Donetsk People's Republic: Difference between revisions

Donetsk People's Republic
Донецкая Народная Республика (Russian)
*Donetskaya Narodnaya Respublika*
Донецька Народна Республіка (Ukrainian)
*Donets'ka Narodna Respublika*
Donetsk People's Republic Донецкая Народная Республика (Russian); Donetskaya Narodnaya Respublika; Донецька Народна Республіка (Ukrainian); Donets'ka Narodna Respublika;
	Flag of the Donetsk People's Republic Coat of arms
Capital and largest city	Donetsk
Official languages	Russian ; Ukrainian
Ethnic groups	Russians; Ukrainians;
Religion	Russian Orthodox (official)
Government
• People's Governor	Pavel Gubarev
• Chairman of the Council	Denis Pushilin
• Prime Minister	Alexander Boroday
• Supreme Commander	Igor Girkin
Legislature	Supreme Council of the Donetsk People's Republic
Independence from Ukraine
• Declared	7 April 2014
• Referendum	11 May 2014
• Referendum ratified	12 May 2014
• Agreement to form a confederation with the Lugansk People's Republic signed	24 May 2014
Currency	Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)

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The Donetsk People's Republic (Template:Lang-ru, Donétskaya naródnaya respúblika, Template:Lang-uk, Donets'ka narodna respublika) is an unrecognized state^{[citation needed]} in eastern Ukraine and part of the self-proclaimed Federal State of Novorossiya. It shares a border with Russia and the Lugansk People's Republic,^[8]^[9] declared on 7 April 2014 by a number of activists who at the time occupied the Regional Administration and the City Hall buildings in Donetsk.^[10]^[11]^[12] Occupation of government buildings then spread to other cities in the region.^[13] The authority of the self-declared nation initially did not extend significantly beyond the occupied administration buildings and armed checkpoints,^[14] and outside of cities and in smaller towns control is uncertain.^[15]

The self-proclaimed state's activities are headed by the Donetsk Republic organization, a group which has been banned in Ukraine since 2007, and as of 16 May 2014 the Republic as a whole has been classified as a terrorist organization by the state.^[16] To date, the Donetsk People's Republic has not been recognized by any foreign country.^[17]

On 15 April, the interim government in Kiev announced 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 defuse the Ukraine crisis.^[18]^[19] However, officials of the People's Republic ignored the agreement and vowed to continue their occupations until a referendum is accepted or the interim government in Kiev resigns.^[20] Since the agreement, the Security Service of Ukraine continues to detain Russians entering the country with large amounts of money and military gear.^[21]

On 11 May, status referendums were held in Donetsk and Lugansk, where separatist leaders declared that a vast majority of participants voted in support of the establishment of the People's Republics.^[22] On 24 May, the two separatist republics signed an agreement confirming their merger into a confederation called the Federal State of Novorossiya.^[7]

Background

According to Lucian Kim of Slate, " ... the Maidan protest, characterized by the Kremlin as a Western-sponsored armed coup, is being crudely imitated in towns across the Donetsk region. “If the guys on the Maidan could revolt, why can’t we?” has been the pro-Russian supporters’ motto ... ".^[23]

Similar attempts to seize the Regional State Administration (RSA) building have been occurring since pro-Russian protests began in the Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine in the wake of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. Pro-Russian protesters previously occupied the Donetsk RSA from 1 to 6 March, before being removed by the Security Service of Ukraine.^[24]^[25] According to Ukrainian authorities the seizure of RSA's are part of "a script which has been written in the Russian Federation" to destabilize Ukraine and bring in Russian troops executed by "about 1,500 radicals in each region who spoke with clear Russian accents".^[26]

Public opinion

In a poll conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in the first half of February 2014, 33.2% of polled in Donetsk Oblast believed "Ukraine and Russia must unite into a single state".^[27]

According to a poll conducted by the Institute of Social Research and Policy Analysis, 66% of Donetsk residents view their future in a united Ukraine, 4.7% support separatism, while 18.2% support joining Russia, while 31.6% wanted a united Ukraine with expansion of autonomy for Donetsk region, with only 18.6% in support of current status^[28] A second poll conducted 26–29 March showed that 77% of residents condemned the takeover of administrative buildings, while 16% support such actions. Furthermore, 40.8% of Donetsk citizens support rallies for Ukraine's unity, while 26.5% support rallies which are pro-Russia.^[29]

While support for regional independence is low, only a third of polled Donetsk inhabitants identified themselves as "citizens of Ukraine", preferring instead "Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine" or "residents of Donbass".^[30]

The New York Times stated on 11 April 2014 that many locals consider it a 'crackpot project'.^[17]

The Kiev International Institute of Sociology released a second study with polling data taken from 8–16 April. 18.1% of Donetsk oblast residents support the recent armed seizures of administrative buildings in the region, while 72% disapprove of the current actions. Roughly 25% in the Donbas region said they would attend secessionist rallies in favor of joining Russia. Most in Donetsk believe that the disarmament and disbanding of illegal radical groups is crucial to preserving national unity. 12.4% are in favor of Ukraine and Russia uniting into a single state, ; 27.5% in Donetsk were in favor of regional secession from Ukraine to join Russia, 38.4% support federalization, 41.1% support a unitary Ukraine with decentralization of power and broadening of rights of regions, and 10.6% support the current unitary state.^[31]^[32]

Demands

According to the Kyiv Post, a number of militants in standoff with police in Mariupol demand the abolition of biometric passports and an end to vaccinations.^[21]

11 May autonomy referendum

On 7 May, separatist rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk said that they will proceed with the referendum that will be held 11 May, disregarding Vladimir Putin's appeal to delay it.^[33] "The referendum will take place as planned. The ballots have been already arrived at the polling stations," said Vasily Nikitin, from the press service which is organizing the referendum in Luhansk.^[34]

The referendum organizers claimed that 89% voted in favor of self-rule, with 10% against, on a turnout of nearly 75%. The results of the referendums were not officially recognised by any government, including those of Ukraine, the United States, the countries of the European Union, and Russia.^[35] Germany and the United States stated that the referendums had "no democratic legitimacy",^[36]^[37] while the Russian government expressed "respect" for the results and urged a "civilised" implementation.^[38]^[39]

On the day after the referendum, the Republic's council proclaimed Donetsk to be a sovereign state and "ask[ed] Russia to consider the issue of our republic's accession into the Russian Federation."^[40] It also announced that it will not participate in the presidential election to take place on 25 May. In response, "the Kremlin called for dialogue between the government in Kiev and the south-east regions of the country, suggesting that a Crimea-style annexation of the region for Moscow is not on the cards."^[41]

History

Foundations

On Sunday, 6 April 2014, between 1,000 and 2,000^[12] pro-Russia protesters attended a rally in Donetsk pushing for a Crimea-style referendum on independence from Ukraine.^[42] The proposed referendum has no status-quo option.^[43] After which, 200 separatists (according to Igor Dyomin, a spokesman for Donetsk local police, about 1,000^[12]) pro-Russian protesters stormed and took control of the first two floors of the building, breaking down doors and smashing windows. The administration headquarters were empty, with only guards inside, as government officials would not work there on Sundays.^[42] The separatists demanded that if an extraordinary session was not held by officials, announcing a referendum to join Russia, they would declare unilateral control by forming a "People's Mandate" at noon on 7 April, and dismiss all elected council members and MPs.^[44]^[45]^[46] The people who voted within the RSA were not elected to the positions they assumed.^[47] According to the Russian ITAR-TASS the declaration was voted by some regional legislators, however there are claims that neither the Donetsk city council nor district councils of the city delegated any representatives to the session.^[48]^[49]

