After withdrawing its troops from the capital Kyiv, Russia is now focusing on the region of Ukraine close to its border.
Donbas is in Ukraine's south-east and comprises Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
In reality, the rebel separatists have taken control of about one-third of the region since the fighting began in 2014.prompted by then-Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign a free trade agreement with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia. Since then there has been tension in the region, with ongoing fighting between Ukraine and the rebels.
In recent weeks, after failing to take Kyiv, the Kremlin has declared that the capture of Donbas is its main goal in the war.
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