public organization
65-588: The Patriot Group is a non-political public organization engaged in the search for missing, deceased Defenders of Ukraine, facilitating the exchange and release of prisoners due to Russian aggression against Ukraine. Other activities: As a volunteer association, the "Patriot Group" emerged on 07.26.2014 in Sloviansk of Donetsk Oblast. In July, after the battles in the border areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, Ukrainian military had many dead and prisoners. Activist centurion of Maidan, Oleg Kotenko (call sign "Patriot"),
130-622: A Sloviansk still on a war footing. According to the 2001 Ukrainian Census : Total 2001 population: 141,066 Sloviansk is in the valley of the Kazennyi Torets River, a right tributary of the Donets , in the Donbas region. Karachun Mountains are the highest point of Sloviansk, situated to the south of the city. The climate in Sloviansk is a mild to warm summer subtype ( Köppen : Dfb ) of
195-410: A difficult ongoing living situation had resulted in support for the pro-Russian rebels eroding in the near three months that Sloviansk was under their control. The New York Times reported that 'many of the same people' who had once supported the pro-Russia rebels 'rushed into the same square to greet Ukrainian military trucks as soldiers handed out free food. Virtually nobody now admits to having supported
260-643: A fortified Donetsk, led to accusations, and recriminations, from the Ukrainian side. General Serhiy Krivonos, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine , said in 2020 that the Ukrainian Army was aware of the movement of Girkin's columns out of Sloviansk but did not attack the columms: Having some information from our sources from Sloviansk and Kramatorsk , we understood that they [the separatists] would come out. This understanding
325-476: A military hospital of 200 beds was opened near the lake, where mud therapy was used. In 1832, the first resort was established on the shores of Lake Ropne. With the construction of a railway line in 1869, the town grew rapidly, from a population of 5,900 in 1847 to 15,700 by 1897. In April 1918, troops loyal to the Ukrainian People's Republic briefly took control of Sloviansk. Sloviansk was then, along with
390-491: Is Donetsk , though due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War , the regional administration was moved to Kramatorsk . Historically, the region has been an important part of the Donbas region. From its creation in 1938 until November 1961, it bore the name Stalino Oblast , in honour of Joseph Stalin . As part of the de-Stalinization process, it was renamed after the Donets river, the main artery of Eastern Ukraine . Its population
455-449: Is also rich in fertile black earth. Important resources for recreation within the area are: the mild climate, the Sea of Azov coast, curative mud, sources of minerals, and radon and table water. Due to these numerous recreation resources, many resort hotels and camps are located here. There are about 26 health centres and pensions, 52 rest homes and boarding houses, and rest camps for children in
520-483: Is estimated at 4,100,280 (2021 est.). The oblast is known for its urban sprawl of Donetsk – Makiivka and Horlivka – Yenakiieve and it is often associated with the coal mining industry. In 2014, parts of the oblast, including Donetsk, came under the control of Russian-backed separatists who declared the Donetsk People's Republic , leading to a war against government forces ; the de facto administrative center
585-456: Is located within the historic regions of Zaporizhzhia (western and central part), Sloboda Ukraine (northern part) and Pryazovia (southern part). In the mid-18th-century, the north-eastern outskirts formed part of Slavo-Serbia with its capital in Bakhmut . Before the establishment of Donetsk Oblast, three districts ( okruhas ) existed on its territory from 1923 to 1930. The Donets Governorate
650-441: Is no mood of joyous celebration at what Ukrainian officials trumpet as the city’s “liberation.” Anger and animosity bubbles just below the calm surface. In each workplace, everyone knows who did what during rebel rule, creating poisonous currents of suspicion." The population of Sloviansk had fallen to around 80,000 at this time. In 2015, as part of Ukraine's process of decommunization , the fate of Sloviansk's statue of Lenin , in
715-564: Is served by a trolleybus network consisting of two permanent routes and one summer route. Marshrutkas are widely used. The M03 goes by the edge of Sloviansk. In early 2015, Ukraine lost control of the section of this from Debaltsevo on, then in early 2023 Ukraine lost control of the section from Soledar to Debaltsevo. H20 leaves from the city toward Mariupol , via Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, Donetsk, and Volnovakha . Ukraine lost control of part of this highway, around Donetsk, in 2014. The first part of 2022 saw fierce fighting on or around