On 6 April, the group's leaders announced that a referendum, on whether Donetsk Oblast should "join the Russian Federation", would take place "no later than 11 May 2014."^[50]^[51] Additionally, the group's leaders have appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to send Russian peacekeeping forces to the region.^[50]^[51]^[52]

On the morning of 8 April, the 'Patriotic Forces of Donbass', a pro-Kiev group unrelated to Donetsk Republic organization who proclaimed independence and seized the council,^[53] issued a statement on its Facebook page against the other group's declaration of independence, citing complaints from locals.^[54]^[55]^[56] Their announcement stated that they would quash the potential state's establishment, cancel the referendum, and, on their part, stated that the declaration is illegal.^[54] Protesters reportedly gave up some weapons too.^[56] Despite this, the Donetsk Republic organization continued to occupy the RSA and declared themselves the legitimate authority, and upheld all previous calls for a referendum and the release of their leader Pavel Gubarev.^[57]^[b] In the afternoon of 8 April, about a thousand people rallied in front of the RSA listening to speeches about the Donetsk People's Republic and to Soviet and Russian music.^[58]

According to an article from the Kyiv Post on 10 April, most of the protesters are 50 years or older, while inside the RSA building, many of the occupiers are younger but from other cities like Mariupol, Kherson and Mykolaiv. The occupiers include both men and women.^[43] Numerous Russian citizens, including leaders of various far-right militant groups, have also taken part in the events.^[59] The OSCE reported that all the main institutions of the city observed by the Monitoring Team seemed to be working normally as of 16 April.^[60] On 22 April, separatists agreed to release the session hall of the building along with two floors to state officials.^[61] The 9th and 10th floors were later released on 24 April.^[62]

On the second day of the Republic, organizers decided to pour all of their alcohol out and announce a prohibition law after issues arose due to excess drinking in the building.^[63]

On 22 April, separatists agreed to release the session hall of the building along with two floors to state officials.^[61]

On 30 April, Donetsk Republic chairman Pushilin flew to Moscow and held a press conference.^[64]

On 7 May, Russian president Vladimir Putin publicly asked pro-Russian separatists to postpone the proposed referendum in order to create the necessary conditions for dialogue. Despite Putin's comments, pro-Russia militants calling themselves the Donetsk People's Republic said they would still carry out the referendum.^[65] The same day, Ukraine's security service (SBU) released an audio recording of a phone call between a Donetsk separatist leader and the leader of the neo-Nazi paramilitary group Russian National Unity Alexander Barkashov. In the call, the voice said to be Barkashov insists on falsifying the results of the referendum, that he had communicated with Putin, and that it cannot be postponed.^[66] Yuri Vendik of the BBC noted that a 5 May post on Barkashov's social media page recounted a phone call from "our brothers and comrades-in-arms in Donetsk" that sounds exactly like the SBU intercept. Barkashov later confirmed that he was in Donetsk during the alleged taping, and has stated his group is organizing volunteer troops to fight "the vicious Kiev junta."^[67]

Ukrainian authorities released separatist leader Pavel Gubarev and two others in exchange for three hostages being held by the Donetsk Republic.^[68]

Ethnic, religious, and other prejudice

Anti-semitism

On Passover eve, alleged members of the Donetsk Republic,^[69] carrying the flag of the Russian Federation, 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'.^[70] If they did not comply, they would have their citizenship revoked, face 'forceful expulsion' and see their assets confiscated.^[71] The leaflet stated the purpose of registration was because "Jewish community of Ukraine supported Bendera Junta," and "oppose the pro-Slavic People's Republic of Donetsk."^[69] The incident was reported by Jewish community members,^[72] and security at the synagogue confirmed that the men returned again on 16 April to further press their point.^[73]

The authenticity of the leaflet could not be independently verified.^[74] On the New York Times, Brendan Nyhan described the fliers as "most likely a hoax" and referred to the media coverage of an "apparently bogus story".^[75] 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 anti-semitic.^[76] The chief rabbi of Donetsk stated that the flyer was a fake meant to discredit the self-proclaimed republic,^[77] and saying that anti-Semitic incidents in eastern Ukraine are "rare, unlike in Kiev and western Ukraine".^[78] France 24 also reported on the questionable authenticity of the leaflets.^[79] The Israeli newspaper Haaretz noted in its headline that the flier was "now widely seen as fake".^[80] On The New Republic, Julia Ioffe also dismissed this as "a provocation", noting that it was likely to be a "tactic to smear the so-called anti-Maidan" movement.^[81]

Donetsk People's Republic chairman Denis Pushilin initially confirmed that the flyers were distributed by his organization, but denied any connection to the leaflet's content.^[70] Pushilin later denied at a press conference that the DPR had anything to do with the flyer, calling it provocation and a "complete lie".^[82]

According to Donetsk city chief rabbi Pinchas Vishedski, the press secretary of the self-proclaimed republic, Aleksander Kriakov, is "the most famous anti-Semite in the region,"^[83] and believes the men were 'trying to use the Jewish community in Donetsk as an instrument in the conflict.'^[72]

According to Michael Salberg, director of the international affairs at the New York City-based Anti-Defamation League, it is currently unclear if the leaflets were issued by the pro-Russian leadership or a splinter group operating within the pro-Russian camp or someone else.^[69] National Post reported: "Jewish leaders in the city have said they see the incident as a provocation, rather than a real threat to their community of about 17,000 people."^[84]

Ukraine's Security Service announced it had launched an investigation on the matter.^[85]

On 17 April pro-Russian separatists aided by Russian military specialists seized a TV tower providing signal to cities in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian channels were removed from air, with 'Russian propaganda channels given the frequencies'. On 20 April, which the Euro-Asian Congress noted was Adolf Hitler's birthday, activists boasted about their imminent "victory" in anti-Semitic terms. "Here, from Sloviansk, we are inflicting a powerful information conceptual blow to the biblical matrix...to Zionist zombie broadcasting." They then presented a lecture by former Russian Conceptual Party Unity leader Konstantin Petrov, who the EAJC described as a "anti-Semitic neo-pagan national-Stalinist sect".^[86]

Attacks on Christians

The Donetsk People's Republic has adopted a "constitution" which states that the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is the official religion of the self declared state.^[87]^[1] Donetsk separatists consider Christian denominations such as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Roman Catholics, and Protestants, as anti-Russian and see them as obstacles in the path of the separatist goal of uniting the region with Russia.^[87]

According to Bishop Jan Sobil, in Kramatorsk a Catholic chapel was fired upon and parishioners, who have received threats from the pro-Russian separatists, are afraid to attend worship services. The separatists have also published the address of the church and of its priest on social networking side in an attempt at intimidation.^[87] Father Tikhon Kulbaka of a Ukrainian Catholic Church states his church received a stream of threats from separatists.^[1] Another Catholic priest, Pawel Witek, was kidnapped for a day where he was interrogated and accused of being a "Polish sniper" sent by the Polish government.^[87]^[1] Members of a Gospel Church were forcibly dispersed at gunpoint by Donetsk insurgents on 23 May.^[1] A Protestant clergyman Sergiy Koysak was held at the RSA building in Donetsk and interrogated, threatened, and beaten in a room marked "NKVD" for several hours by five men and one woman with clubs, batons, and whips. His injuries included a brain concussion. Koysak stated that "religious intolerance is on the rise" and believed his religion was a motivating factor of the attack.^[87]^[1]

