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DONETSK, Ukraine - The Russian separatist-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, also known as the Donbas, have been witnessing war since they declared independence from Ukraine in May 2014, bidding to become part of Russia.
The war in Ukraine is in its 13th day and though most of the intense fighting is taking place away from the east, the cities continue to witness sporadic missiles and artillery fire.
“Eight years ago when this war started, I was 15 years old and going to school. These eight years of my life have remained as years full of fear, destruction, and loss of friends and acquaintances,” Margarita Susanina, a resident of Donetsk city, told Rudaw’s Kamiz Shadadi on Sunday.
On Sunday, dozens of mortars and two missiles landed across various neighborhoods of Donetsk city, wounding a woman and destroying several civilian households, according to the Russian-backed Donetsk People's Republic Defense Forces.
Many here believe that the Ukrainian state is against them. Russian media portrays the Ukrainian government as being run by Nazis and claims it is on a mission to cleanse and help Ukraine.
“Russia does not occupy Ukraine, it saves it from Nazism,” Valeriy Xarlamov, a shopkeeper in Donetsk said, echoing the official Russian narrative about the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the people of Donbas in a video address on Saturday, urging them to protect themselves from Russia.
“I know that many of you believed that Ukraine allegedly hates you. Will allegedly attack you. Will allegedly destroy you. Liars on Russian TV talk about it every day,” Zelensky added.
The majority of the population in these areas is made up of ethnic Russians who chose to also breakaway from Ukraine, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the Donbas, leading up to the invasion of Ukraine three days later.
According to the United Nations, around 100,000 people have fled Ukraine to Russia.
Two million Ukrainians have left the country, seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
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