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#1732854697043780-720: The 1991 referendum , 83.90% of votes in Donetsk Oblast were in favour of the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine , fourth lowest in the country after Crimea, Sevastopol and Luhansk Oblast. A survey conducted in December 2014 by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found 18.5% of the oblast's population supported their region joining Russia, 53.8% did not support the idea, 22.5% were undecided, and 5.2% did not respond; insurgent-controlled areas (which hold over 50% of
845-406: The 1991 referendum . In the mid-1990s, the region became known for its heightened criminal activity, including the killings of high-profile business people such as Akhat Bragin and Yevhen Shcherban . Donetsk Oblast was also a base for Ukraine's main pro-Russian political faction, Party of Regions , which became part of the Ukrainian government in 2002 and paved a way into Ukrainian politics for
910-589: The Crimean attacks and slave raids on the southern suburbs of modern Ukraine and Russia. In 1664, the first salt plant for the extraction of salt was built, and workers began to settle in the area. In 1676, a fortress named Tor was built at the confluence of the Kazenyy Torets and Sukhyy Torets River, where they form the Torets River, a tributary of Donets River . Shortly thereafter, the town of Tor grew up next to
975-422: The humid continental climate . Sloviansk is a nexus of a number of railways and roads. The city is served by three railway passenger stations: Slovianskyi Resort (in the northeast), ‘Mashchormet’ (at the junction), and ' Sloviansk ' (the main station, west of the junction, on the southwest side of the city). Three railway lines leave the city in directions of Lozova , Lyman and Kramatorsk . The local population
1040-579: The war in Donbas . In May 2014, the Ukrainian government lost control over its border with Russia in Donetsk Oblast. On 30 September 2022 Russia, amid its invasion of Ukraine , annexed Donetsk ( Donetsk People's Republic ), Luhansk ( Luhansk People's Republic ), Zaporizhzhia , and Kherson Oblasts. The United Nations General Assembly subsequently passed a resolution calling on countries not to recognise what it described as an "attempted illegal annexation", demanded that Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw", while most nations of
1105-556: The 80th Airborne Brigade and 4 civilians were released. On November 18, activists participated in the release of 7 Ukrainian hostages. On March 3, 2015, hostages were released – 4 soldiers of the 128th Brigade. The release was jointly conducted by the department for the Release of Prisoners of War at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and negotiators of the "Patriot Group". On April 2, 2015, Vasyl Kozak, who had been held hostage since March 16,
1170-522: The 93rd and 51st brigades. On May 19, 2015, two soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine were released from the self-proclaimed "DNR" captives: Ihor Panchyshyn from Lviv, and Mykola Valebny from the village of Mezhyrichchia , Sokal district, Lviv Oblast, who were taken hostage in Debaltseve on February 18, 2015. On July 10, 2015, representatives of the "Patriot Group" participated in negotiations and
1235-513: The Donetsk/Luhansk People's Republics. However, the referendums were not monitored, or endorsed, by any international observers, or organisations, and their results almost universally unrecognised in the west. Russia issued a statement saying they 'respected' the results of the referendums, but stopped short of recognising them. Fighting intensified throughout May, as Ukrainian forces escalated their 'ATO' (Anti-Terror Operation) to retake
1300-486: The Karachun Mountains. This, combined with Strelkov's videos decrying a lack of support, made the rebel retreat an inevitability. A 10-day ceasefire, not entirely observed by either side, ended on 30 June, and in early July, faced with a full-on Ukrainian offensive, Strelkov co-ordinated the retreat of his forces from Sloviansk. Initially they had planned to go to nearby Kramatorsk , however when it became clear that
1365-729: The Mariupol Port, the Donetsk International Airport , passenger airports in Mariupol and Kramatorsk , and dense road systems. In Donetsk Oblast two special economic zones have been created, Donetsk and Azov , which have a privileged tax regime. In 1999, the gross grain yield in the oblast was about 999.1 thousand tons, sugar beets – 27.1 thousand tons, sunflower seeds – 309.4 thousand tons, and potatoes – 380.2 thousand tons. Also, 134.2 thousand tons of meat, 494.3 thousand tons of milk and 646.4 million eggs have been produced. At
