The vision presented by Western, NATO-aligned powers is one of an astro-turfed Donbas separatism created by Moscow to justify the division of Ukraine. The tension between the central government and the Donbas miners was fueled by the increasing difficulty (and cost) of pulling coal from Donbas mines. DeindustrializationTensions between the Donbas miners and the Ukrainian government continued to intensify over economic and political issues, and major labor actions continued through the decade. By the time of the Euromaidan and the rebellions in Donbas, Ukraine had only 150 mines remaining in operation, compared to 275 in 1998. The separatists did not endear themselves to the hundreds of thousands of Donbas miners.

Source: Washington Post July 15, 2023 11:02 UTC