Patriarch Filaret also spoke about "numerous death threats against the Kiev Patriarchate clergy and believers" in the Donetsk areas controlled by the rebels.^[87]

Metropolitan of Donetsk and Mariupol, Illarion, has refused to take sides in the conflict.^[87]

Attacks on Romani (Gypsies)

The News of Donbass reported that members of the Donbass People's Militia engaged in assaults and robbery on the Romani (Roma/Gypsy) population of Sloviansk. The armed separatists beat women and children, looted homes, and carried off the stolen goods in trucks, according to eyewitnesses.^[88]^[89]

"They drove up in several cars and they had automatic weapons and pistols. They began shooting at the windows and they shot the locks off the doors, burst inside and started beating everyone - children, the elderly, men and women," Natalia Vorokuta, a member of a Romani women's cultural outreach group, told Romea.cz in describing events in Sloviansk. "They had to stand with their faces to the wall while the men threatened them and yelled that they had to immediately give them everything they have: Arms, drugs, gold and money. They threw everything they looted and stole into the vans and drove off," Vorokuta said, adding that the pogrom had an 'obviously racial subtext'.^[90]

On 23 April, more attacks on Romani were reported in Sloviansk, including a man shot in the leg.^[91]

The militants claimed they were acting on orders from 'People's Mayor' and militant leader Vyacheslav Ponomarev.^[88]^[92] Reports of the attacks were confirmed by Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, as well as a heightened level of xenophobic rhetoric at separatist rallies.^[93] Ponomarev confirmed the attacks and said that they were only against Romani he alleged were involved in drug trafficking, and that he was 'cleaning the city from drugs.'^[94]

The European Roma Rights Center reported that on 29 April in Slovyansk a Romani man was shot while trying to defend his home and remains in serious condition.^[89]

In Sloviansk, Romani have since fled en masse to live with relatives in other parts of the country, fearing ethnic cleansing, displacement and murder. Some men who have decided to remain are forming militia groups to protect their families and homes.^[90]

On 9 May the US mission to the OSCE condemned credible reports of pro-Russian groups establishing "a disturbing and ongoing pattern of anti-Roma violence." The organization called on Russia "to use its influence with pro-Russia separatist groups to cease their destabilizing activity that could be perceived as enabling violence and intimidation targeted at Roma."^[89]

Attacks on homosexuals

On 10 June 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, shooting male and female visitors.^[95]

Prejudice against Ukrainians

Ponomarev announced on 18 April a "hunt" on the Ukrainian speaking population of Donetsk region, telling militants to report suspicious activity, especially if they overheard use of the Ukrainian language.^[96] Material inciting ethnic hatred towards Ukrainians was also found near the Regional State Administration (including posters about the "horrors and atrocities of Euromaidan and Bandera").^[93]

Yatsenyuk said that the government will not tolerate incitement of ethnic hatred and will take all legal measures to prevent the import into Ukraine of anti-Semitism and xenophobia. The Prime Minister has instructed law enforcement agencies to identify those distributing hateful material and bring them to justice, as well as those involved in the attacks on Romani.^[88]^[93]

Expansion of territorial control

An insurgency expanding the control of the Donetsk People's Republic has spread throughout Donetsk Oblast.

Leadership

The pro-Russian separatist activities are headed by the Donetsk Republic organization, a group which has been banned in Ukraine since 2007. The group's leader, Andrei Purgin, was arrested weeks prior on charges of separatism.^[97] The political leader of the state is the self-declared People's Governor Pavel Gubarev,^[2]^[98] a former member of the neo-Nazi Russian National Unity paramilitary group and former Communist Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine,^[99]^[100]^[101]^[102] who was also arrested on charges of separatism and illegal seizure of power but released in a hostage swap.^[103]^[104] Denis Pushilin is the chairman of the government,^[4]^[5] while Igor Kakidzyanov has been named as the commander of the "People's Army".^[105] Alexander Borodai, a Russian citizen claiming to be involved in the Russian annexation of Crimea, was appointed as 'Prime Minister'.

Donetsk People's Council was formed out of protesters who occupied the building of the Donetsk Regional Council on 6 April 2014.^[44]^[45]^[106]

Ukrainian presidential candidate Oleg Tsarov, who had recently been kicked out of the Party of Regions, traveled to Donetsk and said he was ready to become a leader of what he called the "South-east movement". Tsarov also assured separatists in Donetsk that will do everything to disrupt the presidential elections, which are scheduled for 25 May. "I'm sure that will be no elections," he said. He then promised that he would create a "central authority" within the center of Donetsk.^[107] Despite his stance towards the elections, he also insists on running in them, which has been met by a negative response by protesters who demand a referendum and boycott of the elections.^[108] On 14 April, police searched Tsarov's vehicle and found assault rifle ammunition.^[109]^[110]

Government

Chairman of the government: Denis Pushilin^[111]
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Ekaterina Gubareva^[112]^[113]
Commander-in-Chief of Popular Army: Igor Kakidzyanov^[114] (on 7 May 2014 captured by pro-Ukrainian paramilitaries), Igor Girkin (since 15 May 2014)
Minister for Information: Alexander Khryakov^[115]
Head of the Central Executive Committee: Sergei Ivanov^[116]
Prime Minister: Alexander Borodai (appointed 17 May)^[117]^[118]

The parliament of the state is the Supreme Soviet^[115] (the same name as the parliament of the USSR^[115])

Reactions

Domestic

Donetsk City Council (and nine district councils of the city) distanced itself from the RSA occupiers and they stated (on 7 April): "The Donetsk city council and district councils continue working in the legal field. We see ensuring the vital functions of the city as our main task".^[49]
The Independent Trade Union of Miners in Donetsk announced it would not support the pro-Russian separatist movement.^[119]
Seven village councils, as well as the districts of Dobropillia Raion and Krasnoarmiisk Raion in Donetsk Oblast requested that they be secede to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The councils intend to hold a referendum.^[120] Dnipropetrovsk governor Ihor Kolomoisky announced that local referendums would take place to allow for his province to administer and provide service to cities in Donetsk and Luhansk which wish to secede.^[121] A vote on joining Dnipropetrovsk is scheduled for 11 May to coincide with the secessionist referendum.^[122]

