On 21 February 2022, Russiarecognised the LPR and DPR as sovereign states. Three days later, Russia launched afull-scale invasion of Ukraine, partially under the pretext of protecting the republics. Russian forces captured more of Luhansk Oblast (almost all of it),[13] which became part of the LPR. In September 2022, Russia proclaimed theannexation of the LPR and otheroccupied territories, followingreferendums which were considered illegal under international law. TheUnited Nations General Assembly passed aresolution calling on countries not to recognise what it called the "attempted illegal annexation" and demanded that Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw".[14]
Geography
The 2014 constitution of the Luhansk People's Republic (art. 54.1) defined the territory of the republic as "determined by the borders existing on the day of establishment", without describing the borders.[15] From February 2015 up until February 2022, the LPR'sde facto borders were the Russo–Ukrainian border (south and east), the border between Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast and Donetsk Oblast (west), and the line of contact with Ukrainian troops (north) as defined in the Minsk agreements between Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE. When the Russian president announced recognition of the republics' independence on February 22, 2022, he said "we recognized all their fundamental documents, including the constitution. And the constitution spells out the borders within the Donetsk and Luhansk regions at the time when they were part of Ukraine".[16]
Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast and the Russian-controlled area from April 2014 to February 2022 are bothlandlocked.
The highest point in left-bank Ukraine is Mohyla Mechetna hill (367.1 m (1,204 ft) above sea level), which is located in the vicinity of the city ofPetrovske, in Russian-controlled territory.[17]
In December 2017, approximately 1.4 million lived in the LPR's territory, with 435,000 in the city of Luhansk.[18] Leaked documents suggest that less than three million people, less than half of the pre-war population, remained in the separatist territories that Moscow controlled in eastern Ukraine in early February 2022, and 38% of those remaining werepensioners.[19]
On 18 February 2022, the LPR and DPR separatist authorities ordered a general evacuation of women and children to Russia, and the next day a full mobilisation of males "able to hold a weapon in their hands".[20]
Luhansk and Donetsk People's republics are located in the historical region ofDonbas, which was added to Ukraine in 1922.[23] The majority of the population speaks Russian as their first language. Attempts by various Ukrainian governments to question the legitimacy of the Russian culture in Ukraine had since theDeclaration of Independence of Ukraine often resulted in political conflict. In the Ukrainian national elections, a remarkably stable pattern had developed, where Donbas and the Western Ukrainian regions had voted for the opposite candidates since the presidential election in 1994.Viktor Yanukovych, a Donetsk native, had been elected as a president of Ukraine in 2010. His overthrow in the2014 Ukrainian revolution led to protests in Eastern Ukraine, which gradually escalated into an armed conflict between the newly formed Ukrainian government and the local armed militias.[24]
In 2011, Ukrainian Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts had a combined population of 6,1mln. As a result of Russian military aggression in 2014, 2 million had to leave the region as refugees. After full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, under the false pretext of "genocide of Russian speakers", another approx. 3 mln. either fled or were killed, resulting in total in 80% decrease of Donbas population. According to political scientistTaras Kuzio, this amounts to "destruction, depopulation, and genocide".[25]
The occupation of theSecurity Service of Ukraine building in LuhanskA Luhansk People's Republic People's Militia member in June 2014A demonstration in Luhansk, 1 May 2014
On 5 March 2014, 12 days after the protesters in Kyiv seized the president's office (at the timeUkrainian PresidentViktor Yanukovych had already fled Ukraine[26]),[27] a crowd of people in front of the Luhansk Oblast State Administration building proclaimedAleksandr Kharitonov as "People's Governor" in Luhansk region. On 9 March 2014 Luganskaya Gvardiya of Kharitonov stormed the government building in Luhansk and forced the newly appointedGovernor of Luhansk Oblast,Mykhailo Bolotskykh, to sign a letter of resignation.[28]
One thousand pro-Russian activists seized and occupied theSecurity Service of Ukraine (SBU) building in the city ofLuhansk on 6 April 2014, following similar occupations inDonetsk andKharkiv.[29][30] The activists demanded that separatist leaders who had been arrested in previous weeks be released.[29] In anticipation of attempts by the government to retake the building, barricades were erected to reinforce the positions of the activists.[31][32] It was proposed by the activists that a "Lugansk Parliamentary Republic" be declared on 8 April 2014, but this did not occur.[33][34] By 12 April, the government had regained control over the SBU building with the assistance of local police forces.[35]
