The Latest Breaking News from Donetsk

Putin to declare Ukraine provinces Luhansk and Donetsk independent in ‘one-sided breach’ of Minsk deal

The EU had already warned of sanctions if Moscow recognised the regions

The Independent UK · Feb 21, 2022

Putin orders troops into eastern Ukraine on ‘peacekeeping duties’

Russian deployment follows decision to recognise territories in south-east will be viewed in Ukraine and by other western allies as an occupation

The Guardian - UK · Feb 21, 2022

Putin weighs recognition of 2 Ukrainian enclaves as independent states

KHARKIV, Ukraine — Russian President Vladimir Putin called together his top security officials Monday to discuss whether to recognize the independence of two eastern Ukrainian enclaves under the control of Russian-backed separatists — a move that would further inflame tensions already close to a breaking point.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 21, 2022

Factbox-How separatist-held regions of eastern Ukraine have grown closer to Russia

Moscow has cultivated close ties with pro-Russian separatists controlling swathes of the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine but denies being a party to their nearly eight-year war with Ukrainian government forces.

Reuters · Feb 21, 2022

Fears of Ukraine invasion grow as Putin recognises two breakaway Russian-backed regions as independent

West fears change of position by Kremlin on Lukansk and Donetsk could be precursor to the deployment of troops

Evening Standard · Feb 21, 2022

Ukraine crisis: What are the Minsk agreements?

Emmanuel Macron says revival of peace accords from 2014 and 2015 ‘only path on which peace can be built’ as regional Russian aggression continues

The Independent UK · Feb 21, 2022

As it happened: US to impose sanctions on breakaway Ukraine regions following Russian recognition

US President Joe Biden will soon move to prohibit US investment and trade with the self-declared republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, the White House said Monday, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that he would recognise the separatist areas as independent nations. Read about the day's events…

France 24 · Feb 21, 2022

Putin orders Russian forces to Ukraine rebel regions

Ukriane-Russia crisis news from February 21: Russian president says troops to ‘maintain peace’ in Donetsk and Luhansk.

Al Jazeera · Feb 21, 2022

Luhansk and Donetsk regions recognised as as independent states by Russia – as it happened

Russian president has recognised Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions as independent states: Zelenskiy says ‘we are not afraid’. Follow the latest updates

The Guardian - AU · Feb 21, 2022

Blast heard in rebel-held city in eastern Ukraine - Reuters witness

A blast was heard early on Monday in the centre of the city of Donetsk, which is held by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, a Reuters witness said.

Reuters · Feb 20, 2022