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#17328546970431430-433: The Ukrainian army would also take Kramatorsk, which they duly did, most headed to Donetsk , which would then become their stronghold. Sloviansk was one of several territories taken by Ukrainian forces at this time, including the nearby cities of Kramatorsk, and Kostiantynivka . Although Sloviansk's capture was a military victory for Ukrainian forces, the successful co-ordinated retreat of the rebel forces, and fall back to
1495-517: The beginning of 1999 there were 2108 farms within the oblast. Donetsk Oblast's climate is mostly continental, which is characterised by hot summers and relatively cold winters with changeable snow surfaces. East and southeast strong winds, high temperatures and heavy rain showers are typical in the summer. The average annual rainfall is 524 mm. The basic minerals found here are: coal (reserves – 25 billion tons), rock salt , lime carbonate, potassium , mercury , asbestos , and graphite . The area
1560-525: The city of Sviatohirsk with the Sviatohirsk Lavra was nominated for the Seven Wonders of Ukraine . Since 2020, Donetsk Oblast has been divided into eight raions (districts), each named after its administrative center: Each raion is in turn divided up into hromadas . In 2013, the population of Donetsk Oblast was 4.43 million, which constituted 10% of the overall Ukrainian population, making it
1625-703: The city of Stalino (today Donetsk ) took on the role. Until 1938, the Donetsian Oblast included the territories of the modern Donetsk Oblast and the Luhansk Oblast . In June 1938 it was split into the Stalino Oblast (modern Donetsk Oblast) and the Voroshylovhrad Oblast (modern Luhansk Oblast). During the Nazi German occupation from fall 1941 to fall 1943, Donetsk Oblast was known as Yuzivka Oblast (after
1690-516: The city's central square, became a topic of heated debate at council meetings. Large factions from Ukrainian ultra-national groups Svoboda and the Right Sector attended these meetings, in support of the removal / destruction of the statue. There were also locals in favour of keeping the statue, with a petition of 4,500 signatures supporting the Lenin statue remaining. No consensus had been reached, when in
1755-647: The city, and polls showing people in the east of Ukraine to be largely opposed to the Maidan movement in Kyiv. However, Sloviansk would quickly become the epicentre of events following the fallout of the revolution. On 12 April 2014, in the crisis and chaos which gripped the country following the revolution's installing of the First Yatsenyuk government , a reported 55 armed men, led by Russian military veteran Igor Girkin , known as 'Igor Strelkov' stormed Sloviansk, quickly capturing
1820-482: The city, including plastics and the making of vinyl records. Sloviansk reached its peak population of 143,000 in 1987. Sloviansk would remain as part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic until its dissolution in 1991, after which the city became part of an independent Ukraine. The 2014 Ukrainian revolution for the most part passed Sloviansk by, with no large-scale gatherings or events in
1885-609: The city, with a Ukrainian military helicopter shot down at the start of the month, and multiple casualties reported in fighting on both sides. May would also see escalating civilian casualties in Sloviansk, as Ukrainian forces began their assault on the city. On 5 May, 30-year-old Irina Boevets was killed by a stray Ukrainian bullet, as she stepped out on her balcony. The Guardian at the time reported these civilian deaths as "fuelling pro-Russian sentiment". Fighting between sides would wage in May, with increasing intensity. A follow-up referendum to
1950-539: The coal, finished steel, coke, cast iron and steel production in Ukraine. Ferrous metallurgy, fuel industry and power industry are in demand in the structure of industry production. There are about 882 industry enterprises that are on independent balance, and 2,095 small industry enterprises in the oblast. The oblast has a developed transport infrastructure which includes the Donetsk railway (covers 40% of national transportation),
2015-580: The downing as a "terrorist attack," and blamed pro-Russian militants. As June went on, it became clear that the pro-Russia side were losing the battle for Sloviansk, beset by a number of problems, including infighting, with enmity between 'people's mayor' Ponomarev, and Strelkov/Girkin, resulting in Strelkov/Girkin having Ponomarev arrested, and dismissed from his duties, on 12 June. Ukrainian forces further stepped up their shelling of Sloviansk in June. Sloviansk
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2080-449: The early hours of June 3, Right Sector militants tore the statue down. Also in 2015, a plaque to the memory of Volodymyr Rybak , a Ukrainian politician killed by pro-Russian rebels in 2014, was placed in the town center. Although war continued in parts of Donbas, there were no notable incidents in Sloviansk following its recapture by Ukrainian forces in July 2014, until 2022. In 2016, the city
