Donbas – tako se naziva istočna regija Ukrajine. Nakon aneksije Krima upravo je ovdje započeo rat Rusije protiv Ukrajine. Donbas se predstavlja kao industrijska regija s proruskim stanovništvom. No to je samo dio istine. Dakle, što je Donbas?

Nije Donbas – Donjecka i Luganska oblast

Ispravnije je ove regije nazivati Donjecka i Luganska oblast, sa središtima u Donjecku i Lugansku, respektivno. Donbas je geografska regija Donjeckog ugljenog bazena. Njegov istočni dio nalazi se na teritoriju Ruske Federacije, a zapadni – u susjednim ukrajinskim regijama. To je doista visoko urbanizirana (do rata), industrijska regija s brojnim stanovništvom. Stanovnici velikih gradova uglavnom su rusofoni, različitog etničkog podrijetla. U međuvremenu, stanovnici ruralnih područja povijesno su ukrajinski govornici.

Povijest regije

Povijest Donjecke i Luganske oblasti često se veže uz procvat industrijskog razvoja u 19. stoljeću. Kao da je prije toga tamo bila prazna stepa u kojoj nitko nije živio. Međutim, to nije tako. Staništa i kurgani na ovom području datiraju iz neolitika. U davna vremena ovim su zemljama prolazili migracijski putevi s istoka na zapad.

Nakon pada Zlatne Horde i nastanka Krimskog Kanata u 14. stoljeću, ovdje su doista bjesnili sukobi, a naselja su se često uništavala. Ali već od 16. stoljeća na ovom se području naseljavaju kozaci. “Slobodne” od vlasti kraljeva i careva zemlje privlačile su ljude koji su željeli samostalno upravljati svojim životima. U određenoj mjeri, ovo osvajanje slobodnih zemalja podsjeća na događaje na Divljem zapadu, samo bez istrebljenja lokalnog stanovništva. Jer su i teritorij osvajali stanovnici susjednih zemalja, s desne obale Dnjepra.

Industrijalizacija Donjecke i Luganske oblasti

Regija, bogata kamenim ugljenom, kamenom soli, vatrostalnom glinom, vapnencem i rudama, kredom i gipsom, postala je središte industrijskog razvoja krajem 19. stoljeća. Aktivno su u razvoju regije sudjelovali strani investitori. Tako su središnji gradovi – Donjeck i Lugansk – osnovali Englezi. Naravno, tamo su bila i lokalna naselja. Ali planirani razvoj poduzeća i urbana izgradnja započeli su naseljavanjem stranih inženjera i stručnjaka. Lokalno stanovništvo koristilo se za teške poslove u rudnicima i tvornicama. Mnogi su radnici dovođeni iz drugih regija.

Novac u razvoj regije ulagali su i poduzetnici iz Belgije, Nizozemske, Njemačke i drugih zemalja. Raspadom Ruskog Carstva, u čijem su sastavu bile ove zemlje, svi su resursi “pripali” boljševicima. Stranci, a također i lokalni bogati ljudi i poduzetnici, su protjerani s teritorija i izgubili su sva svoja dobra.

Daljnja sudbina regije unutar SSSR-a bila je prilično pozitivna u ekonomskom smislu. Međutim, s kulturnog gledišta, teritorij se sve više rusificirao. Zanimljivo je da, unatoč prividnoj industrijskoj moći SSSR-a, poduzeća u regiji do 21. stoljeća koristila su tehniku uvezenu u 19. stoljeću i opremu izvezenu iz Njemačke nakon Drugog svjetskog rata.

Donjecka i Luganska oblast do 2014. godine

Donjecka i Luganska oblast, iako susjedne, prilično su različite regije. Međutim, za neovisnost Ukrajine 1991. godine ovdje su glasovali jednako masovno. I premda je prvo desetljeće neovisnosti bilo izuzetno teško u ekonomskom i socijalnom smislu, s vremenom se život počeo poboljšavati.

Već 2012. godine Donjeck se mogao pohvaliti najvećim i najmodernijim nogometnim stadionom u Istočnoj Europi. Iz donjecke zračne luke avioni su letjeli u europske prijestolnice i na svjetska odmarališta. Grad je cvjetao, radila su kazališta, kulturni festivali. Ovdje su nastupale svjetske zvijezde. U donjeckom nogometnom klubu “Šahtar” igrao je i bio trener Darijo Srna.

