets under scrutiny in Donetsk|url=http://observers.france24.com/en/20140418-ukraine-authenticity-anti-semitic-leaflets-targeting-jews-donetsk-under-scrutiny|publisher=France 24|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430233211/http://observers.france24.com/content/20140418-ukraine-authenticity-anti-semitic-leaflets-targeting-jews-donetsk-under-scrutiny|archive-date=30 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to [[Efraim Zuroff]] of the [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]], the leaflets looked like some sort of provocation, and an attempt to paint the pro-Russian forces as [[Antisemitism|anti-semitic]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine Leaflets Calling for Jewish Registration 'Were Faked'|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-leaflets-calling-jewish-registration-were-faked-1445383|newspaper=[[International Business Times]]|date=19 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420053811/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-leaflets-calling-jewish-registration-were-faked-1445383|archive-date=20 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The chief rabbi of Donetsk Pinchas Vishedski stated that the flyer was a fake meant to discredit the self-proclaimed republic,<ref name="tg-asf">{{cite news|title=Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax|first=Alec|last=Luhn|access-date=11 May 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/antisemitic-donetsk-peoples-republic-ukraine-hoax|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420015208/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/antisemitic-donetsk-peoples-republic-ukraine-hoax|url-status=dead}}</ref> and saying that anti-Semitic incidents in eastern Ukraine are "rare, unlike in Kyiv and western Ukraine"<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine rabbi seeks end to anti-Semitism row – in vain|first1=Aleksandar|last1=Vasovic|first2=Alastair|last2=MacDonald|date=19 April 2014|access-date=18 May 2014|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-jews-idUSBREA3I0ES20140419?feedType=RSS&feedName=everything&virtualBrandChannel=11563|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519024053/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/19/us-ukraine-crisis-jews-idUSBREA3I0ES20140419?feedType=RSS&feedName=everything&virtualBrandChannel=11563|archive-date=19 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and believes the men were 'trying to use the Jewish community in Donetsk as an instrument in the conflict;'<ref name=vishedski>{{cite news|title=Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/antisemitic-donetsk-peoples-republic-ukraine-hoax|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Alec|last=Luhn|date=18 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419105407/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/18/antisemitic-donetsk-peoples-republic-ukraine-hoax|url-status=dead}}</ref> however, he also called the DPR Press Secretary Aleksander Kriakov "the most famous anti-Semite in the region" and questioned DPR's decision to appoint him.<ref name=dailybeast17>{{cite news|last=Nemtsova|first=Anna|title=Jews in East Ukraine Are Being Threatened, But By Whom?|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/17/jews-in-east-ukraine-are-being-threatened-but-by-whom.html|newspaper=The Daily Beast|date=17 April 2014|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=17 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417214431/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/17/jews-in-east-ukraine-are-being-threatened-but-by-whom.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in [[Donbas]] (Donetsk + Luhansk) (2016)<ref name=Razumkov2016>[http://old.razumkov.org.ua/upload/Religiya_200516_A4.compressed.pdf РЕЛІГІЯ, ЦЕРКВА, СУСПІЛЬСТВО І ДЕРЖАВА: ДВА РОКИ ПІСЛЯ МАЙДАНУ (''Religion, Church, Society and State: Two Years after Maidan'')] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422181327/http://old.razumkov.org.ua/upload/Religiya_200516_A4.compressed.pdf |date=22 April 2017 }}, 2016 report by [[Razumkov Center]] in collaboration with the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches. pp. 27–29.</ref>
|label1 = Not religious, [[agnosticism|agnostics]] and [[atheism|atheists]]
|value1 = 43
|color1 = Honeydew
|label2 = [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodoxy]]
|value2 = 28.9
|color2 = Orchid
|label3 = Simply [[Christianity]]
|value3 = 6.8
|color3 = Turquoise
|label4 = [[Islam]]
|value4 = 3.4
|color4 = Green
|label5 = [[Protestantism]]
|value5 = 1.4
|color5 = DodgerBlue
|label6 = [[Hinduism]]
|value6 = 0.3
|color6 = Orange
|label7 = Other religions
|value7 = 16.1
|color7 = Chartreuse
}}
At first the DPR adopted a constitution which stated that the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] of the Moscow Patriarchate was the official religion of the self-declared state.<ref name=rchurch>{{cite news|last1=Blair |first1=David |title=Beaten and threatened: the 'Donetsk People's Republic' turns on city's priests |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10880652/Beaten-and-threatened-the-Donetsk-Peoples-Republic-turns-on-citys-priests.html |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=18 June 2014 |archive-date=19 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619093823/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10880652/Beaten-and-threatened-the-Donetsk-Peoples-Republic-turns-on-citys-priests.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=afpchrist>{{cite news|last=Miletitch |first=Nicolas |title=Ukraine crisis deepens rift between Orthodox Churches |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-crisis-deepens-rift-between-orthodox-churches-044052410.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606195509/http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-crisis-deepens-rift-between-orthodox-churches-044052410.html|archive-date=6 June 2014 |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=3 June 2014 |access-date=3 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was changed with the promulgation of a law "on freedom of conscience and religious organisation" in November 2015, backed by three deputies professing [[Rodnovery]] (Slavic native faith), whose members organised the [[Separatist forces of the war in Donbas|Svarozhich Battalion]] (of the Vostok Brigade) and the Rusich Company.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pistone|first=Luca|url=https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/paganos-rodnovery-participan-conflicto-ucraniano-143039699.html|title=Paganos de Rodnovery también participan en el conflicto ucraniano|trans-title=Rodnovery Pagans are also involved in the Ukrainian conflict|language=es|publisher=es-us.noticias.yahoo.com|date=15 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210182424/https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/paganos-rodnovery-participan-conflicto-ucraniano-143039699.html|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref><ref>[https://meduza.io/en/feature/2016/03/07/locked-up-in-the-donbas "Locked up in the Donbas A look at the mass arrests and torture of civilians in Donetsk and Lugansk"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012311/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2016/03/07/locked-up-in-the-donbas |date=2 September 2018 }}. Meduza, 7 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2017.</ref> The new law caused the dissatisfaction of Metropolitan Hilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol of the Moscow Patriarchate church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.62.ua/news/1036733/doneckij-mitropolit-nedovolen-zakonom-dnr-o-svobode-sovesti|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210182917/http://www.62.ua/news/1036733|url-status=dead|title=Донецкий митрополит недоволен "законом ДНР" "О свободе совести"|archivedate=10 December 2015|website=62.ua – Сайт города Донецка}}</ref>