2145-673: The election of their candidate was not recognised. However, no official moves were ever made. At the 2001 Ukrainian National Census , the ethnic groups within Donetsk Oblast were: Ukrainians – 2,744,100 (56.9%), Russians – 1,844,400 (38.2%), Pontic Greeks – 77,500 (1.6%), Belarusians – 44,500 (0.9%), others (2.3%). At the 2001 census, the languages spoken within the oblast were: Russian (spoken by 98.6% of Russians living there, 58.7% of Ukrainians, 58.7% of Greeks, and 85.5% of Belarusians) and Ukrainian (spoken by 41.2% of Ukrainians, 1.3% of Russians, 3.2% of Greeks, and 3.9% of Belarusians). Donetsk Oblast accounts for more than one half of
2210-453: The evacuation of Ukrainian citizens, he awarded one of the members of the negotiation group "Patriot Group" with a badge. In October 2014, negotiators of the "Patriot Group" participated in an exchange near the settlement of Smilyve . Initially, the exchange could not be carried out due to shelling from "grads". Therefore, the release of hostages took place the next day near the settlement of Donetsk. The release of hostages involved fighters of
2275-455: The executive committee building, the police department, and the SBU office of the city. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov described the gunmen as "terrorists" and vowed to use the Ukrainian special forces to retake the buildings. On 13 April 2014, there were reports of fighting between the gunmen and Ukrainian troops, with casualties reported on both sides. The BBC's David Stern described
2340-515: The fascists who had seized power in Kiev with the February ouster of President Victor F. Yanukovych, a Russian-speaker from Donetsk ." Elected mayor of Sloviansk Nelya Shtepa gave a series of contradictory statements on her support for the pro-Russia side, and was then taken captive by the pro-Russia side. Shtepa would be one of several high-profile detainments during rebel control of Sloviansk. On 14 April
2405-403: The first time she had been seen in public since mid-April, and gave a pro-Russian speech on stage, urging people to vote in the referendum scheduled for 11 May. Recently freed rebel leader Pavel Gubarev also appeared on stage. Referendums went ahead across Donbas on 11 May, including Sloviansk, with the pro-Russia side reporting a turnout of near 75%, with over 90% voting for self rule as part of
2470-424: The focal points in the early stages of the war in Donbas , in 2014, as it was one of the first cities to be seized and controlled by Russian-backed rebels (separatists), in mid-April 2014. Ukrainian forces then retook control of the city in July 2014, and since then, Sloviansk has been under Ukrainian control. The 2001 population of Sloviansk was 141,066. Largely due to the ongoing war in Donbas, by early 2022 this
2535-470: The fortress. As several salt lakes were located close by, the town soon became a major producer of salt . During the sixteenth century, salt production was the principal local industry. In 1784, the city was renamed Slovenske, and a decade later, Sloviansk (Slavyansk). In 1827, military doctor A. Yakovlev was the first to use mud treatment and bathing in Lake Ropne to treat sick soldiers. Four years later,
2600-472: The highway, and by summer of 2022, Ukraine had lost control of the H20 highway, from around Donetsk onto Mariupol. Christian churches: Donetsk Oblast Donetsk Oblast , also referred to as Donechchyna ( Ukrainian : Донеччина , IPA: [doˈnɛtʃːɪnɐ] ), is an oblast in eastern Ukraine . It is Ukraine's most populous province, with around 4.1 million residents. Its administrative centre
2665-516: The life and health of participants. Sloviansk Sloviansk is a city in Donetsk Oblast , northern part of the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine . The city was known as Tor until 1784. While it did not actually belong to the raion itself, Sloviansk served as the administrative center of the Sloviansk Raion ( district ) until its abolition on 18 July 2020. Sloviansk was one of
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2730-487: The loss of civilian life. An April 2023 profile of Sloviansk by the Financial Times described the city as being like a ' ghost town ', with mayor Vadym Lyakh having given an order to evacuate. The population of Sloviansk at this time was estimated at 40-50,000, up from 2022's estimate of 24,000, but significantly down from the pre-Russian invasion population of over 100,000. In September 2023, The Guardian reported from
2795-421: The most populous and most densely populated region of the country, except for the cities with special status ( Kyiv and Sevastopol ). Its large population is due to the presence of several big industrial cities and numerous villages agglomerated around them. During the 2004 presidential election , political supporters of Viktor Yanukovych threatened to demand autonomy for Donetsk and neighboring oblasts if