Several thousand protesters gathered for a 'people's assembly' outside the regional state administration (RSA) building in Luhansk city on 21 April. These protesters called for the creation of a 'people's government', and demanded either federalisation of Ukraine or incorporation of Luhansk into theRussian Federation.[36] They electedValery Bolotov as 'People's Governor' of Luhansk Oblast.[37] Two referendums were announced by the leadership of the activists. One was scheduled for 11 May, and was meant to determine whether the region would seek greater autonomy (and potentially independence), or retain its previous constitutional status within Ukraine. Another referendum, meant to be held on 18 May in the event that the first referendum favoured autonomy, was to determine whether the region would join the Russian Federation, or become independent.[38]
Valery Bolotov proclaims the Act of Independence of the Luhansk People's Republic, 12 May 2014
During a gathering outside the RSA building on 27 April 2014, pro-Russian activists proclaimed the "Luhansk People's Republic".[39] The protesters issued demands, which said that the Ukrainian government should provide amnesty for all protesters, include the Russian language as an official language of Ukraine, and also hold a referendum on the status of Luhansk Oblast.[39] They then warned the Ukrainian government that if it did not meet these demands by 14:00 on 29 April, they would launch an armed insurgency in tandem with that of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).[39][40]
As the Ukrainian government did not respond to these demands, 2,000 to 3,000 activists, some of them armed, seized the RSA building, and a local prosecutor's office, on 29 April.[41] The buildings were both ransacked, and then occupied by the protesters.[42] Protestors waved local flags, alongside those of Russia and the neighbouring Donetsk People's Republic.[43] The police officers that had been guarding the building offered little resistance to the takeover, and some of them defected and supported the activists.[44]
Territorial expansion
Demonstrations by pro-Russian activists began to spread across Luhansk Oblast towards the end of April. The municipal administration building inPervomaisk was overrun on 29 April 2014, and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) flag was raised over it.[45][46]Oleksandr Turchynov, then acting president of Ukraine, admitted the next day that government forces were unable to stabilise the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.[47] On the same day, activists seized control of theAlchevsk municipal administration building.[48] InKrasnyi Luch, the municipal council conceded to demands by activists to support the 11 May 2014 referendum, and followed by raising the Russian flag over the building.[45]
Insurgents occupied the municipal council building inStakhanov (now Kadiivka) on 1 May 2014. Later in the week, they stormed the local police station, business centre, and SBU building.[49][50] Activists inRovenky occupied a police building there on 5 May, but quickly left.[51] On the same day, the police headquarters inSlovianoserbsk was seized by members of theArmy of the South-East, a pro-Russian Luhansk regional militia group.[52][53] In addition, the town ofAntratsyt was occupied by theDon Cossacks.[54][55]
Some said that the occupiers came from Russia;[56] the Cossacks themselves said that only a few people among them had come from Russia.[57] On 7 May, insurgents also seized the prosecutor's office inSievierodonetsk.[58] Luhansk People's Republic supporters stormed government buildings inStarobilsk on 8 May, replacing the Ukrainian flag with that of the Republic.[59] Sources within the UkrainianMinistry of Internal Affairs said that as of 10 May 2014, the day before the proposed status referendum, Ukrainian forces still retained control over 50% of Luhansk Oblast.[60]
A ballot paper sample for the referendum: "Do you support the declaration of state independence of the Lugansk People's Republic? Yes or No"
The planned referendum on the status of Luhansk oblast was held on 11 May 2014.[61] The organisers of the referendum said that 96.2% of those who voted were in favour of self-rule, with 3.8% against.[62] They said that voter turnout was at 81%. There were no international observers present to validate the referendum.[62]
Following the referendum, the head of the Republic,Valery Bolotov, said that the Republic had become an "independent state".[63] The still-extant Luhansk Oblast Council did not support independence, but called for immediate federalisation of Ukraine, asserting that "an absolute majority of people voted for the right to make their own decisions about how to live".[64][65] The council also requested an immediate end to Ukrainian military activity in the region, amnesty for anti-government protestors, and official status for the Russian language in Ukraine.[65]
Valery Bolotov was wounded in an assassination attempt on 13 May.[66] Luhansk People's Republic authorities blamed the incident on the Ukrainian government. Government forces later captured Alexei Rilke, the commander of theArmy of the South-East.[67] The next day, Ukrainian border guards arrested Valery Bolotov. Just over two hours later, after unsuccessfully attempting negotiations, 150 to 200 armed separatists attacked the Dovzhansky checkpoint where he had been held. The ensuing firefight led Ukrainian government forces to free Bolotov.[68]