Donetsk separatists consider Christian denominations such as the [[Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate]], [[Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church]], [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]] and wider [[Roman Catholic Church]], and [[Protestantism]], as all being anti-Russian and see them as obstacles in the path of the separatist goal of uniting the region with Russia.<ref name=afpchrist/>

=== Romani people ===
Hundreds of Romani families fled Donbas in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukrainian Roma: The government treats us like stepchildren |date=13 June 2014 |url=http://www.romea.cz/en/news/world/ukrainian-roma-the-government-treats-us-like-stepchildren |publisher=Romea.cz |access-date=13 July 2014 |archive-date=17 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417100748/http://www.romea.cz/en/news/world/ukrainian-roma-the-government-treats-us-like-stepchildren |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''News of Donbas'' reported that members of the [[Donbas People's Militia]] engaged in assaults and robbery on the [[Romani people|Romani]] (also known as gypsies) population of [[Sloviansk]]. The armed separatists beat women and children, looted homes, and carried off the stolen goods in trucks, according to eyewitnesses.<ref name=roma2>{{cite news|title=Pro-Russian Separatists Loot, Assault Romani in Sloviansk|url=http://ukrainianpolicy.com/pro-russian-separatists-loot-assault-romani-in-sloviansk/|newspaper=[[Ukrainian Policy]]|date=19 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=22 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422030418/http://ukrainianpolicy.com/pro-russian-separatists-loot-assault-romani-in-sloviansk/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=May 2014}}<ref name=osceroma/><ref name=romani1/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/910549-v-slavyanske-snova-ustroili-romskiy-pogrom.html|title=В Славянске снова устроили ромский погром|trans-title=Another pogrom against the gypsies occurred in Sloviansk|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=23 March 2014|access-date=23 April 2014|archive-date=23 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423225928/http://www.unian.net/politics/910549-v-slavyanske-snova-ustroili-romskiy-pogrom.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Romani fled en masse to live with relatives in other parts of the country, fearing ethnic cleansing, displacement and murder. Some men who decided to remain formed militia groups to protect their families and homes.<ref name=romani1>{{cite web|url=http://www.romea.cz/en/features-and-commentary/reportage/russia-and-fascism-when-the-thief-cries-stop-thief#.U2PLXTpcf1s.facebook|title=Russia and Fascism: When the thief cries "Stop thief!"|publisher=Romea.cz|date=30 April 2014|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=4 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504052223/http://www.romea.cz/en/features-and-commentary/reportage/russia-and-fascism-when-the-thief-cries-stop-thief#.U2PLXTpcf1s.facebook|url-status=live}}</ref> DPR Mayor Ponomarev said the attacks were only against gypsies who were involved in drug trafficking, and that he was 'cleaning the city from drugs.'<ref>{{cite news|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/223263/|script-title=ru:Сепаратисты объяснили погромы ромов в Славянске|trans-title=Separatists explained the gypsy pogroms in Sloviansk|publisher=[[Novosti Donetsk]]|language=ru|date=20 April 2014|access-date=20 April 2014|archive-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421050956/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/223263/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[United States Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe|US mission to the OSCE]] and Ukrainian Prime Minister [[Yatsenyuk]] condemned these actions.