Foreign

Canada - Prime Minister Harper charged that the events are "strictly the work of Russian provocateurs sent by the Putin regime." Canadian foreign affairs minister Baird described events in Ukraine as "brazen and co-ordinated actions" by Russia. He said: "I don't know who the Russian Federation thinks it's kidding when it tries to pretend that it has nothing to do with them," and that there are "very clear and disconcerting parallels" between the developments in eastern Ukraine and those that took place before Russia moved to annex Crimea." He told reporters "there's no doubt, for a good number of weeks, provocateurs and frankly thugs have been crossing the border" into Ukraine.^[123]
Russia – On 7 April Russia's foreign ministry accused Ukrainian authorities of "blaming" the Russian government for all its troubles and stated "Ukrainian people want to get a clear answer from Kiev to all their questions. It's time to listen to these legal claims".^[47]^[124] It also stated it was "carefully observing" events in the east and south of Ukraine, and again called for "real constitutional reform" that would turn Ukraine into a federation.^[125] In an 7 April opinion piece in The Guardian Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov wrote that it was the west, and not Russia, that was guilty of destabilising Ukraine and that "Russia is doing all it can to promote early stabilisation in Ukraine".^[125]^[126] The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a stern condemnation "criminal order" by Kiev for armed aggression against Donetsk, "The Kiev authorities, who self-proclaimed themselves as a result of a coup, have embarked on the violent military suppression of the protests,", demanding that "the Maidan henchmen, who overthrew the legitimate president, to immediately stop the war against their own people, to fulfill all the obligations under the Agreement of 21 February,"^[127]
- Republic of Crimea - Crimean Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliyev expressed the hope that the Donetsk Republic (as well as other south-eastern Ukrainian regions) would form a 'Ukrainian Federation' and join the Union State.^[128]
United Kingdom – British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said there is no doubt that Moscow is behind the destabilization of eastern Ukraine. "There can't really be any real doubt that this is something that has been planned and brought about by Russia," he said, adding that Russia was deliberately "violating the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine, and that "I don't think denials of Russian involvement have a shred of credibility."^[129]
United States – US Secretary of State John Kerry said on 7 April 2014 that the events "did not appear to be spontaneous" and called on Russia to "publicly disavow the activities of separatists, saboteurs and provocateurs" in a phone call to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.^[47] A spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council has noted that the separatists appeared to be supported by Russia. "We saw similar so-called protest activities in Crimea before Russia's purported annexation," she said in a statement, adding: "We call on President (Vladimir) Putin and his government to cease all efforts to destabilize Ukraine, and we caution against further military intervention."^[130] US-Ukraine ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt characterized the pro-Russian militants as terrorists.^[131]

Political experts

Ukrainian-American Alexander J. Motyl, professor of political science at Rutgers University argues that Russia's direct and indirect involvement in the violence in eastern Ukraine qualifies as a state-sponsored terrorism, and that those involved qualify as "terrorist groups."^[132] Motyl also said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on 20 February that Ukraine would be "better off" without "those three problematic provinces -- the two in the Donbas, Luhansk, and Donetsk and arguably even the Crimea".^[133]

Notes

^ Gubarev was arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine on 6 March for "advocating separatism" and "illegal seizure of power" and is being held in Kiev. He faces up to ten years in prison.^[2]^[3]
^ The group stated they:
1) do not recognize the Ukrainian authorities;
2) consider themselves the legitimate authority;
3) "sent into retirement" of all law enforcement officials appointed by the central government and Governor Serhiy Taruta;
4) "prescribed" in the 11 May referendum on self-determination Donetsk;
5) require the issuance of its leader Pavel Gubarev and others are detained separatists;
6) require Ukraine to withdrawal its troops and paramilitary forces;
7) start the process of finding mechanisms of cooperation with the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia and other separatist groups (in Kharkiv and Luhansk).^[57]