On 24 May 2014 the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic jointly announced their intention to form aconfederative "union of People's Republics" calledNew Russia.[69] Republic President Valery Bolotov said on 28 May that the Luhansk People's Republic would begin to introduce its own legislation based onRussian law; he saidUkrainian law was unsuitable due to it being "written for oligarchs".[citation needed] Vasily Nikitin, prime minister of the Republic, announced that elections to the State Council would take place in September.[70]
The leadership of the Luhansk People's Republic said on 12 June 2014 that it would attempt to establish a "union state" with Russia.[71] The government added that it would seek to boost trade with Russia through legislative, agricultural and economic changes.[71]
Stakhanov (now Kadiivka), a city that had been occupied by LPR-affiliatedDon Cossacks, seceded from the Luhansk People's Republic on 14 September 2014.[72][failed verification] Don Cossacks there proclaimed theRepublic of Stakhanov, and said that a "Cossack government" now ruled in Stakhanov.[72][73] However the following day this an unnamed Don Cossack leader stated this to be a fabrication, and said the 14 September meeting had, in fact, resulted in 12,000 Cossacks volunteering to join the LPR forces.[74] Elections to the LPR Supreme Council took place on 2 November 2014, as the LPR did not allow theUkrainian parliamentary election to be held in territory under its control.[75][76]
Human rights in the early stages of the war
A damaged electronics shop in Luhansk, August 2015
In May 2014, theUnited Nations observed an "alarming deterioration" of human rights in insurgent-held territory in eastern Ukraine.[77] The UN detailed growing lawlessness, documenting cases of targeted killings, torture, and abduction, carried out by Luhansk People's Republic insurgents.[78] The UN also highlighted threats, attacks, and abductions of journalists and international observers, as well as the beatings and attacks on supporters of Ukrainian unity.[78] An 18 November 2014 United Nations report oneastern Ukraine declared that the Luhansk People's Republic was in a state of "total breakdown of law and order".[79]
The report noted "cases of serious human rights abuses by the armed groups continued to be reported, including torture, arbitrary and incommunicado detention,summary executions, forced labour, sexual violence, as well as the destruction and illegal seizure of property may amount tocrimes against humanity".[79] The report also stated that the insurgents violated the rights of Ukrainian-speaking children because schools in rebel-controlled areas only teach in Russian.[79] The United Nations also accused theUkrainian Army andUkrainian (volunteer) territorial defence battalions of human rights abuses such as illegal detention, torture and ill-treatment, noting official denials.[79] In a 15 December 2014 press conference inKyivUN Assistant Secretary-General forhuman rightsIvan Šimonović stated that the majority of human rights violations, including executions without trial, arrests and torture, were committed in areas controlled by pro-Russian rebels.[80]
In November 2014,Amnesty International called the "People's Court" (public trials where allegedly random locals are the jury) held in the Luhansk People's Republic "an outrageous violation of the international humanitarian law".[81]
In December 2015 theOSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine reported "Parallel 'justice systems' have begun operating" in territory controlled by the Luhansk People's Republic.[82] They criticised this judiciary to be "non-transparent, subject to constant change, seriously under-resourced and, in many instances, completely non-functional".[82]
Static war period (2015–2022)
On 1 January 2015, forces loyal to the Luhansk People's Republic ambushed and killedAlexander Bednov, head of a pro-Russian battalion called "Batman". Bednov was accused of murder, abduction and other abuses. An arrest warrant for Bednov and several other battalion members had been previously issued by the separatists' prosecutor's office.[83][84][85]
On 12 February 2015, DPR and LPR leadersAlexander Zakharchenko andIgor Plotnitsky signed theMinsk II agreement, although without any mention of their self-proclaimed titles or the republics.[86] In the Minsk agreement it is agreed to introducing amendments to theUkrainian constitution "the key element of which isdecentralisation" and the holding of elections "on temporary order of local self-governance in particular districts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, based in the line set up by theMinsk Memorandum as of 19 September 2014"; in return rebel held territory would be reintegrated into Ukraine.[86][87] Representatives of the DPR and LPR continue to forward their proposals concerning Minsk II to theTrilateral Contact Group on Ukraine.[88] Plotnitsky told journalists on 18 February 2015: "Will we be part of Ukraine? This depends on what kind of Ukraine it will be. If it remains like it is now, we will never be together."[89]
On 20 May 2015, the leadership of the Federal State ofNovorossiya announced the termination of the confederation 'project'.[90]
On 19 April 2016, planned (organised by the LPR) local elections were postponed from 24 April to 24 July 2016.[91] On 22 July 2016, this elections was again postponed to 6 November 2016.[92] (On 2 October 2016, the DPR and LPR held "primaries" in were voters voted to nominate candidates for participation in the 6 November 2016 elections.[93] Ukraine denounced these "primaries" as illegal.[93])
