The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation, with Donetsk serving as its capital. The Donetsk People's Republic was first proclaimed on 7 April 2014 as part of a pro-Russian backlash against the Euromaidan revolution in Kyiv, which pro-Russian activists deemed a pro-Western "coup" by Western Ukrainian nationalists. In Eastern Ukraine, where the pro-Russian Communist Party of Ukraine and then the Party of Regions were dominant, separatists formed the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, inspired by a combination of Soviet nostalgia with Russian ethnic and imperialist nationalism. Covertly (and, from 2022, overtly) supported by the Russian Federation, the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics battled against Ukrainian government forces as the Ukrainian government attempted to reconquer the Donbas region, with thousands of far-right (the National Bolshevik Party, Russian National Unity, Eurasian Party, Russian Imperial Movement, National Liberation Movement, etc.) and far-left volunteers (including Essence of Time), many of them from Russia, joining the separatist forces. Throughout its independent existence, the DPR, like the LPR, functioned as a neo-Stalinist statelet in which political opposition was stifled and power was concentrated in the hands of pro-Russian warlords. In 2022, the Russian Army invaded the rest of Ukraine, helping the separatists conquer almost the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts. In September 2022, the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, along with the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Kherson Oblast, held referenda on annexation by the Russian Federation just weeks after Russia announced a partial mobilization for the war in Ukraine. In a fradulent referendum held at gunpoint, 99.23% of respondents in Donetsk and 98.42% of respondents in Luhansk reportedly voted in favor of annexation, and President Vladimir Putin announced the regions' annexations to Russia on 30 September 2022. The Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics retained their names as federal subjects.
The DPR primarily promoted a form of Russian nationalism that sought to align with Russia rather than pursuing a socialist or communist agenda. Its leaders emphasized the rights of Russian-speaking populations and the desire for self-determination. While the DPR attracted some support from leftist factions, including former members of the Communist Party of Ukraine (KPU) and the Party of Regions, its official stance was more nationalist than socialist. The DPR at times utilized leftist rhetoric to appeal to certain demographics. The governance style of the DPR was marked by authoritarianism, which included elements of state control over various aspects of life, reminiscent of certain communist governance styles. However, this was more about maintaining power than adhering to communist ideology.
The DPR drew on a sense of Soviet nostalgia, appealing to those who long for the stability and social programs of the Soviet era. This sentiment was particularly strong among older generations who viewed the Soviet Union as a time of security and community. While the DPR did not fully adopt traditional communist policies, it implemented some measures reminiscent of Soviet economic practices. For example, there were attempts to socialize certain industries and provide state support for workers, reflecting a desire to revive aspects of the Soviet model. The DPR sought to exert state control over key industries, particularly in coal and heavy manufacturing, echoing Soviet-era practices of centralized economic management. There were attempts to implement social welfare programs aimed at supporting the working class, including subsidies for families and assistance for the unemployed, reminiscent of Soviet social policies. There were also efforts to increase state control over agricultural production, aiming to ensure food security and stability in rural areas.
Orthodox fundamentalism played a significant role in shaping the DPR's identity, with the Russian Orthodox Church providing a moral and cultural framework. This fostered a sense of community and identity among supporters, framing the conflict as a struggle to protect traditional Russian values. The DPR often aligned itself with the Russian Orthodox Church in its policies, promoting the church’s role in society and integrating its teachings into public life. This included support for religious education and the promotion of traditional family values.
Russian ultranationalism was a core component of the DPR's ideology, emphasizing the need for a greater Russia and promoting the idea that Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine belonged with Russia. This nationalism was often infused with a sense of victimhood and resistance against perceived Western encroachment. The DPR's policies reflected a desire to integrate more closely with Russia, including the adoption of Russian laws and economic systems. This ultranationalist sentiment sometimes manifested in exclusionary policies against those who did not identify as Russian or Russian-speaking.
Gallery[]