References

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^ ^a ^b "Donetsk, Lugansk People's Republics unite in Novorossiya". Voice of Russia. 24 May 2014.
^ Rachkevych, Mark (10 April 2014). "Donetsk separatists hold oblast government headquarters". Kyiv Post. Donetsk. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014. [...] home to the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Ukraine activists declare Donetsk sovereignty". Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera Media Network. 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014. Pro-Russian activists who seized the main administration building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk have proclaimed the creation of a sovereign "people's republic" independent of Kiev rule. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Ukraine Push Against Rebels Grinds to Halt". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 April 2014. pro-Russian separatists reportedly seized the City Hall building in the provincial capital of Donetsk; they had already controlled the regional administration building.
^ In Donetsk, several hundred protesters who had occupied a regional administration building declared a “People’s Republic of Donetsk”, Washington Post, 7 April 2014
^ ^a ^b ^c "Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv". BBC News. 6 April 2014.
^ Cite error: The named reference kpslov was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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^ Recknagel, Charles (17 May 2014). "Gray Zone: Mariupol Sinks Into Power Vacuum". Rferl.org. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
^ "Ukraine's prosecutor general classifies self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk republics as terrorist organizations". Kyiv Post. 16 May 2014.
^ ^a ^b Higgins, Andrew (11 April 2014). "In Eastern Ukraine, a One-Building, Pro-Russia Realm Persists Despite Criticism". New York Times. an imaginary new nation that nobody, not even Russia, recognizes.
^ BBC, Ukraine crisis: Deal to 'de-escalate' agreed in Geneva, 17 April 2014.
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^ ^a ^b Kyiv Post, Anti-terrorist campaign takes a different tack, by Evan Ostryzniuk, 18 April 2014.
^ "Ukraine crisis: Russia backs results of Sunday's referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk". The Independent. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
^ "Putin the Predictable", Slate, May 2, 2014
^ "Ukrainian city of Donetsk epitomizes country's crisis". CBS News. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
^ "Oligarch tries to stamp Kiev authority on restive east". The Financial Times. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
^ "Protests in eastern Ukraine aimed at bringing in Russian troops, warns PM". Reuters. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
^ "How relations between Ukraine and Russia should look like? Public opinion polls' results". Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. 4 March 2014.
^ "66% дончан видят будущее в единой Украине". Donbass News. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
^ "Total of 77 percent of citizens in Donetsk condemn administrative buildings takeover". www.kyivpost.com. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
^ "In Eastern Ukraine, a One-Building, Pro-Russia Realm Persists Despite Criticism". The New York Times. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
^ Babiak, Mat (19 April 2014). "Southeast Statistics". Ukrainian Policy.
^ Kiev Institute of Sociology, The views and opinions of South-Eastern regions residents of Ukraine: April 2014.
^ Chivers, C. J.; David M. Herzenhorn (8 May 2014). "Separatists in Ukraine Vow to Proceed With Autonomy Vote". New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
^ "2 southeast Ukrainian regions to hold referendum May 11 as planned". RT. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
^ "Russia Keeps Its Distance After Ukraine Secession Referendums". The New York Times. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
^ "Germany and US Criticize Donetsk Referendum". Breitbart. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
^ "Ukraine: Donetsk polling stations gear up for Sunday referendum". Euronews. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
^ "Moscow not in rush to respond Donetsk People's Republic's plea of accession". Russia Today. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
^ "Russia Calls for 'Civilized Implementation' of East Ukraine Referendum Results". The Wall Street Journal. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^ "Donetsk People's Republic asks Moscow to consider its accession into Russia". RT. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^ Walker, Shaun (12 May 2014). "Donetsk region asks to join Russia". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Pro-Russian protesters seize govt buildings in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov". Russia Today. 7 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Pro-Russians fortify barricade of gubernatorial building in Donetsk". Kyiv Post. 10 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Воскресный штурм ДонОГА в фотографиях". novosti.dn.ua (in Russian). 6 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Донецькі сепаратисти готуються сформувати "народну облраду" та приєднатися до РФ" (in Ukrainian). Ukrayinska Pravda. 6 April 2014.
^ "Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ". novosti.dn.ua (in Russian). 6 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic', BBC News (7 April 2014)
^ "The Donetsk city council asks citizens not to participate in unlawful actions". NGO.Donetsk. 7 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b Donetsk City Council urges leaders of protests held in city to hold talks, lay down arms immediately – statement, Interfax-Ukraine (7 April 2014)
^ ^a ^b "Activists declare Donetsk republic after capturing regional administration in Eastern Ukraine". RT News. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Regional legislators proclaim industrial center Donetsk People's Republic". ITAR-TASS. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
^ "обращение народа Донбасса к Путину В.В." YouTube.
^ Bigmir, В Донецке отменили создание "Донецкой республики" [The establishment of the Donetsk Republic in Donetsk is cancelled], 8 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b (8 April 2014). Ukrayinska Pravda, Донецкая республика не продержалась и дня? ("Donestk Republic did not last a day?"), 8 April 2014.
^ (8 April 2014). Решение о создании «Донецкой народной республики» отменено (Decision to establish a "people's republic of Donetsk" canceled), Gazeta.ru
^ ^a ^b Ukraine forces retake Kharkiv building, pro-Russians hold out elsewhere, Euronews (2 April 2014)
^ ^a ^b Template:Uk icon "Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union, Ukrayinska Pravda (8 April 2014)
^ Pro-Russian protesters build barricades at Donetsk city hall, BBC News (8 April 2014)
^ Novosti Donetsk, Граждане России продолжают митинговать в Донецке за отделение Донбасса [Russian citizens continue to rally in Donetsk Donbass secession], 8 March 2014.
^ OSCE, Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine - Monday, 14 April 2014, 14 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Separatists in Donetsk decided to release several floors". Ukrainska Pravda. 22 April 2014.
^ Novosti Donetsk, Сепаратисты освободили 9 и 10 этажи Донецкой ОГА ФОТОФАКТ [Separatists give up floors 9 and 10 of the Donetsk Regional Administration offices, in pictures], 24 April 2014.
^ Ostrovsky, Simon (12 April 2014). "Russian Roulette: The Invasion of Ukraine (Dispatch Twenty Three)". VICE News. 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.
^ Рафаэль Сааков Русская служба Би-би-си (1 January 1970). "Донецкий сепаратист Пушилин: нас объединяет русский мир - BBC Russian - В мире". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
^ Leonard, Peter (7 May 2014). "Putin: Troops have pulled back from Ukraine border". Bigstory.ap.org. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
^ "SBU Audio Links Donetsk Republic to Russian Involvement". Ukrainian Policy. 7 May 2014.
^ Young, Cathy (21 May 2014). "Fascism Comes to Ukraine -- From Russia".
^ "Пленных сотрудников Альфы обменяли на трех лидеров сепаратистов - СБУ". UNIAN. 7 May 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Jews ordered to register in east Ukraine". USA Today. Retrieved 17 April 2014. 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.
^ ^a ^b Margalit, Michal. "Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation". Yedioth Internet. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
^ The Interpreter, Russian Separatists in Donetsk Reportedly Order Jews to Register or Face Expulsion, by Paul Goble, 17 April 2014. Note that this article contains a translation of the anti-semitic leaflet into English.
^ ^a ^b Alec Luhn (18 April 2014). "Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
^ Carroll, Oliver (18 April 2014). "Welcome to the People's Republic of Donetsk". The Daily Beast.
^ International Business Times, Donetsk Pro-Russians Order Jews to 'Register or be Deported' for Supporting Kiev Rule, by Gianluca Mezzofiore, 16 April 2014.
^ "The Downside of Registering Outrage". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
^ "Ukraine Leaflets Calling for Jewish Registration 'Were Faked'". International Business Times. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
^ Luhn, Alec. "Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
^ Vasovic, Aleksandar; Alastair MacDonald (19 April 2014). "Ukraine rabbi seeks end to anti-Semitism row - in vain". Retrieved 18 May 2014.
^ "Ukraine: authenticity of anti-Semitic leaflets under scrutiny in Donetsk". France 24. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
^ "Flier calling on Donetsk Jews to register now widely seen as fake". Haaretz. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
^ "Relax Ukraine is Not Ordering Its Jews to Register". New Republic. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
^ "'Complete lie': Pro-Russian official denies role in mysterious leaflets to Ukrainian Jews". Fox News. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
^ Nemtsova, Anna (17 April 2014). "Jews in East Ukraine Are Being Threatened, But By Whom?". The Daily Beast.
^ "Ukraine’s Jews caught in a propaganda war based on the ‘political manipulation of anti-Semitism’" National Post. April 25, 2014
^ Ukrainska Pravda, СБУ розслідує справу антисемітських листівок у Донецьку [The Security Service is investigating the case of the anti-Semitic leaflets in Donetsk], 19 April 2014.
^ "Pro-Russian separatists start their own anti-Semitic TV channel". Human Rights in Ukraine. 22 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Miletitch, Nicolas (3 June 2014). "Ukraine crisis deepens rift between Orthodox Churches". Yahoo! News. AFP.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Pro-Russian Separatists Loot, Assault Romani in Sloviansk". Ukrainian Policy. 19 April 2014.^{[better source needed]}
^ ^a ^b ^c "Statement of Concern Regarding Attacks on Roma in Ukraine". USOSCE. 9 May 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Russia and Fascism: When the thief cries "Stop thief!"". Romea.cz. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
^ Unian, В Славянске снова устроили ромский погром [Another pogrom against the Romani occurred in Sloviansk], 23 March 2014.
^ Unian, В Славянске сепаратисты избивают и грабят ромов - СМИ [In Sloviansk separatists beat and robbed Roma], 19 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c Unian, Яценюк поручил привлекать к ответственности за распространение антисемитизма и ксенофобии [Yatsenyuk orders prosecutions of those spreading anti-Semitism and xenophobia], 19 April 2014.
^ Novosti Donetsk, Сепаратисты объяснили погромы ромов в Славянске [Separatists explained the Roma pogroms in Sloviansk], 20 April 2014.
^ "Ukraine News One: Donetsk gay club attacked by separatists (VIDEO)". Kyivpost.com. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
^ Unian, Сепаратисты в Славянске объявили "охоту" на украиноязычных - СМИ [Sloviansk separatists declared a "hunt" for people speaking the Ukrainian language], 18 April 2014.
^ SBU detained the leader of Donetsk Republic. Espreso. 19 March 2014
^ ""Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union". Ukrayinska Pravda. 8 April 2014. require the release of its leader Paul Gubarev and other detained separatists;
^ Coynash, Halya (18 March 2014). "Far-Right Recruited as Crimea Poll Observers". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Pavel Gubarev, a former member of the neo-Nazi, Russian chauvinist Russian National Unity movement
^ Snyder, Timothy (17 March 2014). "Far-Right Forces are Influencing Russia's Actions in Crimea". The New Republic. In Donetsk Gubarov was known as a neo-Nazi and as a member of the fascist organization Russian National Unity.
^ "Russia's deep ties to Donetsk's Kremlin collaborators". Kyiv Post. 10 April 2014. In Donetsk, Pavel Gubarev, a Ukrainian citizen and former member of the Russian National Unity movement, attempted to head the protest.
^ "Kremlin turns a blind eye to the rampant Nazism in the country". TSN.ua. 10 April 2014. 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.
^ Digital Journal, Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism, by Germain Moyon, 9 March 2014.
^ Global Post, Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism, 10 March 2014.
^ "Demonstrators in Donetsk plan to create 'people's army'". ITAR-TASS. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
^ "Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ". novosti.dn.ua (in Russian). 6 April 2014.
^ Unian, Царев заявил, что готов стать лидером сепаратистов и сорвать президентские выборы [Tsarov said that he was ready to become the leader of the separatists and disrupt the presidential election], 11 April 2014.
^ Kyiv Post, Pro-Kremlin lawmaker Tsariov backs separatists, goes looking for support in Luhansk, 12 April 2014.
^ Ukrainska Pravda, В авто Царьова мітингувальники знайшли набої до автомату і всю ніч його ловили [Protesters found automatic-rifle ammunition in Tsarov's car at night and caught him], 15 April 2014.
^ Insider, Самооборона знайшла в авто Царьова незареєстровані автомати [Guards found unregistered weapons in Tsarov's car], 15 April 2014.
^ Лидер митингующих в Донецке заявил, что власти готовы к референдуму; Leader of protesters in Donetsk announced that officials are ready to referendum, RIA News, 10 April 2014
^ Екатерина Губарева: юго-восток не отступит от своих требований; Ekaterina Gubareva: South-East wont retreat its reguest, Vesti, 11 April 2014
^ New York Times, 11 April 2014, Pro-Russia Ukrainians Are Promised More Power, but Remain Dubious, by Andrew Higgins and Andrew E Kramer.
^ Главнокомандующий народной армии Донецкой республики Какидзянов назначает штаб и формирует офицерский состав; Commander-in-Chief of Popular Army creates a staff, Mir i Politika, 11 April 2014
^ ^a ^b ^c The Ukrainians who are nostalgic for their Soviet past, BBC News (8 June 2014)
^ "Донецкая республика" "отправила в отставку" Сергея Таруту; Donetsk Republic fired Sergei Taruta, Hotsport, 8 April 2014.
^ Премьер-министром ДНР стал россиянин Александр Бородай - Политика, СНГ - МК
^ Russian citizen the new PM in breakaway Ukrainian enclave
^ "Шахтеры Донбасса выступили против сепаратизма" (in Russian). Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 7 April 2014.
^ "Семь сельсоветов Донетчины просят присоединить их к Днепропетровской области : Новости УНИАН". Unian.net. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
^ публикация Borys Filatov. "Коломойский готов навести порядок в Донецкой и Луганской областях | Обозреватель". Obozrevatel.com. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
^ "Donetsk residents to vote in referendum on joining Dnipropetrovsk". Euromaidan PR. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
^ CBC News, Ukraine crisis: Stephen Harper blames 'Russian provocateurs' for escalation, by Susana Mas, 14 April 2014.
^ Russia trying to 'dismember' Ukraine through protests, Kiev says, CNN (7 April 2014)
^ ^a ^b Ukraine crisis escalates as pro-Russia activists declare independence in Donetsk, The Guardian (7 April 2014)
^ Sergei Lavrov: It's not Russia that is destabilising Ukraine, The Guardian (7 April 2014)
^ Russia Today, Moscow slams Kiev's military op order as 'criminal', calls for UNSC meeting, 13 April 2014.
^ Ukrainska Pravda, Теміргалієв оголосив про швидке створення "Української Федерації" [Temirgaliyev announced the imminent creation of the "Ukrainian Federation"], 12 April 2014.
^ Interfax-Ukraine, No doubt that Russia behind unrest in Ukraine – UK Foreign Secretary, 14 April 2014.
^ Cite error: The named reference reutersa12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Voice of America, Q&A with US Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt: Ukraine Crisis Escalates as War Fears Grow, 14 April 2014.
^ Motyl, Alexander (14 April 2014). "Putin's Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism". World Affairs Journal.
^ "Interview: The Benefits Of A Partitioned Ukraine". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 20 February 2014. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)