The "LPR Prosecutor General's Office" announced late September 2016, that it had thwarted a coup attempt ringleaded by former LPR appointed prime ministerGennadiy Tsypkalov (who they stated had committed suicide on 23 September while in detention).[94] Meanwhile, it had also imprisoned former LPR parliamentary speakerAleksey Karyakin and former LPR interior minister, Igor Kornet.[95] DPR leader Zakharchenko said he had helped to thwart the coup (stating "I had to send a battalion to solve their problems").[95]
On 4 February 2017, LPR defence minister Oleg Anashchenko was killed in a car bomb attack in Luhansk.[96] Separatists claimed "Ukrainian secret services" were suspected of being behind the attack; while Ukrainian officials suggested Anashchenko's death may be the result of an internal power struggle among rebel leaders.[96]
On 21 November 2017,armed men in unmarked uniforms took up positions in the center of Luhansk in what appeared to be a power struggle between the head of the republic Plotnitsky and the (sacked by Plotnitsky) LPR appointed interior minister Igor Kornet.[98][99] Media reports stated that the DPR had sent armed troops to Luhansk the following night.[98][99] Three days later the website of the separatists stated that Plotnitsky had resigned "for health reasons. Multiple war wounds, the effects of blast injuries, took their toll."[100] The website stated that security ministerLeonid Pasechnik had been named acting leader "until the next elections."[100]
Plotnitsky was stated to become the separatist's representative to theMinsk process.[100] Plotnitsky himself did not issue a public statement on 24 November 2017.[100] Russian media reported that Plotnitsky had fled the unrecognised republic on 23 November 2017, first travelling from Luhansk toRostov-on-Don by car and then flying toMoscow'sSheremetyevo airport.[101] On 25 November the 38-member separatist republic's People's Council unanimously approved Plotnitsky's resignation.[102] Pasechnik declared his adherence to theMinsk accords, claiming "The republic will be consistently executing the obligations taken under these agreements."[103]
In June 2019 Russia started givingRussian passports to the inhabitants of the LPR andDonetsk People's Republic under a simplified procedure allegedly on "humanitarian grounds" (such as enabling international travel for eastern Ukrainian residents whose passports have expired).[104] According toUkrainian press by mid-2021 half a million Russian passports had been received by local residents.[105] DeputyKremlin Chief of StaffDmitry Kozak stated in a July 2021 interview withPolitique internationale that 470 thousand local residents had received a Russian passport; he added that "as soon as the situation inDonbas is resolved....The general procedure for granting citizenship will be restored."[106]
In early June 2020, the LPR declared Russian as the only state language on its territory, removing Ukrainian from its school curriculum.[107] Previously the separatist leaders had made Ukrainian LPR's second state language, but in practice it was already disappearing from school curricula prior to June 2020.[108]
In January 2021 the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic stated in a "Russian Donbas doctrine" that they aimed to seize all of the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast under control by the Ukrainian government "in the near future."[109] The document did not specifically state the intention of DPR and LPR to be annexed by Russia.[109]
Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, is shown in pink. Pink in theDonbas region represents areas held by the DPR/LPR in September 2014 (cities in red)
The Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) initially sought recognition as asovereign state following its declaration of independence in April 2014. Subsequently, the LPR willingly acceded to the Russian Federation as aRussian federal subject in September–October 2022, effectively ceasing to exist as a sovereign state in any capacity and revoking its status as such in the eyes of the international community. The LPR claimsdirect succession to Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast.
From 2014 to 2022, Ukraine, the United Nations, and most of the international community regarded the LPR as an illegal entity occupying a portion of Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast(see:International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War). The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), which had a similar backstory, was regarded in the exact same way. Crimea's status wastreated slightly differently since Russia annexed that territory immediately after its declaration of independence in March 2014.
Up until February 2022, Russia did not recognise the LPR, although it maintained informal relations with the LPR. On 21 February 2022, Russia officially recognised the LPR and the DPR at the same time,[110] marking a major escalation in the2021–2022 diplomatic crisis between Russia and Ukraine. Three days later, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the entire country of Ukraine, partially under the pretext of protecting the LPR and the DPR. The war had wide-reaching repercussions for Ukraine, Russia, and the international community as a whole(see:War crimes,Humanitarian impact,Environmental impact,Economic impact, andUkrainian cultural heritage). In September 2022, Russia made moves to consolidate the territories that it had occupied in Ukraine, includingDonetsk,Kherson,Luhansk, andZaporizhzhia Oblasts. Russiaofficially annexed these four territories in September–October 2022.
