The Donnetsk and the broad Donbas region have been the central point of Russia-Ukraine for the past decade. Putin has recently assured to stop the war on the condition of getting Donnetsk in a conversation with US President Trump. However, this is not so easy. Originally this part of Ukraine has been in Russia’s possession for the past 10–11 years. Russia -backed separatist groups have declared a separate country by the name Donetsk Peoples Republic.
This area holds a high position in Russia’s military, political and ideological priorities. Ukraine does not want to leave it under any circumstances, but wants to regain the area occupied by Russian and separatists. Ukrainian President Jailinski has clearly stated on several occasions that he does not accept a single piece of land. In such a situation, it will be interesting to see what the Ukrainian President takes on the issue in a meeting with the US President?
Let’s know, why does Russia want to get Donetsk in any case? Will the Ukraine-Russia war be stopped by Putin really accepting this condition?
Coal mine is the center of heavy industry Donetsk
The city of Donetsk was established in the 19th century with the rise of industrial coal and metal industry. Before the partition of Soviet Russia, British entrepreneur John Hughes laid the foundation of steel plants and mines, which gradually became the center of heavy industry.
During the Soviet Union period, Donetsk and the surrounding Donbas were called the Industrial Spine. The coal mine, cooking coal, steel plant, machine construction and rail network played an important role in the Soviet war economy and reconstruction. During the Second World War, the region was strategically very important and many decisive battles were fought here on the German Soviet front.
During the Soviet Union period, Donetsk and the surrounding Donbas were called the Industrial Spine.
Ukraine got this area after Soviet disintegration
After the Soviet disintegration in 1991, Donnetsk Ukraine took place. In independent Ukraine too, Donetsk remained a major center of industrial production, mining and exports. However, due to global markets, old technology, and management challenges, many mines gradually started closing due to losses. Despite this, Donbas was decisive in tax revenue, heavy industry, metallurgical and energy supply for Ukraine. The number of Russian speaking people here was always more than. And for this reason, people here could not accept the new country with heart and the politics of language and identity gradually started influencing the local discourse.
After Russian occupation of Crimea, the situation here rapidly changed
In 2014, Russia captured Crimea, an important part of Ukraine. After this, the struggle erupted in eastern Ukraine. Russian -backed groups also announced the People’s Republic in Donetsk and Luhansk. The fight between the Ukrainian government and the separatist groups, the allegations of external support on Russia, and the confusion of Minsk agreements pushed the region into long -term instability. The war entered a new phase after Russia’s broad attack in 2022. Russia claimed to be introduced into themselves, citing public opinion on Donnetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizia and parts of Kherason, which Ukraine and most of the international community rejected them.
Why is Donnetsk special for Putin?
Russia or simply say that this place is very special for Putin. It is important in many ways. Donetsk Oblast is close to Russia’s Seema and Rostov on Don. Control of this area helps Russia maintain a permanent land bridge on the southern front, which protects the routes of logistics, fuels, and military supply to Crimea. The port on the port cities like Marriupol in the same region strengthens Russia’s grip on the coastline of Azov Sea, limiting Ukrainian naval activity and Russia benefits from marine commerce and military appearance. It is like a treasure for Putin in many ways. Why this is so, now we understand it even more deeply.
Industrial heritage and resources
The raw material of Donbas is especially coking coal work and heavy industry axis, although the war has greatly affected the production capacity, from the perspective of Russia, the region can contribute to the region strategy of steel, machine manufacturing and energy supply in future. The steel plants of Mariaupol Azovastal and Ilich are important in both symbolic and practical ways. Through their reconstruction, Russia can carry forward its victorious reconstruction in domestic level.
The impact of Russia-Ukraine’s war can be seen on Donnetsk.
The role of this region in making political ideological negative
In the domestic messages of Kremlin, Donbas is placed in the frame of protecting Russian -speaking citizens, historical justice and security of Russia. Historical concepts of Great Patriotic War, Soviet Industrial Pride, and Neworosia’s historical concepts, together make Donnetsk an ideological symbol for Russia. Victory for domestic audiences presents evidence of the validity, strength and perseverance of power, especially when the long war increases economic and human price.
Military balance and buffer zone
The grip on Donetsk acts as a buffer zone for Russia, claiming that its border areas and the security of Crimea have improved. This region is equally necessary for Ukraine as Slaviansk Kramatorsk Druzkivaka is very important in terms of triangles, lines, rail and logistics. This is the reason that the fight here has been multi -layered, slow and highly expensive.
Will Putin stop the war as soon as Donnetsk is achieved?
The easier it seems to hear, the more difficult it is. The decision to stop the war does not depend only on the occupation of the land. This includes domestic politics, military strategic assessment, international pressure, intensity of economic sanctions and future security arrangements. Russia can declare that it has succeeded in achieving the ground corridor till the liberation of Donbas and Crimea, the major goals of the special military campaign.
For the Russian public, it can become a great message -like nemature. If this happens, Russia will get an opportunity to restructure military resources. This is complex because Russia’s demands cannot only be limited to Donnetsk, they will also depend on the safety guarantee, Ukraine’s future military status, relationships with NATO and other South Eastern Ukrainian regions. Russia also wants Ukraine not to help NATO. In such a situation, no one can take this guarantee that the war will stop or there will be no further struggle. Because Ukraine is not going to give all this easily. This area can be important for both countries strategically, but the first right is of Ukraine.
What will be the benefit of Russia?
Russia will get immediate military strategic benefits by occupying the region. The logistics supply will be simple due to rail and road connecting east and southern fronts. Control of Azov Sea coastline reduces naval risk and increases land -based air defense and missile deployment options. Economically, long -term possibilities may include reconstruction contract, use of mining resources, and integration of industrial assets.
Limits and costs of advantage
The war has caused a lot of damage to the economy, infrastructure and population of Donetsk. The closure of mines, loss of industrial assets, migration of skilled workers and damage to urban structures, can pull the reconstruction for years.
Investment and technical modernization will be difficult due to restrictions and geo political uncertainty. Administrative integration and validity crisis will also remain, without international recognition, long -term economic benefits can be limited. Military, also, the cost of handling long advance rows, pressure on human resources and frequent demand for weapon ammunition, balances the benefits obtained.
International Law and Diplomacy
The sovereignty and regional integrity of Ukraine have comprehensive international support. Many proposals of the United Nations General Assembly call the actions of 2014 and 2022 illegal. In this situation, control over Donetsk may be useful for Russia’s domestic erection, but not automatically found in international validity and restrictions. A durable system of peace or ceasefire will require safety guarantee, monitoring mechanisms, and political agreements between the two sides and the leading external players. Only regional occupation does not guarantee long -term stability. In such a situation, this path is not easy for Russia.
Ukraine’s view is also important
Donnetsk for Ukraine is not only an economic industrial property, but also a symbolic and strategic field. Cities such as Slaviansk Kramatorsk are important for command and control, logistics and morale. The issue of Donbas’s return, homecoming of displaced citizens, and restoration of national sovereignty is extremely sensitive in Ukrainian society. Therefore, it is difficult to assume that Ukraine will accept permanent peace by losing Donnetsk.
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