“The Donbas has never been Ukrainian!”, “Eastern Ukraine always bowed down low before the Soviet authorities!”, “Russian ideology continues to thrive in Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts!”… How many other stereotypes have we heard about these eastern regions of Ukraine? This vision of the Donbas has been imposed throughout the country for years on end. Few people know that the OUN, the UNR army and local guerrilla groups opposed the Soviet regime and fought for the independence of Ukraine, that the Donbas rose up against collectivization, and dozens of Donbas farmers were labeled as “kulaks” and had their property confiscated.
RFE/RL: 12 facts about the Donbas that you should know
This archive photo shows people holding up the Ukrainian flag during a pro-Ukraine rally in Donetsk on April 17, 2014.