Between February 2022 and October 2022, in addition to receiving Russian recognition, the LPR was recognised by North Korea (13 July 2022)[111] and Syria (29 June 2022).[112][113] This means that three United Nations member states recognised the LPR in total throughout its period of claimed independence. The LPR was also recognised by three other breakaway entities: the DPR, South Ossetia (19 June 2014),[114] and Abkhazia (25 February 2022).[115]
Relations with Ukraine
The Ukrainian government passed the "Law on the special status of Donbas [uk]" on 16 September 2014, which designated a special status within Ukraine on certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in line with theMinsk agreements. The status lasted for three years, and then was extended annually several times.[116]
During most of its lifetime, Russia did not recognise the LPR as a state. It nevertheless recognised official documents issued by the LPR authorities, such as identity documents, diplomas, birth and marriage certificates and vehicle registration plates.[118] This recognition was introduced in February 2017[118] and enabled people living in LPR-controlled territories to travel, work or study in Russia.[118] According to the presidential decree that introduced it, the reason for the decree was "to protect human rights and freedoms" in accordance with "the widely recognised principles of international humanitarian law."[119] Ukrainian authorities decried the decree and claimed that it was contradictory to the Minsk II agreement, and also that it "legally recognised the quasi-state terrorist groups which cover Russia's occupation of part ofDonbas."[120]
On 21 February 2022, the Russian government recognised the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics in dawn of2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. During the invasion, forces from the LPR fought together with Russian forces against Ukraine. On 3 July 2022, Russia claimed to have full control over Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast.[121]
Full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022–present)
On 21 February 2022,Russia recognised the independence of the DPR and LPR.[122] The next day, theFederation Council of Russia authorised the use of military force, and Russian forces openly advanced into both territories.[123] Russian presidentVladimir Putin declared that the Minsk agreements "no longer existed", and that Ukraine, not Russia, was to blame for their collapse.[124] A military attack into Ukrainian government-controlled territory began on the morning of 24 February,[125] when Putinannounced a "special military operation" to "demilitarise anddenazify" Ukraine.[126][127]
On May 6, as part of theeastern Ukraine offensive, theRussian Armed Forces and Luhansk People's Republic military started abattle to capture Sievierodonetsk, the de facto administrative capital ofUkrainian-controlledLuhansk Oblast. On 25 June 2022, Sievierodonetsk was fully occupied by Russian and separatist forces. This was followed by the capture ofLysychansk on 3 July, which brought all of Luhansk Oblast under the control of Russian and separatist forces.
The entirety of Luhansk Oblast was controlled by pro-Russian forces for a period of approximately two months. However, as part of aUkrainian counteroffensive on theeastern front, one village,Bilohorivka was likely recaptured by Ukrainian forces by 10 September.[128]
On 19 September 2022, the People's Councils in both the Luhansk People's Republic and theDonetsk People's Republic appealed to their respective heads of state to "immediately" conduct referendums on joining Russia.[129][130][131] The next day, the LPR's People's Council scheduled a referendum on the republic's entry into Russia as afederal subject for 23–27 September.[132][133] However, this referendum is widely considered a sham due to the lack of international monitoring.[134] As a result, many countries rejected this referendum as illegal because of its violation on Ukraine'sterritorial integrity.[135]
On 28 September, following the end of theannexation referendums, Russia reported the results as widely in favour of annexation. In the LPR, it was alleged that 98% voted in favour with a 94% turnout.[136] Following this announcement,Leonid Pasechnik, the Head of the Luhansk People's Republic, said that he plans on visiting Moscow to request the admission of Luhansk into the Russian Federation.[137]
On 30 September 2022, Russia's presidentVladimir Putin addressed theRussian parliament and announced theannexation of four regions that held the referendums, including the Luhansk People's Republic.[138][139] On 12 October 2022, theUnited Nations General Assembly passedResolution ES-11/4 condemning the referendum and annexation processes as inconsistent with theUN Charter.[140] The resolution received a vast majority of 143 countries in support of condemning Russia's annexation, 35 abstaining, and only 5 against condemning Russia's annexation.[141]
Politics
Head of the Luhansk People's Republic
Leonid Pasechnik
TheHead of the Luhansk People's Republic is the highest office of the Luhansk People's Republic. The following persons have occupied the post:
Igor Plotnitsky(born 1964) 4 November 2014 – 24 November 2017 (Acting Head 14 August 2014 – 4 November 2014), Peace to Luhanshchina[100][144][145]
Leonid Pasechnik(born 1970) 21 November 2018 – Incumbent (Acting Head 24 November 2017 – 21 November 2018[146] and since 4 October 2022[147]), Peace to Luhanshchina, thenUnited Russia[148]
Government
The post of Prime Minister was occupied by the following persons:
ThePeople's Council of the Luhansk People's Republic[149][150] (Russian:Народный Совет Луганской Народной Республики,romanised: Narodnyy Sovet Luganskoy Narodnoy Respubliki), functions as theregional parliament.
Prior to its annexation into Russia, the Luhansk People's Republic maintained two political parties.
