Two months of Novorossiya: It will be strong - they will recognize it!
More than four months have passed since the beginning of the “Russian Spring” and two months since the proclamation of the Donetsk People’s Republic. During this time, changes on a tectonic scale occurred in the country and society, which few could have predicted in advance.
It all started as a spontaneous protest caused by a coup in Kyiv. It soon became clear that the new Ukrainian government did not suit the residents of the Southeast at all, and a search began for a way out of the situation. Some suggested seeking to expand the rights of the region, some advocated the federalization of Ukraine, and many hoped for joining Russia. Actually, hoping for help from the Russian Federation, “Russian Spring” activists in April moved from rallies to active actions and took control of the regional government bodies. Moreover, before everyone’s eyes stood the example of Crimea, which peacefully returned home. Activists saw their main task as holding a referendum in which Donbass residents could express their opinion about their future. The results of the expression of will would be the legal basis for all further actions.
It was obvious that when voting, the overwhelming majority of Donetsk residents would speak out for independence from Kyiv, after which the provisional administration of the Donetsk Republic would ask to accept the DPR into Russia. Everyone was sure that the Kremlin would agree, and Donbass would come under the protection of “polite people.” Therefore, all the efforts of the pro-Russian organizations of Donbass were devoted to preparing the referendum, which, despite the opposition of Kyiv, was held on May 11.
Thus, by the will of the people, the Donetsk People's Republic arose. However, the Crimean scenario was not repeated, since the Kremlin did not dare to aggravate relations with its Western partners and did not accept Donetsk and Lugansk under its jurisdiction. Because of this, the people of Donetsk completely unexpectedly had to build a real state instead of a temporary and purely decorative statehood.
Moreover, at the same time, the team brought to power by the Maidan was able to subjugate the rest of Ukraine and began an action to pacify Donbass. It began as a police force, quickly turned punitive, and then erupted into a full-scale war. So the conditions for the emergence of DPR cannot be called greenhouse conditions.
To the credit of the authorities of the newly created republic, it must be said that they set to work with enthusiasm and managed to achieve certain results. Today, in Donetsk and a significant part of the region, dual power is over, and all power belongs to DPR activists.
During this time, from a crowd of men armed with clubs and hunting rifles, the Donetsk militia turned into an armed force capable of opposing the regular army on equal terms. Of course, the forces of the young republic still remain relatively small in number, which is why Ukrainian propagandists constantly criticize that ordinary people don’t want to fight, and people don’t need the DPR.
However, we must remember that, according to historians, in the last civil war of 1917-1921, less than 2% of the population was in the armed forces of all warring parties. So in this war, one cannot expect that every resident of Donbass will leave home with his family and take up arms. But this is natural. The bulk of the population in any country wants a calm and well-fed life, and only a small part of the passionate people are eager to fight.
Although, there is one caveat. The Donbass army consists exclusively of volunteers, while the Ukrainian army consists mainly of mobilized military personnel with a small sprinkling of volunteer battalions. It turns out that the percentage of ideological fighters in the DPR is an order of magnitude higher than that of the enemy. This can be regarded as evidence of the greater vitality of the young republic compared to Ukraine.
What else has the DPR government managed to do?
Since the old police had practically disappeared, the new government had to re-create law enforcement agencies. And, if you believe the Prosecutor General of the DPR, then today the wave of crime in Donetsk has been stopped.
In order to interrupt the information impact of Kyiv on the region, DPR specialists managed to create their own television.
The medical system, despite the increased load, continues to operate normally.
A constitution was developed and a set of necessary laws was adopted.
Great efforts were made by the creators of the DPR to ensure that taxes collected from enterprises located in the Donbass were not transferred to Kyiv, but remained in the region. And it looks like it was a success. At least, judging by the statements of activists, starting this month, taxes will go to the republican budget.
Therefore, all participants in the political process in Ukraine need to recognize that, despite all the difficulties, the Donetsk People’s Republic has come to fruition. Of course, for now it is de jure unrecognized by other states of the world, which consider it self-proclaimed. The EU even imposed sanctions against the leaders of the “Russian Spring”, thereby putting them on par with officials of some states.
However, history buffs, tell me, how many modern countries arose in a different way? No, almost all modern states, including the overseas beacon of democracy, arose precisely as self-proclaimed ones.
To better understand the situation, it’s probably worth turning to film classics. Remember the moment in Sergei Eisenstein’s film “Ivan the Terrible”, when young Ivan is crowned king? One of the European ambassadors turns to his colleagues: “Europe does not recognize him as king!”, and another answers him: “If he is strong, he will be recognized!”
So, if the DPR is strong, then sooner or later everyone will recognize its independence from Ukraine.
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