Many fighters are from the Donbas and say it is wrong to assume pro-Russian views predominate in the region
“War is not new to us but this is the war of wars,” said Viktor. “People need to understand that they have come here to destroy us. It is a cycle of history.”
In 2014, half of the Donbas was occupied by Russia’s proxy forces after a coordinated propaganda campaign and military operation that drew support from some of the local population. In occupied Donbas, the isolated economy plummeted and civil liberties vanished. Anyone who complained or went against the regime could be held without trial in detention camps, disappear, or be even executed.
Firsov said he signed up for Kyiv’s territorial defence forces, and after witnessing the aftermath of Russia’s atrocities in Kyiv region, he wanted to join the army. He knew the commanders from Avdiivka and spent a month training as a medic before being deployed.“People think the Donbas is exclusively pro-Russian people but there are lots of people who are against Russia and patriotic,” said Firsov. “People from the rest of Ukraine understand people in Donbas now. This war wasn’t their choice.
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