Peace to Luhanshchina [ru][e] a self described "centrist" party that sought an independent Luhansk oblast, it was the personal political machine ofLeonid Pasechnik and largely reflected his own personal political views. The party was described as Luhansk'sUnited Russia, winning a super-majority in all elections, and having unlimited political power over the breakaway Republic. Following Russian annexation, the party was absorbed into United Russia.[151]
Luhansk Economic Union a self described "liberal-conservative" party that acted as a controlled opposition to Pasechnik, agreeing to most, if not all of his policies, only offering soft opposition on select economic issues. The party never received more than 25% of the vote and was established to create the illusion of a functioning democracy in the Luhansk People's Republic.[151]
The first parliamentary elections to the legislature of the Luhansk People's Republic were held on 2 November 2014.[152] People of at least 30 years old who "permanently resided in Luhansk People's Republic the last 10 years" were electable for four years and could be nominated by public organisations.[152] All residents of Luhansk Oblast were eligible to vote, even if they are residents of areas controlled by Ukrainian government forces or fled to Russia or other places in Ukraine as refugees.[75]
Ukraine urged Russia to use its influence to stop the election "to avoid afrozen conflict".[153] Russia on the other hand indicated it "will of course recognise the results of the election"; Russia's Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov stated that the election "will be important to legitimise the authorities there".[76] Ukraine held the2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election on 26 October 2014; these were boycotted by the Donetsk People's Republic and hence voting for it did not take place in Ukraine's eastern districts controlled by forces loyal to the Luhansk People's Republic.[76][153]
On 6 July 2015 the Luhansk People's Republic leader (LPR)Igor Plotnitsky set elections for "mayors and regional heads" for 1 November 2015 in territory under his control.[citation needed] (Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) leaderAlexander Zakharchenko issued a decree on 2 July 2015 that ordered local DPR elections to be held on 18 October 2015. He said that this action was "in accordance with theMinsk agreements".[154]) On 6 October 2015 the DPR and LPR leadership postponed their planned elections to 21 February 2016.[155]
This happened 4 days after aNormandy four meeting in which it was agreed that the October2015 Ukrainian local elections in LPR and DPR controlled territories would be held in accordance to the February 2015Minsk II agreement.[156] At the meetingPresident of FranceFrançois Hollande stated that in order to hold these elections (in LPR and DPR controlled territories) it was necessary "since we need three months to organize elections" to hold these elections in 2016.[156] Also during the meeting it is believed that Russian PresidentVladimir Putin agreed to use his influence to not allow the DPR and Luhansk People's Republic election to take place on 18 October 2015 and 1 November 2015.[156] On 4 November 2016 both DPR and LPR postponed their local elections, they had set for 6 November 2016, "until further notice".[citation needed]
Additional elections took place simultaneously in Donetsk and Luhansk republics on 11 November 2018. The official position of the U.S. and European union is that this vote is illegitimate because it was not controlled by the Ukrainian government, and that it was contrary to the 2015 Minsk agreement. Leonid Pasechnik, the head of the Luhansk People's Republic, disagreed and said that the vote was in accordance with the Minsk Agreement. The separatist leaders said that the election was a key step toward establishing full-fledged democracy in the regions. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that residents of eastern Ukraine should not to participate in the vote. Nevertheless, both regions reported voter turnout of more than 70 per cent as of two hours before the polls closed at 8 p.m. local time.[157][158][159]
Public opposition in the LPR is virtually non-existent.[19]
In the summer of 2014, there were several secessionist armed groups without a unified command, among themZarya ("Dawn") artillery brigade, "well equipped from Russia", and other "[p]aramilitary units loyal [to] their respective chieftains".[160] ThePeople's Militia of the LPR (Russian:Народная милиция ЛНР) was created in October 2014. By 2016 Russian officers commanded the LPR units from the battalion level up. The former commanders, some of whom retained substantial personal security forces, sometimes acted as deputy commanders.[161]
The government of the Luhansk People's Republic contains ministries for internal affairs, including:[21]
Ministry of Emergency Situations
Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Economic Development
Ministry of Education and Science
Ministry of Fuel, Energy and Coal Industry
Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Ministry of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities
Ministry of Sports
Ministry of Property and Land Relations
Ministry of Youth Policy
Human rights
Freedom House evaluates the eastern Donbas territories controlled by the LPR and DPR as "not free", scoring 4 out of 100 in its 2022Freedom in the World index.[165] Concerns include strict control over politics by the security services, allowing no meaningful opposition, and harsh restrictions on local media. Pro-Ukrainian bloggers and journalists have been given long prison sentences, and people have been arrested for critical posts on social media. Freedom House also reported that there was a "prevailing hostility" to theUkrainian ethnic identity and an "intensifying campaign" against theUkrainian language and identity.