External links

[4] Gubarev was arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine on 6 March for "advocating separatism" and "illegal seizure of power" and is being held in Kiev. He faces up to ten years in prison.^[2]^[3]

[59] The group stated they:
1) do not recognize the Ukrainian authorities;
2) consider themselves the legitimate authority;
3) "sent into retirement" of all law enforcement officials appointed by the central government and Governor Serhiy Taruta;
4) "prescribed" in the 11 May referendum on self-determination Donetsk;
5) require the issuance of its leader Pavel Gubarev and others are detained separatists;
6) require Ukraine to withdrawal its troops and paramilitary forces;
7) start the process of finding mechanisms of cooperation with the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia and other separatist groups (in Kharkiv and Luhansk).^[57]

[rchurch-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Blair, David (18 June 2014). "Beaten and threatened: the 'Donetsk People's Republic' turns on city's priests". The Telegraph.

[march10afp-2] "Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism". GlobalPost. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.

[gubarevrferl-3] "Pro-Russian Protest Leader in Eastern Ukraine Said Taken To Kyiv". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.

[pushilin1-5] "Donetsk's pro-Russian activists prepare referendum for 'new republic'". The Guardian. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.

[pushilin2-6] "Donetsk separatists hold oblast government headquarters". Kyiv Post. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.

[7] "Pro-Russians: Ukraine's Donetsk 'Independent'". News.sky.com. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.

[novo-8] "Donetsk, Lugansk People's Republics unite in Novorossiya". Voice of Russia. 24 May 2014.

[kpost14-04-11-9] Rachkevych, Mark (10 April 2014). "Donetsk separatists hold oblast government headquarters". Kyiv Post. Donetsk. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014. [...] home to the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[jazeera14-04-07-10] "Ukraine activists declare Donetsk sovereignty". Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera Media Network. 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014. Pro-Russian activists who seized the main administration building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk have proclaimed the creation of a sovereign "people's republic" independent of Kiev rule. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[nytime2-april162014-11] "Ukraine Push Against Rebels Grinds to Halt". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 April 2014. pro-Russian separatists reportedly seized the City Hall building in the provincial capital of Donetsk; they had already controlled the regional administration building.

[12] In Donetsk, several hundred protesters who had occupied a regional administration building declared a “People’s Republic of Donetsk”, Washington Post, 7 April 2014

[BBC100a6414-13] "Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv". BBC News. 6 April 2014.

[kpslov-14] Cite error: The named reference kpslov was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[15] AP (21 May 2014). "In Ukraine, Chaos Meets Self-Declared Independence". New York Times.

[16] Recknagel, Charles (17 May 2014). "Gray Zone: Mariupol Sinks Into Power Vacuum". Rferl.org. Retrieved 12 June 2014.

[terrorist-17] "Ukraine's prosecutor general classifies self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk republics as terrorist organizations". Kyiv Post. 16 May 2014.

[nyt10-18] Higgins, Andrew (11 April 2014). "In Eastern Ukraine, a One-Building, Pro-Russia Realm Persists Despite Criticism". New York Times. an imaginary new nation that nobody, not even Russia, recognizes.

[19] BBC, Ukraine crisis: Deal to 'de-escalate' agreed in Geneva, 17 April 2014.

[20] New York Times, U.S. and Russia Agree on Pact to Defuse Ukraine Crisis, by Michael R Gordon, 17 April 2014.

[21] "Eastern Ukraine's Pro-Russian Activists Stand Fast". The Wall Street Journal. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.

[kpmrec-22] Kyiv Post, Anti-terrorist campaign takes a different tack, by Evan Ostryzniuk, 18 April 2014.

[23] "Ukraine crisis: Russia backs results of Sunday's referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk". The Independent. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.

[24] "Putin the Predictable", Slate, May 2, 2014

[march6cbs-25] "Ukrainian city of Donetsk epitomizes country's crisis". CBS News. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.

[26] "Oligarch tries to stamp Kiev authority on restive east". The Financial Times. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.

[27] "Protests in eastern Ukraine aimed at bringing in Russian troops, warns PM". Reuters. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.

[kiis1-28] "How relations between Ukraine and Russia should look like? Public opinion polls' results". Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. 4 March 2014.