<ref name=roma2/><ref name=osceroma>{{cite news|title=Statement of Concern Regarding Attacks on gypsies in Ukraine |url=http://osce.usmission.gov/may_8_14_ukraine_roma.html |newspaper=USOSCE |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=9 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231031/http://osce.usmission.gov/may_8_14_ukraine_roma.html |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=roma1>{{cite news|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/909791-yatsenyuk-poruchil-privlekat-k-otvetstvennosti-za-rasprostranenie-antisemitizma-i-ksenofobii.html|script-title=ru:Яценюк поручил привлекать к ответственности за распространение антисемитизма и ксенофобии|trans-title=Yatsenyuk orders prosecutions of those spreading anti-Semitism and xenophobia|language=ru|date=19 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420022602/http://www.unian.net/politics/909791-yatsenyuk-poruchil-privlekat-k-otvetstvennosti-za-rasprostranenie-antisemitizma-i-ksenofobii.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===LGBT community===
{{Broader|LGBT people in the Russo-Ukrainian War}}
On 8 June 2014, it was reported that armed militants from the Donetsk Republic attacked a gay club in the capital of Donetsk, injuring several. Witnesses said 20 people forced their way into the club, stealing jewellery and other valuables; the assailants fired shots in the club, and several people were hurt.<ref>{{cite news|date=10 June 2014|access-date=12 June 2014|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/video-2/ukraine-news-one-donetsk-gay-club-attacked-by-separatists-video-351341.html|title=Ukraine News One: Donetsk gay club attacked by separatists (VIDEO)|newspaper=Kyiv Post|archive-date=10 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610161831/http://www.kyivpost.com/multimedia/video-2/ukraine-news-one-donetsk-gay-club-attacked-by-separatists-video-351341.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 2015, a DPR Ministry of Information spokesperson stated "there are no gays in Donetsk, as they all went to [[Kyiv]]".<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/gays-in-donetsk-face-fear-as-russian-influence-takes-grip-394704.html Gays in Donetsk face fear as Russian influence takes grip] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801001108/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/gays-in-donetsk-face-fear-as-russian-influence-takes-grip-394704.html |date=1 August 2015 }}, ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' (31 July 2015)</ref> In 2015, the Deputy Minister of Political Affairs of the Donetsk People's Republic stated: "A culture of homosexuality is spreading{{nbsp}}... This is why we must kill anyone who is involved in this."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://adcmemorial.org/wp-content/uploads/lgbtENG_fullwww.pdf|title=Violation of LGBTI Rights in Crimea and Donbass: The Problem of Homophobia in Territories Beyond Ukraine's Control|publisher=Center for Civil Liberties|year=2016|access-date=6 July 2019|page=24|archive-date=6 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706094703/https://adcmemorial.org/wp-content/uploads/lgbtENG_fullwww.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Prejudice against Ukrainian speakers===
On 18 April 2014, Vyacheslav Ponomarev asked local residents of [[Sloviansk]] to report all suspicious persons, especially if they were speaking Ukrainian. He also promised that the local media would publish a phone number to report them.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/909679-separatistyi-v-slavyanske-obyyavili-ohotu-na-ukrainoyazyichnyih-smi.html|title=Сепаратисты в Славянске объявили "охоту" на украиноязычных – СМИ|trans-title=Sloviansk separatists declared a "hunt" for people speaking the Ukrainian language|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|date=18 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421015338/http://www.unian.net/politics/909679-separatistyi-v-slavyanske-obyyavili-ohotu-na-ukrainoyazyichnyih-smi.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