According to Freedom House, basic due process guarantees are not followed and arbitrary arrests and detentions are common. A 2020 UN report said that interviews with released prisoners "confirmed patterns of torture and ill-treatment". Abuse, including torture and sexual violence, has been widely reported to occur in separatist prisons and detention centers.[165]
A 2022 report byAl Jazeera said that "the 'republics' are understood to have evolved into totalitarian,North Korea-like statelets", and that reportedly thousands have been tortured and abused in "cellars" under the separatist authorities.[166]
As of May 2015, pensions started being paid in mostlyRussian rubles by the Luhansk People's Republic. 85% were in rubles, 12% inhryvnias, and 3% indollars according to LPR HeadIgor Plotnitsky.[169] Ukraine completely stopped paying pensions for the elderly and disabled in areas under DPR and LPR control on 1 December 2014.[170]
Claimed by aRussian source on 10 June 2024.[174] Pressured byRussia between around 7–19 July 2024.[175] Contested byRussia between around 20 July – 3 October 2024.[176][177] Claimed captured byRussian sources on 20 July 2024.[176] Confirmed captured byRussia on 4 October 2024.[173]
Raided byRussia on 20 March 2023.[citation needed] Contested byRussia between around 13 July – September 2024.[189] Claimed captured byRussia on 29 September 2024.[190] Confirmed captured byRussia on 16 October 2024.[191]
Claimed contested byRussian sources since around 18–31 May 2024.[193][194] Claimed byRussian sources on 11 June 2024.[174] Captured byRussia around 7 October 2024.[192]
Captured byRussia/LPR in March 2022. Recaptured byUkraine in October 2022. Claimed contested byRussian sources starting 25 June 2024.[212][213] Confirmed contested byRussia between around 14 July – 29 August 2024.[214] Recaptured byRussia on 30 August 2024.[211]
^Romanised from Russian asLugansk People's Republic.
^Figures are from before theRussian invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022. The population living only in areas under LPR control at the time was estimated to be 2,100,000.
^The region is spelled Luhansk or Lugansk, reflecting the Ukrainian[ɦ] versus Russian[ɡ] pronunciation of the Cyrillic letterГ. Luhansk is the more common English spelling, as the region is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine.
^Petro, Nicolai N., Understanding the Other Ukraine: Identity and Allegiance in Russophone Ukraine (1 March 2015). Richard Sakwa and Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, eds., Ukraine and Russia: People, Politics, Propaganda and Perspectives, Bristol, United Kingdom: E-International Relations Edited Collections, 2015, pp. 19–35. Available at SSRN:SSRN2574762
^"Ukraine unrest: Kiev 'helpless' to quell parts of east". BBC News. 30 April 2014.Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved12 May 2014.I would like to say frankly that at the moment the security structures are unable to swiftly take the situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions back under control … More than that, some of these units either aid or co-operate with terrorist groups
^Subramaniam, Tara; Fox, Kara; Hayes, Mike; Sangal, Aditi; Vogt, Adrienne (27 September 2022)."Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine".CNN.Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved27 September 2022.
^Likhachev, Vyacheslav (July 2016)."The Far Right in the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine"(PDF).Russie.NEI.Visions in English. pp. 25–26. Retrieved1 March 2022.The ideas of Russian imperial (and, to some extent, ethnic) nationalism and Orthodox fundamentalism shaped the official ideology of the DNR and LNR. ... It can therefore be argued that the official ideology of the DNR and LNR, which developed under the influence of Russian far-right activists, is largely right-wing, conservative and xenophobic in character.
^abBailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Wolkov, Nicole; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. (20 July 2024)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 20, 2024".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved20 July 2024.Geolocated footage published on July 20 shows Russian forces raising a Russian flag in central Pishchane and indicates that Russian forces have seized the settlement [...] Russian milbloggers claimed on July 19 and 20 that Russian forces completely seized Andriivka
^abBarros, George; Evans, Angelica; Wolkov, Nicole; Gibson, Olivia (23 February 2025)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 23, 2025".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved24 February 2025.Geolocated footage published on February 23 indicates that Russian forces recently seized Bilohorivka and the quarry south of the settlement
^Stepanenko, Kateryna; Hird, Karolina; Kagan, Frederick W.; Barros, George (2 July 2022)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 2".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved3 July 2022.Ukrainian forces likely conducted a deliberate withdrawal from Lysychansk, resulting in the Russian seizure of the city on July 2.