[29] "66% дончан видят будущее в единой Украине". Donbass News. Retrieved 9 April 2014.

[support-30] "Total of 77 percent of citizens in Donetsk condemn administrative buildings takeover". www.kyivpost.com. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.

[onebuilding-31] "In Eastern Ukraine, a One-Building, Pro-Russia Realm Persists Despite Criticism". The New York Times. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.

[upkiis-32] Babiak, Mat (19 April 2014). "Southeast Statistics". Ukrainian Policy.

[33] Kiev Institute of Sociology, The views and opinions of South-Eastern regions residents of Ukraine: April 2014.

[34] Chivers, C. J.; David M. Herzenhorn (8 May 2014). "Separatists in Ukraine Vow to Proceed With Autonomy Vote". New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2014.

[35] "2 southeast Ukrainian regions to hold referendum May 11 as planned". RT. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.

[36] "Russia Keeps Its Distance After Ukraine Secession Referendums". The New York Times. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.

[BRcrit-37] "Germany and US Criticize Donetsk Referendum". Breitbart. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.

[ENsr-38] "Ukraine: Donetsk polling stations gear up for Sunday referendum". Euronews. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.

[39] "Moscow not in rush to respond Donetsk People's Republic's plea of accession". Russia Today. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.

[40] "Russia Calls for 'Civilized Implementation' of East Ukraine Referendum Results". The Wall Street Journal. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

[41] "Donetsk People's Republic asks Moscow to consider its accession into Russia". RT. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

[42] Walker, Shaun (12 May 2014). "Donetsk region asks to join Russia". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

[rtapr6-43] "Pro-Russian protesters seize govt buildings in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov". Russia Today. 7 April 2014.

[kpapr10-44] "Pro-Russians fortify barricade of gubernatorial building in Donetsk". Kyiv Post. 10 April 2014.

[NovDnUa1-45] "Воскресный штурм ДонОГА в фотографиях". novosti.dn.ua (in Russian). 6 April 2014.

[UPravda1-46] "Донецькі сепаратисти готуються сформувати "народну облраду" та приєднатися до РФ" (in Ukrainian). Ukrayinska Pravda. 6 April 2014.

[47] "Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ". novosti.dn.ua (in Russian). 6 April 2014.

[BBCtha-48] Ukraine crisis: Protesters declare Donetsk 'republic', BBC News (7 April 2014)

[49] "The Donetsk city council asks citizens not to participate in unlawful actions". NGO.Donetsk. 7 April 2014.

[DCCNI-50] Donetsk City Council urges leaders of protests held in city to hold talks, lay down arms immediately – statement, Interfax-Ukraine (7 April 2014)

[rtapril7-51] "Activists declare Donetsk republic after capturing regional administration in Eastern Ukraine". RT News. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.

[itartassapril7-52] "Regional legislators proclaim industrial center Donetsk People's Republic". ITAR-TASS. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.

[53] "обращение народа Донбасса к Путину В.В." YouTube.

[54] Bigmir, В Донецке отменили создание "Донецкой республики" [The establishment of the Donetsk Republic in Donetsk is cancelled], 8 April 2014.

[storyover-55] (8 April 2014). Ukrayinska Pravda, Донецкая республика не продержалась и дня? ("Donestk Republic did not last a day?"), 8 April 2014.

[gazend-56] (8 April 2014). Решение о создании «Донецкой народной республики» отменено (Decision to establish a "people's republic of Donetsk" canceled), Gazeta.ru

[ENDRD8414-57] Ukraine forces retake Kharkiv building, pro-Russians hold out elsewhere, Euronews (2 April 2014)

[proclUP8414-58] Template:Uk icon "Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union, Ukrayinska Pravda (8 April 2014)

[60] Pro-Russian protesters build barricades at Donetsk city hall, BBC News (8 April 2014)

[61] Novosti Donetsk, Граждане России продолжают митинговать в Донецке за отделение Донбасса [Russian citizens continue to rally in Donetsk Donbass secession], 8 March 2014.

[62] OSCE, Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine - Monday, 14 April 2014, 14 April 2014.

[release2-63] "Separatists in Donetsk decided to release several floors". Ukrainska Pravda. 22 April 2014.

[64] Novosti Donetsk, Сепаратисты освободили 9 и 10 этажи Донецкой ОГА ФОТОФАКТ [Separatists give up floors 9 and 10 of the Donetsk Regional Administration offices, in pictures], 24 April 2014.

[vice12-65] Ostrovsky, Simon (12 April 2014). "Russian Roulette: The Invasion of Ukraine (Dispatch Twenty Three)". VICE News. 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.

[66] Рафаэль Сааков Русская служба Би-би-си (1 January 1970). "Донецкий сепаратист Пушилин: нас объединяет русский мир - BBC Russian - В мире". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2014.

[67] Leonard, Peter (7 May 2014). "Putin: Troops have pulled back from Ukraine border". Bigstory.ap.org. Retrieved 14 May 2014.

[upwire-68] "SBU Audio Links Donetsk Republic to Russian Involvement". Ukrainian Policy. 7 May 2014.

[boro2-69] Young, Cathy (21 May 2014). "Fascism Comes to Ukraine -- From Russia".

[gubafree-70] "Пленных сотрудников Альфы обменяли на трех лидеров сепаратистов - СБУ". UNIAN. 7 May 2014.

[usatoday0417-71] "Jews ordered to register in east Ukraine". USA Today. Retrieved 17 April 2014. 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.

[Ynet_news-72] Margalit, Michal. "Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation". Yedioth Internet. Retrieved 16 April 2014.

[73] The Interpreter, Russian Separatists in Donetsk Reportedly Order Jews to Register or Face Expulsion, by Paul Goble, 17 April 2014. Note that this article contains a translation of the anti-semitic leaflet into English.

[vishedski-74] Alec Luhn (18 April 2014). "Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 April 2014.

[welcome-75] Carroll, Oliver (18 April 2014). "Welcome to the People's Republic of Donetsk". The Daily Beast.

[GianlucaMezzofiore16April2014-76] International Business Times, Donetsk Pro-Russians Order Jews to 'Register or be Deported' for Supporting Kiev Rule, by Gianluca Mezzofiore, 16 April 2014.

[nyt-downside-77] "The Downside of Registering Outrage". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 11 May 2014.

[78] "Ukraine Leaflets Calling for Jewish Registration 'Were Faked'". International Business Times. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.

[tg-asf-79] Luhn, Alec. "Antisemitic flyer 'by Donetsk People's Republic' in Ukraine a hoax". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2014.

[80] Vasovic, Aleksandar; Alastair MacDonald (19 April 2014). "Ukraine rabbi seeks end to anti-Semitism row - in vain". Retrieved 18 May 2014.

[franceasl-81] "Ukraine: authenticity of anti-Semitic leaflets under scrutiny in Donetsk". France 24. Retrieved 11 May 2014.

[hareetzfl-82] "Flier calling on Donetsk Jews to register now widely seen as fake". Haaretz. Retrieved 11 May 2014.

[tnrjews-83] "Relax Ukraine is Not Ordering Its Jews to Register". New Republic. Retrieved 11 May 2014.

[84] "'Complete lie': Pro-Russian official denies role in mysterious leaflets to Ukrainian Jews". Fox News. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.

[dailybeast17-85] Nemtsova, Anna (17 April 2014). "Jews in East Ukraine Are Being Threatened, But By Whom?". The Daily Beast.