An 18 November 2014 [[United Nations]] report on [[eastern Ukraine]] stated that the DPR violated the rights of Ukrainian-speaking children because schools in rebel-controlled areas teach only in Russian and forbid pupils to speak Ukrainian.<ref name=UNREU201114/> In its May 2014 constitution, the DPR regime declared Russian and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] its official languages.<ref name="URSDDPR"/> However, in March 2020, [[Russian language|Russian]] was declared to be the sole official language of the DPR.<ref name="2020/03/06/russkij"/>

=== Abductions ===
{{Main|Izolyatsia prison}}
The [[Committee to Protect Journalists]] said that separatists had seized up to ten foreign reporters during the week following the [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17|shooting down of the Malaysian aircraft]].<ref name=CNN140724/> On 22 July 2014, armed men from the DPR abducted Ukrainian freelance journalist Anton Skiba as he arrived with a [[CNN]] crew at a hotel in [[Donetsk]].<ref name=CNN140724>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/24/world/europe/ukraine-cnn-fixer-abducted/|title=Journalist working for CNN detained in Ukraine|first1=Ivan|last1=Watson|first2=Ingrid|last2=Formanek|publisher=CNN|date=24 July 2014|access-date=26 July 2014|archive-date=26 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726205718/http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/24/world/europe/ukraine-cnn-fixer-abducted|url-status=live}}</ref> The DPR often counters such accusations by pointing towards non-governmental organisations, such as [[Amnesty International]]'s reporting that pro-Ukrainian volunteer paramilitary battalions, such as the [[Aidar Battalion]], [[Donbas Battalion]], [[Azov Battalion]] often acted like "renegade gangs", and were implicated in torture, abductions, and summary executions.<ref name="AI24DEC"/><ref name="AMmouade">{{cite press release | url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/ukraine-mounting-evidence-of-war-crimes-and-russian-involvement | title=Ukraine: Mounting evidence of war crimes and Russian involvement | publisher=Amnesty International | date=5 September 2014 | access-date=3 January 2015 | archive-date=4 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104000714/http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/ukraine-mounting-evidence-of-war-crimes-and-russian-involvement | url-status=live }}</ref> Amnesty International and the (OHCHR) also raised similar concerns about [[Radical Party of Oleh Lyashko|Radical Party]] leader and Ukrainian MP [[Oleh Lyashko]] and his militia.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/impunity-reigns-for-abductions-and-ill-treatment-by-pro-kyiv-vigilantes-in-eastern-ukraine | title=Impunity reigns for abductions and ill-treatment by pro-Kyiv vigilantes in eastern Ukraine | publisher=Amnesty International | date=6 August 2014 | access-date=9 August 2014 | archive-date=10 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810071542/http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/impunity-reigns-for-abductions-and-ill-treatment-by-pro-kyiv-vigilantes-in-eastern-ukraine | url-status=live }}</ref>

Donetsk has also observed significant rise in violent crime (homicide, rape, including underage victims) under the control of separatist forces.<ref>{{cite news|title = Robbery, rape and murder: Life in occupied Ukraine becomes a nightmare|url = http://uatoday.tv/crime/robbery-rape-and-murder-life-in-occupied-ukraine-becomes-a-nightmare-447846.html|agency=[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]]|access-date = 30 June 2015|archive-date = 4 July 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150704014645/http://uatoday.tv/crime/robbery-rape-and-murder-life-in-occupied-ukraine-becomes-a-nightmare-447846.html|url-status = live}}{{better source needed|date=February 2022}}</ref> In July 2015 local authorities of Druzhkovka, previously occupied by separatist forces, exposed a previous torture site in one of the town's cellars.<ref>{{cite web|title = Ужасные кадры из пыточной террористов в Дружковке (ВИДЕО)|url = http://bbcccnn.com.ua/archives/7932|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150709005411/http://bbcccnn.com.ua/archives/7932|archive-date = 9 July 2015|access-date = 9 July 2015}}</ref>