2860-548: The northeast, the Rostov Oblast in Russia to the east, and the Sea of Azov to the south. Its extent from north to south is 270 km, from east to west – 190 km. The extreme points of the oblast's borders are: Bilosarayska Kosa ( spit ) in the south, Shevchenko of Volnovakha Raion in the west, Verkhnii Kut of Horlivka Raion in the east, and Lozove of Kramatorsk Raion in the north. The state historic-architectural site near
2925-623: The oblast. The curative areas in the oblast include the Slovyansk salt lakes and mineral water sources. The oblast also contains many park zones, some of which are of great national value. They include the Khomutivsky steppe and the Azov sea coast. Overall, Donetsk Oblast contains about 70 protected park and nature attractions including branches of the Ukrainian steppe park, six state reserves, ten memorials of nature, landscapes, and six park tracts. During
2990-638: The original name of Donetsk). During World War II , it was the site of several war crimes, including the German-perpetrated Artemivsk massacre and Soviet-perpetrated Massacre of Grischino . As part of de-Stalinization in the Soviet Union , in 1961 Stalino and Stalino Oblast were renamed Donetsk and Donetsk Oblast. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union , 83.9% of voters in Donetsk Oblast approved Ukraine's declaration of independence in
3055-581: The powerful " Donetsk Clan ". In late 2004, the Party of Regions was involved in the creation of a political project, the South-East Ukrainian Autonomous Republic , which was intended to include Donetsk Oblast. Having close ties with the Russian government, the Party of Regions, along with local communists and other pro-Russian activists, instigated the pro-Russian unrest which escalated into
3120-432: The pro-Russia side installed their own 'people's mayor' Vyacheslav Ponomarev , to deal with civilian matters, and press, while Strelkov / Girkin took charge of military matters. Throughout April, and May, Ponomarev would hold near daily press conferences in the city's admininstrative building. On 9 May, Victory Day , there was a parade, and large gathering of people in the central Square of Sloviansk. Nelya Shtepa appeared,
3185-517: The pro-Russian forces as carrying Russian weapons and resembling the soldiers that took over Crimean installations at the start of the 2014 Crimean crisis . Initially, the pro-Russia rebels enjoyed strong support, with the New York Times reporting: " Thousands of residents thronged a large square in front of City Hall to welcome the pro-Russian putsch, chanting “Russia, Russia” and posing for photographs with gunmen they hailed as their saviors from
3250-454: The public organization "PATRIOT GROUP" is engaged in: The newspaper "Patriot of Donbas" and the video channel of the NGO "Patriot Group" were created to inform about the most current events in Ukraine and the world. The information center of the mentioned information resources of the public organization closely monitors important news related to countering Russian aggression, key events taking place in
3315-483: The referendum on 11 May had been planned for 18 May, giving voters the option of joining Russia, however this was abandoned due to the escalation of fighting. On 29 May 2014, a Ukrainian helicopter carrying fourteen Ukrainian special service soldiers, including General Serhiy Kulchytskiy – the head of combat and special training for Ukraine's National Guard, crashed after being shot down by militants near Sloviansk. Ukraine's outgoing President Olexander Turchynov described
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#17328546970433380-457: The release of 9 soldiers and 1 volunteer. The release of hostages took place near the city of Shchastia . After the full-scale invasion of Russia into the territory of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, members of the public organization "Patriot Group" stood up to defend Ukraine and on the front lines. Among them, Andriy Shostak, Serhiy Kubrushko gave their lives defending the Motherland. In addition,
3445-715: The rest of Ukraine, incorporated into the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic . In World War II , the city was occupied by Nazi Germans on 28 October 1941. In December 1941, the SS Einsatzkommando 4b murdered more than a thousand Jews who lived in Sloviansk. The Red Army temporarily expelled the Nazi occupiers on 17 February 1943. Germans retook it on 1 March 1943. The Red Army finally liberated Sloviansk on 6 September 1943. Salt extraction in Sloviansk in turn gave rise to salt refining and packaging, soda and other chemical manufacturing. By 1972 there were 18 related enterprises in
3510-658: The separatists.' Konstantin Batozsky, an aide to the Kyiv-appointed governor of the Donetsk region, which included Sloviansk, stated of the people of Sloviansk: “They are happy to welcome whoever gives them food.” Following Ukraine's recapture of Sloviansk in July 2014, Ukrainian authorities began a 'hunt' for collaborators, setting up a hotline encouraging residents of the city to inform on those who had 'collaborated with pro-Russian rebels'. There were further discoveries of 'mass graves'. The New York Times reported at this time "There