[86] "Ukraine’s Jews caught in a propaganda war based on the ‘political manipulation of anti-Semitism’" National Post. April 25, 2014

[87] Ukrainska Pravda, СБУ розслідує справу антисемітських листівок у Донецьку [The Security Service is investigating the case of the anti-Semitic leaflets in Donetsk], 19 April 2014.

[88] "Pro-Russian separatists start their own anti-Semitic TV channel". Human Rights in Ukraine. 22 April 2014.

[afpchrist-89] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Miletitch, Nicolas (3 June 2014). "Ukraine crisis deepens rift between Orthodox Churches". Yahoo! News. AFP.

[roma2-90] "Pro-Russian Separatists Loot, Assault Romani in Sloviansk". Ukrainian Policy. 19 April 2014.^{[better source needed]}

[osceroma-91] "Statement of Concern Regarding Attacks on Roma in Ukraine". USOSCE. 9 May 2014.

[romani1-92] "Russia and Fascism: When the thief cries "Stop thief!"". Romea.cz. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.

[93] Unian, В Славянске снова устроили ромский погром [Another pogrom against the Romani occurred in Sloviansk], 23 March 2014.

[94] Unian, В Славянске сепаратисты избивают и грабят ромов - СМИ [In Sloviansk separatists beat and robbed Roma], 19 April 2014.

[roma1-95] Unian, Яценюк поручил привлекать к ответственности за распространение антисемитизма и ксенофобии [Yatsenyuk orders prosecutions of those spreading anti-Semitism and xenophobia], 19 April 2014.

[96] Novosti Donetsk, Сепаратисты объяснили погромы ромов в Славянске [Separatists explained the Roma pogroms in Sloviansk], 20 April 2014.

[97] "Ukraine News One: Donetsk gay club attacked by separatists (VIDEO)". Kyivpost.com. Retrieved 12 June 2014.

[98] Unian, Сепаратисты в Славянске объявили "охоту" на украиноязычных - СМИ [Sloviansk separatists declared a "hunt" for people speaking the Ukrainian language], 18 April 2014.

[arrest-99] SBU detained the leader of Donetsk Republic. Espreso. 19 March 2014

[leader-100] ""Donetsk Republic" while there is still and wants the Customs Union". Ukrayinska Pravda. 8 April 2014. require the release of its leader Paul Gubarev and other detained separatists;

[101] Coynash, Halya (18 March 2014). "Far-Right Recruited as Crimea Poll Observers". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Pavel Gubarev, a former member of the neo-Nazi, Russian chauvinist Russian National Unity movement

[102] Snyder, Timothy (17 March 2014). "Far-Right Forces are Influencing Russia's Actions in Crimea". The New Republic. In Donetsk Gubarov was known as a neo-Nazi and as a member of the fascist organization Russian National Unity.

[kpgubnaz-103] "Russia's deep ties to Donetsk's Kremlin collaborators". Kyiv Post. 10 April 2014. In Donetsk, Pavel Gubarev, a Ukrainian citizen and former member of the Russian National Unity movement, attempted to head the protest.

[tsn-gub-104] "Kremlin turns a blind eye to the rampant Nazism in the country". TSN.ua. 10 April 2014. 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.

[105] Digital Journal, Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism, by Germain Moyon, 9 March 2014.

[106] Global Post, Pro-Russian Gubarev, a symbol of east Ukraine separatism, 10 March 2014.

[kakidzyanov-107] "Demonstrators in Donetsk plan to create 'people's army'". ITAR-TASS. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.

[NovDnUa2-108] "Сепаратисты выставили ультиматум: референдум о вхождении Донецкой области в состав РФ". novosti.dn.ua (in Russian). 6 April 2014.

[109] Unian, Царев заявил, что готов стать лидером сепаратистов и сорвать президентские выборы [Tsarov said that he was ready to become the leader of the separatists and disrupt the presidential election], 11 April 2014.

[110] Kyiv Post, Pro-Kremlin lawmaker Tsariov backs separatists, goes looking for support in Luhansk, 12 April 2014.

[111] Ukrainska Pravda, В авто Царьова мітингувальники знайшли набої до автомату і всю ніч його ловили [Protesters found automatic-rifle ammunition in Tsarov's car at night and caught him], 15 April 2014.

[112] Insider, Самооборона знайшла в авто Царьова незареєстровані автомати [Guards found unregistered weapons in Tsarov's car], 15 April 2014.

[113] Лидер митингующих в Донецке заявил, что власти готовы к референдуму; Leader of protesters in Donetsk announced that officials are ready to referendum, RIA News, 10 April 2014

[114] Екатерина Губарева: юго-восток не отступит от своих требований; Ekaterina Gubareva: South-East wont retreat its reguest, Vesti, 11 April 2014

[NYTimes-11Apr14-115] New York Times, 11 April 2014, Pro-Russia Ukrainians Are Promised More Power, but Remain Dubious, by Andrew Higgins and Andrew E Kramer.

[116] Главнокомандующий народной армии Донецкой республики Какидзянов назначает штаб и формирует офицерский состав; Commander-in-Chief of Popular Army creates a staff, Mir i Politika, 11 April 2014

[BBCN8614-117] The Ukrainians who are nostalgic for their Soviet past, BBC News (8 June 2014)

[118] "Донецкая республика" "отправила в отставку" Сергея Таруту; Donetsk Republic fired Sergei Taruta, Hotsport, 8 April 2014.

[119] Премьер-министром ДНР стал россиянин Александр Бородай - Политика, СНГ - МК

[120] Russian citizen the new PM in breakaway Ukrainian enclave

[121] "Шахтеры Донбасса выступили против сепаратизма" (in Russian). Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 7 April 2014.

[122] "Семь сельсоветов Донетчины просят присоединить их к Днепропетровской области : Новости УНИАН". Unian.net. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.

[123] публикация Borys Filatov. "Коломойский готов навести порядок в Донецкой и Луганской областях | Обозреватель". Obozrevatel.com. Retrieved 3 May 2014.

[124] "Donetsk residents to vote in referendum on joining Dnipropetrovsk". Euromaidan PR. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.

[125] CBC News, Ukraine crisis: Stephen Harper blames 'Russian provocateurs' for escalation, by Susana Mas, 14 April 2014.

[126] Russia trying to 'dismember' Ukraine through protests, Kiev says, CNN (7 April 2014)

[GopL74-127] Ukraine crisis escalates as pro-Russia activists declare independence in Donetsk, The Guardian (7 April 2014)

[128] Sergei Lavrov: It's not Russia that is destabilising Ukraine, The Guardian (7 April 2014)

[129] Russia Today, Moscow slams Kiev's military op order as 'criminal', calls for UNSC meeting, 13 April 2014.

[130] Ukrainska Pravda, Теміргалієв оголосив про швидке створення "Української Федерації" [Temirgaliyev announced the imminent creation of the "Ukrainian Federation"], 12 April 2014.

[131] Interfax-Ukraine, No doubt that Russia behind unrest in Ukraine – UK Foreign Secretary, 14 April 2014.

[reutersa12-132] Cite error: The named reference reutersa12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[133] Voice of America, Q&A with US Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt: Ukraine Crisis Escalates as War Fears Grow, 14 April 2014.

[motyl1-134] Motyl, Alexander (14 April 2014). "Putin's Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism". World Affairs Journal.

[135] "Interview: The Benefits Of A Partitioned Ukraine". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 20 February 2014. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)

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