Why Russia Wants Ukraine’s Donbas Region

The war between Russia and Ukraine has placed one region at the center of global attention — the Donbas. This industrial and resource-rich area in eastern Ukraine has been one of the primary battlefields since Russia’s invasion in 2022. Today, Moscow controls all of Luhansk and part of Donetsk, while Ukraine holds key cities such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that any peace settlement must recognize full Russian control over the Donbas. But for Ukraine, giving up this territory would mean rewarding an invasion — something President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected.

Economic Importance of Donbas

Historically, the Donbas was one of the most industrialized regions of the Soviet Union. Though it declined after the Cold War, it still holds:

Rich mineral resources

Fertile farmland, considered among the best in the world

Strategic cities like Mariupol, a key port on the Black Sea

These assets make the region valuable both economically and militarily.

Strategic and Military Significance

The Donbas is not just about resources — it is also about strategy. As the longest-running battlefield in the current war, control of the area carries enormous symbolic and military weight. Losing it would weaken Ukraine’s defensive position, while holding it gives Russia a stronger hand in negotiations.

Experts also suggest that for Putin, holding the Donbas is a way to provoke the West and maintain pressure on Ukraine.

Symbolism and Identity

Perhaps the most powerful factor behind Russia’s claims is symbolism.

The Donbas has a large population of Russian speakers, many of whom moved there during Soviet times.

It played a central role in Soviet mythology, representing the ideal “Soviet worker.”

Putin has used narratives about protecting Russian speakers — even when evidence is thin — to justify the invasion.

Analysts argue that Russia’s connection to the Donbas is less about current local sentiment and more about the idea of a “Russian world” (Russkiy Mir) that Putin wants to rebuild.

Are Russia’s Claims Legitimate?

Russia argues that Ukraine was part of “greater Russia” for centuries and that Russian speakers in Donbas want to join Moscow. But history complicates these claims:

In 1994, the Budapest Memorandum recognized Ukraine’s sovereignty in exchange for giving up nuclear weapons — something Russia later violated by annexing Crimea in 2014.

Research shows that most Russian speakers in Ukraine identify as Ukrainian citizens, not as part of Russia. Language does not automatically define political loyalty — much like English-speaking Canadians don’t see themselves as American.

Ukraine’s Position

For Ukraine, the Donbas is non-negotiable. Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that his country cannot abandon the region, and public opinion strongly supports this stance.

Still, some experts suggest Ukraine might eventually accept the reality of Russian control over certain areas — without formally giving up sovereignty. Any such compromise would depend heavily on security guarantees from NATO and Western allies.

Conclusion

The Donbas holds economic, military, and symbolic value for Russia, but its importance goes beyond resources. It is tied to Putin’s vision of a resurgent “Russian world” and his desire to reshape Europe’s security order.

For Ukraine, however, conceding the Donbas would mean betraying its people and legitimizing an invasion. As peace talks continue, this region remains one of the toughest obstacles to ending the war.