The Donbas is populated mainly by Russian peopleFalse. The regions in question identified as Ukrainian, and by a solid majority (55-45) in the most recent census. Yes -- even Russian speakers identified as "Ukrainian" when given the choice. And just because 45 percent identified as "Russian", for most this was a matter of linguistic identification, nothing more. It doesn't mean they were irredentist, or actually wanted to live in Putin's Russia.
Who had been in a civil war
False. In no sense was the 2014 conflict ever a "civil war". It was led, orchestrated, and fought by Russian nationals from the very start. This is openly acknowledged by Russian sources, including the very people who organized the initial skirmishes, and there's really no controversy about it.
2014 Maidan coup
There was no "coup" either, and these factual inversions are starting to get very tedious to correct.
But for those interested in more detail: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40481317
They wanted to join the Russian Federation for years
Not "they" as in a majority, or even a near-majority. Some did, but the Novorossiya movement as such was quite small pre-2014.
You found zero evidence that Russia wants to expand its borders.
Putin has already openly expressed his wish to annex the currently occupied territories (and then some) into the RF.
False. The regions in question identified as Ukrainian, and by a solid majority (55-45) in the most recent census. Yes -- even Russian speakers identified as "Ukrainian" when given the choice. And just because 45 percent identified as "Russian", for most this was a matter of linguistic identification, nothing more. It doesn't mean they were irredentist, or actually wanted to live in Putin's Russia.
Who had been in a civil war
False. In no sense was the 2014 conflict ever a "civil war". It was led, orchestrated, and fought by Russian nationals from the very start. This is openly acknowledged by Russian sources, including the very people who organized the initial skirmishes, and there's really no controversy about it.
2014 Maidan coup
There was no "coup" either, and these factual inversions are starting to get very tedious to correct.
But for those interested in more detail: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40481317
They wanted to join the Russian Federation for years
Not "they" as in a majority, or even a near-majority. Some did, but the Novorossiya movement as such was quite small pre-2014.
You found zero evidence that Russia wants to expand its borders.
Putin has already openly expressed his wish to annex the currently occupied territories (and then some) into the RF.