Why does Russia want Ukraine’s Donbas region?

Ukrainian servicemen practice combat drills involving a BMP-1 in Donbas, Ukraine, as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, on March 19, 2024 [Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency]

As leaders of Russia, Ukraine, the United States and Europe met to discuss a possible Russia-Ukraine war endgame, one part of Ukraine drew increasing attention: The Donbas, an industrial region in the eastern part of the country that has been a primary battlefield in the current war.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, it has come to control a majority – but not all of – the Donbas.