3575-518: The special unit "Alfa" and a representative of the Unified Center for the Release of Hostages of the Security Service of Ukraine. As a result, 14 Ukrainian soldiers were released On October 28, 2014, at a checkpoint near the city of Shchastia , Luhansk Oblast, hostages were released with the participation of negotiators of the "Patriot Group". As a result of negotiations, 7 Ukrainian soldiers of
3640-467: The temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. In 2024, the Training Center for Special Military Training of the public organization "Patriot Group" was established. Military training is carried out comprehensively in the following areas: Training is conducted free of charge with the involvement of the best military instructors, in compliance with the relevant safety standards, which in no way harm
3705-511: The world have not recognized the annexations. As of April 2024, Russia controls about 60% of the oblast. Donetsk Oblast is located in southeastern Ukraine. The area of the oblast (26,517 km ) comprises about 4.4% of the total area of the country. The oblast borders the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts to the southwest, the Kharkiv Oblast to the north, the Luhansk Oblast to
3770-440: Was approached by acquaintances from Cherkasy regarding the search for missing compatriots. After constructive negotiations conducted by Oleg Kotenko, the soldiers were released. This marked the beginning of the public organization "Patriot Group". The first feedback on the activities of the public organization was expressed by the governor of Cherkasy Oblast , Yuriy Tkachenko . For the exchange of prisoners near Slovyanserbsk and
3835-523: Was clearly formed between 2 and 3 July. And already on the 4th it was clear that they would leave that night from 4 to 5 July. We actively conducted reconnaissance and gave coordinates directly on the night movement of the column, and on the daytime location of the enemy in Kramatorsk, and then on the exit of Girkin's columns from Kramatorsk. These coordinates were given. There was no implementation of [an attack on] these coordinates. A series of incidents, and
3900-433: Was down to 105,141. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , the city's population fell markedly, to around 24,000 by July 2022, due to shelling, and ongoing war, according to Ukrainian authorities. In April 2023, The Financial Times estimated the population to have recovered to 40-50,000. The history of Sloviansk dates back to 1645 when Russian Tsar Alexei Romanov founded a border fortress named Tor against
3965-533: Was released. The release was negotiated in the territory controlled by the "DPR". Oleg Khoroshykh – the head of the analytical department of the "Patriot Group" – participated in the release of the hostage. On April 4, 2015, the "Patriot Group" conducted successful negotiations for the release of the head of the State Farm Village Council of the Skadovsk district of Kherson Oblast, as well as two soldiers of
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#17328546970434030-459: Was subsequently moved to Mariupol and then Kramatorsk . During the Russian invasion of Ukraine , the oblast again became the site of heavy fighting , and Russia later declared the annexation of the entirety of the oblast as well as three other regions, though the annexation remains internationally unrecognized. About three-fifths of the oblast is under Russian military occupation. Donetsk Oblast
4095-470: Was terminated in 1925. As part of Soviet Ukraine , Donetsk Oblast was established on 2 July 1932 out of the Kharkiv Oblast , the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast , and a number of raions that were under the direct administration of Kharkiv (then-capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic ). Artemivsk (today Bakhmut ) served as the oblast's administrative center for two weeks until 16 July 1932, when
4160-399: Was ultimately held by Russian-backed rebels for nearly three months, from mid-April until 5 July 2014, during which time fighting between the rebels and the Ukrainian army escalated, along with shelling of civilian areas of the city, with both military and civilian casualties. In late June, the Ukrainian army started advancing on Sloviansk, taking strategically significant locationed, including
4225-461: Was visited by Orlando Bloom in his role as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. The population of Sloviansk would recover in the years up to 2022, to pre-2014 level. Sloviansk has been affected from the start of the 2022 Invasion of Ukraine , without becoming a central theatre of war. Sloviansk has been described as being a "crucial part Moscow’s objective of capturing all of the Donbas region". The city has several times fallen under shelling, with
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