On 2 June 2017 the freelance journalist [[Stanislav Aseyev]] was abducted. Firstly the DPR "government" denied knowing his whereabouts but on 16 July, an agent of the DPR's Ministry of State Security confirmed that Aseyev was in their custody and that he was suspected of espionage. Independent media is not allowed to report from the DPR-controlled territory.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2017-07/FI16017_2.pdf?TRhWAnU9V9A389Kj6RGAvval.yqFVY_j | title=Urgent Action: Imprisoned Journalist Must Be Released | publisher=Amnesty International | date=21 July 2017 | access-date=10 February 2018 | archive-date=8 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908131138/https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/2017-07/FI16017_2.pdf?TRhWAnU9V9A389Kj6RGAvval.yqFVY_j | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Amnesty International]], the [[Committee to Protect Journalists]], the [[European Federation of Journalists]], [[Human Rights Watch]], the [[Norwegian Helsinki Committee]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]], [[PEN International]], [[Reporters Without Borders]] and the [[United States Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]] have called for the immediate release of Aseyev.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/383217 | title=OSCE Representative calls for immediate release of Donetsk journalist Stanislav Aseev one year after his illegal detention | publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | date=1 June 2018 | access-date=3 September 2018 | archive-date=26 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326122433/https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/383217 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The land of Stas|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/journalists-activists-urge-ukraine-separatists-to-released-detained-reporter/29654134.html|newspaper=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]|date=13 December 2018 |access-date=13 December 2018|archive-date=13 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213121800/https://www.rferl.org/a/journalists-activists-urge-ukraine-separatists-to-released-detained-reporter/29654134.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://europeanjournalists.org/blog/2018/08/20/efj-calls-again-for-immediate-release-of-donetsk-journalist-stanislav-aseev/|title=EFJ calls again for immediate release of Donetsk journalist Stanislav Aseev|date=21 August 2018|publisher=[[European Federation of Journalists]]|access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013174142/https://europeanjournalists.org/blog/2018/08/20/efj-calls-again-for-immediate-release-of-donetsk-journalist-stanislav-aseev/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/ru/news/2017/07/18/306785|title=Украина: Блогер удерживается про-российскими сепаратистами|date=18 July 2017|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|access-date=3 September 2018|language=ru|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411005755/https://www.hrw.org/ru/news/2017/07/18/306785|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pen.org/press-release/stanislav-aseyevs-detention-aproaches-two-year-mark-amid-global-pleas-for-his-release/|title=STANISLAV ASEYEV'S DETENTION APPROACHES TWO-YEAR MARK AMID GLOBAL PLEAS FOR HIS RELEASE|date=31 May 2019|publisher=[[PEN America]]|access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602203055/https://pen.org/press-release/stanislav-aseyevs-detention-aproaches-two-year-mark-amid-global-pleas-for-his-release/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2793353-us-at-osce-urge-to-release-stanislav-aseyev-and-other-imprisoned-ukrainians.html|title=US at OSCE urges to release Stanislav Aseyev and other imprisoned Ukrainians|date=4 October 2019|agency=[[Ukrinform]]|access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=5 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005015701/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2793353-us-at-osce-urge-to-release-stanislav-aseyev-and-other-imprisoned-ukrainians.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was released as part of a prison exchange and handed over to Ukrainian authorities on 29 December 2019.<ref>{{cite news | title=For a Ukrainian Journalist, War Evokes Scars From Captivity | website=The New York Times | date=2022-04-08 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/08/world/europe/stanislav-aseyev-ukraine-russia.html | access-date=2022-04-23}}</ref>