^abcKagan, Frederick W.; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Trotter, Nate; Bailey, Riley; Evans, Angelica; Wolkov, Nicole (16 October 2024)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 16, 2024".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved30 October 2024.Geolocated footage published on October 16 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in northern Nevske and suggests that widespread Russian claims that Russian forces seized the settlement are accurate [...] Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets stated that [Russian forces] [...] seized Makiivka
^abMappes, Grace; Wolkov, Nicole; Barros, George; Evans, Angelica; Kagan, Frederick W. (7 October 2024)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 7, 2024".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved7 October 2024.A Ukrainian military observer stated that Russian forces seized Myasozharivka (west of Svatove) [...] Ukrainian military observers stated on October 6 that Russian forces pushed Ukrainian forces from the poultry farm in eastern Tsukuryne and seized the remainder of the settlement [...] The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian forces seized Hrodivka [...] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces seized Zhelanne Druhe [...] Russian sources reported that the operational tempo in the southern frontline near Kamyanske, Zaporizhia Oblast, is increasing [...] Geolocated footage published on October 6 indicates that Russian forces marginally advanced near Kamyanske and Plavni on the eastern shore of the Kakhovka Reservoir
^Wolkov, Nicole; Harward, Christina; Evans, Angelica; Bailey, Riley; Kagan, Frederick W. (19 May 2024)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 19, 2024".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved20 May 2024.A Russian milblogger claimed on May 18 that Russian forces entered Myasozharivka [...] Geolocated footage published on May 18 indicates that Russian forces advanced during mechanized assaults on May 17 and 18 within and southeast of the Kanal Microraion [...] Geolocated footage published on May 19 indicates that Russian forces advanced [...] in eastern Paraskoviivka
^Bailey, Riley; Harward, Christina; Evans, Angelica; Mappes, Grace; Kagan, Frederick W. (31 May 2024)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 31, 2024".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved10 June 2024.A Russian milblogger claimed on May 31 that Russian forces entered Myasozharivka
^Kagan, Frederick W.; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Gasparyan, Davit; Bailey, Riley; Evans, Angelica; Mappes, Grace (21 September 2024)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 21, 2024".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved21 September 2024.Some Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces also seized Nevske
^Mappes, Grace; Williams, Madison; Klepanchuk, Yekaterina; Howard, Angela; Hird, Karolina; Kagan, Frederick W. (29 November 2022)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 29".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved9 March 2024.Russian sources claimed that Russian forces seized Novoselivske.
^Hird, Karolina; Bailey, Riley; Williams, Madison; Klepanchuk, Yekaterina; Kagan, Frederick W. (30 November 2022)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 30".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved7 March 2024.The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian positions in Novoselivske (14km northwest of Svatove). [...] Geolocated footage posted between November 28 and 29 shows Ukrainian troops claiming to be encircled by Russian troops on the eastern side of Kurdiumivka, about 12km southwest of Bakhmut. Russian sources circulated conflicting reports on the status of control of Kurdiumivka, with some reporting that Ukrainian troops still control the western half of the settlement and that fighting is ongoing while some claimed that Russian troops have taken full control of the settlement and are in the process of clearing Ukrainian positions.
^Bailey, Riley; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Mappes, Grace; Klepanchuk, Yekaterina; Kagan, Frederick W. (2 December 2022)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 2".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved9 March 2024.Geolocated footage published on December 2 showed Russian forces walking around Novoselivske, which indicates that Russian forces have likely regained their positions in the settlement.
^abMappes, Grace; Evans, Angelica; Bailey, Riley; Hird, Karolina; Kagan, Frederick W. (12 November 2023)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 12, 2023".Critical Threats.Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved12 November 2023.Geolocated footage published on November 12 shows that Russian forces advanced to positions west of Serhiivka (13km west of Svatove), corroborating Russian claims that Russian forces captured Serhiivka.
^Wolkov, Nicole; Mappes, Grace; Harward, Christina; Hird, Karolina; Kagan, Frederick W. (25 June 2024)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 25, 2024".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved30 June 2024.A Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the Russian 423rd Motorized Rifle Regiment [...] advanced westward to Stelmakhivka and began fighting within the settlement
^Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Evans, Angelica; Hird, Karolina; Kagan, Frederick W. (26 June 2024)."Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 26, 2024".Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved30 June 2024.Russian sources also claimed that Russian forces entered eastern Stelmakhivka
Note: Forms of nationalism based primarily onethnic groups are listed above. This does not imply that all nationalists with a given ethnicity subscribe to that form ofethnic nationalism.
![Flag of Luhansk People's Republic[b]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aFlag_of_the_Luhansk_People%2527s_Republic.svg)
![Coat of arms of Luhansk People's Republic[b]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aCoat_of_arms_of_Lugansk_People%2527s_Republic.svg)
![Territory of Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast controlled by Russia as LPR shown in red and pink; territory claimed but not controlled shown in cyan[2]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aRussian_occupation_of_Luhansk_Oblast.svg)
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