Rat u Donbasu

Nakon početka hibridnog rata Rusije u Donbasu, broj stanovnika naglo se smanjio. Rudarska poduzeća zatvorili su okupatori. Status stanovnika ovih teritorija dugo je ostao neodređen. Slobodne prometne veze sa svijetom ovdje nema.

Aktivna fronta koja prolazi Donjeckom i Luganskom oblašću ostavlja za sobom ruševine gradova i sela. Okupatori aktivno iskorjenjuju i ukrajinsku kulturu, zatvarajući ukrajinske škole i uništavajući knjige na ukrajinskom jeziku. Nemarno gospodarenje okupatora dovodi do tehnogenih i ekoloških katastrofa. Danas Donjeck, nekada grad s milijun stanovnika, pati od nedostatka pitke vode.

Ovako izgleda “oslobođenje Donbasa”, kojim je Ruska Federacija pokušala predstaviti svoj osvajački rat. Razaranje, rat, siromaštvo i ruski jezik – sve što nudi “ruski mir”.

What is Donbas?

Donbas – this is the name given to the eastern region of Ukraine. After the annexation of Crimea, it was here that Russia’s war against Ukraine began. Donbas is often presented as an industrial region with a pro-Russian population. But this is only part of the truth. So, what is Donbas?

Not Donbas – Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts

It is more accurate to call these regions Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast, with their respective centers in Donetsk and Luhansk. Donbas is the geographical region of the Donetsk Coal Basin. Its eastern part is located on the territory of the Russian Federation, and its western part is in neighboring Ukrainian regions. It is indeed a highly urbanized (before the war), industrial region with a large population. Residents of large cities are predominantly Russian-speaking, of various ethnic origins. Meanwhile, residents of rural areas are historically Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainians.

History of the Region

The history of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts is often traced from the flourishing of industrial development in the 19th century, as if before that there was an empty steppe where no one lived. However, this is not the case. Campsites and kurgan burials in this territory date back to the Neolithic era. In ancient times, migration routes from east to west passed through these lands.

After the fall of the Golden Horde and the emergence of the Crimean Khanate in the 14th century, clashes truly raged here, and settlements were often destroyed. But already from the 16th century, Cossacks began to settle in this territory. Lands “free” from the power of kings and tsars attracted people who wanted to independently manage their lives. To some extent, this development of free lands resembles events in the Wild West, only without the extermination of the local population. After all, the territory was settled by residents of adjacent lands, from the right bank of the Dnieper.

Industrialization of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts

The region, rich in coal, rock salt, refractory clay, limestone and ores, chalk and gypsum, became a center of industrial development at the end of the 19th century. Foreign investors took an active part in the development of the region. Thus, the central cities – Donetsk and Luhansk – were founded by the English. Of course, there were local settlements there. But the systematic development of enterprises and urban construction began with the settlement of foreign engineers and specialists. The local population was used for heavy work in mines and factories. Many workers were brought from other regions.

Entrepreneurs from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and others also invested money in the development of the region. With the collapse of the Russian Empire, which included these lands, all resources “fell” to the Bolsheviks. Foreigners, as sell as wealthy locals, were expelled from the territory and lost all their gains.

The further fate of the region within the USSR was quite positive economically. However, from a cultural point of view, the territory became increasingly russified. Interestingly, despite the apparent industrial might of the USSR, enterprises in the region continued to use equipment imported in the 19th century and equipment exported from Germany after World War II until the 21st century.

Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts until 2014

Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, although neighboring, are quite different regions. However, in 1991, they voted equally massively for Ukraine’s independence. And although the first decade of independence was extremely difficult economically and socially, over time, life began to improve.

Already in 2012, Donetsk could boast the largest and most modern football stadium in Eastern Europe. From Donetsk airport, planes departed to European capitals and world resorts. The city flourished, theaters operated, and cultural festivals were held. World-class stars performed here. Dario Srna played and coached at the Donetsk football club “Shakhtar.”

War in Donbas

After the start of Russia’s hybrid war in Donbas, the population sharply decreased. Coal enterprises were closed by the occupiers. The status of residents of these territories remained undefined for a long time. There is no free transport connection with the world here.

The active front line running through Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts leaves behind ruins of cities and villages. The occupiers are actively eradicating Ukrainian culture, closing Ukrainian schools and destroying Ukrainian-language books. The occupiers’ negligent management leads to man-made disasters and environmental catastrophes. Today, Donetsk, once a city with a million inhabitants, suffers from a lack of drinking water.

This is what the “liberation of Donbas” looks like, which the Russian Federation tried to present as its aggressive war. Ruin, war, poverty, and the Russian language – all that the “Russian world” offers.