Sergey Zdrilyuk ("Abwehr"), former deputy of DPR militia, confirmed in 2020 that [[Igor Strelkov (officer)|Igor Girkin]] personally executed [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] he considered "traitors" or "spies".<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> This statement was first made in Girkin's interview earlier that year, although Girkin insisted the executions were part of his "military tribunal based on laws of war". Girkin also confessed that he was involved in the murder of [[Volodymyr Ivanovych Rybak]], a representative of [[Horlivka]] who was abducted on 17 April 2014 after trying to raise a Ukrainian flag: "Naturally, Rybak, as a person who actively opposed the "militias", was an enemy in my eyes. And his death, probably, is to some extent also under my responsibility".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gordonua.com/news/war/girkin-priznalsya-v-ubiystve-troih-ukraincev-1500414.html |title=Гиркин признался в убийстве трех украинцев |work=gordonua.com |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=27 May 2020 |archive-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527194209/https://gordonua.com/news/war/girkin-priznalsya-v-ubiystve-troih-ukraincev-1500414.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Forced Passportization ===
{{Main|Russification of Ukraine}}
According to a US study, Ukrainians in occupied territories who refuse Russian passports face threats, intimidation and possible detention or deportation.<ref name="Sullivan 2023 a352">{{cite web | last=Sullivan | first=Helen | title=Russia 'systematically' forcing Ukrainians to accept citizenship, US report finds | website=the Guardian | date=2023-08-03 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/03/russia-forcing-ukrainian-passports-us-report | access-date=2023-08-03}}</ref><ref name="Conflict Observatory Publication Portal Redirection 2023 o252">{{cite web | website=Conflict Observatory Publication Portal Redirection | date=2023-05-25 | url=https://hub.conflictobservatory.org/portal/apps/sites/#/home/pages/passport-1 | access-date=2023-08-03}}</ref> In April 2022, Russia adopted a law that allows authorities to detain or deport residents without Russian passports. Starting July 2024, residents without Russian citizenship would be considered "foreigners" or "stateless". In June 2023, the head of the so-called "Donetsk People’s Republic" announced a planning group to study facilities for detaining residents without Russian passports for deportation.<ref name="Sullivan 2023 a352" />

==Education==
{{See also|Education in Ukraine|Language policy in Ukraine}}
By the start of the 2015–2016 school-year DPR's authorities had overhauled the [[curriculum]].<ref name="Rebel-held Ukraine education system"/> [[Ukrainian language]] lessons were decreased from around eight hours a week to two hours; while the time devoted to [[Russian language]] and [[Russian literature|literature]] lessons were increased.<ref name="Rebel-held Ukraine education system"/> The history classes were changed to give greater emphasis to the history of Donbas.<ref name="Rebel-held Ukraine education system"/> The grading system was changed from (Ukraine's) 12-point scheme to the five-point grading system that is also used in Russia.<ref name="Rebel-held Ukraine education system"/> According to the director of a college in Donetsk "We give students the choice between the two but the Russian one is taken into greater account".<ref name="Rebel-held Ukraine education system"/> School graduates will receive a Russian certificate, allowing them to enter both local universities and [[List of institutions of higher learning in Russia|institutions in Russia]].<ref name="Rebel-held Ukraine education system">{{cite news|last=Losh|first=Jack|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/16/ukraine-rebel-territories-education-system-overhaul-russia|title=Rebel-held Ukraine overhauls education system as it aligns itself with Russia|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 August 2015|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816221556/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/16/ukraine-rebel-territories-education-system-overhaul-russia|archive-date=16 August 2015}}</ref>

In April 2016 DPR authorities designed "statehood awareness lessons" were introduced in schools (in territory controlled by them).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.info/society/1313595-self-proclaimed-donetsk-republic-introduces-statehood-lessons-at-schools.html|title=Self-proclaimed Donetsk republic introduces 'statehood lessons' at schools|agency=[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]]|date=8 April 2016|access-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411044255/http://www.unian.info/society/1313595-self-proclaimed-donetsk-republic-introduces-statehood-lessons-at-schools.html|archive-date=11 April 2016}}</ref>

[[File:2016-05-09. День Победы в Донецке 093.jpg|thumb|Residents of Donetsk carry [[Immortal Regiment|portraits of ancestors]] who fought in [[World War II]], 9 May 2016]]

== Territorial control ==
{{Excerpt|Control of cities during the Russo-Ukrainian War|Donetsk Oblast|templates=.*|bold=yes|only=table}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Donetsk People's Republic}}
* {{Official website|https://dnronline.su/}}

{{Subdivisions of Russia}}
{{2014 pro-Russian conflict in Ukraine}}
{{Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
{{Ethnic nationalism}}
{{Stateless nationalism in Europe}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Donetsk People's Republic| ]]
[[Category:Donetsk Oblast in the Russo-Ukrainian War]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Russian-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Separatism in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Russian irredentism]]
[[Category:Russification]]
[[Category:Russian occupation of Ukraine]]
[[Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Ukraine]]
[[Category:Novorossiya (confederation)]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 2014]]
[[Category:War in Donbas]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes of Ukraine]]
[[Category:Republics]]
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