I have zero knowledge of the history or geopoliticial millieu there, I know there’s obviously lots of Ukrainians who speak both languages but not sure that translates to them wanting to necessarily join Russia per se.

  • Lad@reddthat.com
    322·
    8 hours ago

    Yes. The Donetsk and Luhansk separatist republics were created by pro-Russian Ukranians with Moscow’s backing. Russia officially annexed them in 2022.

    It’s all a bit complicated though. You have ethnic Russians who consider themselves Russian despite being born within the borders of what we known as Ukraine. You also have many who were born in Soviet Ukraine prior to the collapse of the USSR in 1991 who still feel an affinity for Russia. And pro-Russian politics have existed for as long as independent Ukraine has.

    My guess is that even if the war ended today and the borders returned to the pre-2014 borders, there would still be a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine for a very long time.

    • cheese_greater@lemmy.worldOP
      714·
      1 day ago

      Is there anyone who supports Russia who isnt actually on the ol payroll tho? Its almost like nobody actually wants what they “offer” and represent when it comes down to it other than paying them off

      • lemmyseizethemeans@lemmygrad.ml
        102·
        23 hours ago

        Native Russian speakers in Donbass.

        Listen: the issue is about the IMF vs Russian banking. Has nothing to do with the will of the people.

          • lemmyseizethemeans@lemmygrad.ml
            5·
            20 hours ago

            You have to go back to waaay back when. There was a dispute over how Ukraine was going to lean. On the one side they had austerity IMF loans on the other Russian banks saying maybe not so much, so really it’s a war among capitalists for market share. And of course resources, the breadbasket, the access to the black sea military shit. But mostly it’s the opportunity to sell off all the Ukrainian public resources and services to third party capitalists.