Changes

[[File:Ukraine voter map.png|300px|thumb|left|Ukraine election in 2010: blue regions include Dunbas and supported the victorious pro-Russia candidate and thereby opposed gay pride parades imposed by its current liberal president; the election was deemed fair but a [[Leftist]] revolution in 2014 ousted the pro-Russian president]]

[[File:Ukraine voter map.png|300px|thumb|left|Ukraine election in 2010: blue regions include Dunbas and supported the victorious pro-Russia candidate and thereby opposed gay pride parades imposed by its current liberal president; the election was deemed fair but a [[Leftist]] revolution in 2014 ousted the pro-Russian president]]

[[File:DPR and LPR.png|350px|thumb|[[Donetsk]] {yellow} and [[Luhansk]] {pink} in the Donbas.]]

[[File:DPR and LPR.png|350px|thumb|[[Donetsk]] {yellow} and [[Luhansk]] {pink} in the Donbas.]]

The '''Donbas''' or '''Donbass''' is a [[portmanteau]] formed from '''Donets Basin''' associated with the river Donets river in [[Eastern Europe]]an.  The river originates in [[Russia]] and flows through the [[Ukraine]]ian Oblast of [[Kharkiv]], the [[Donetsk Peoples Republic]], the [[Luhansk Peoples Republic]], and then again through [[Russia]]n territory in Rostov to join the Don River about 60 miles above the [[Sea of Azov]].  The Donbas is an important cultural and economic region in Eastern Europe and portions considered part of Russia's [[near abroad]].

'''Donbas''' or '''Donbass''' is a [[portmanteau]] formed from '''Donets Basin''' associated with the river Donets river in [[Eastern Europe]]an.  The river originates in [[Russia]] and flows through the [[Ukraine]]ian Oblast of [[Kharkiv]], the [[Donetsk Peoples Republic]], the [[Luhansk Peoples Republic]], and then again through [[Russia]]n territory in Rostov to join the Don River about 60 miles above the [[Sea of Azov]].  The Donbas is an important cultural and economic region in Eastern Europe and portions considered part of Russia's [[near abroad]].

On February 21, 2022 the [[Russian Federation]] recognized the sovereign independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics.

On February 21, 2022 the [[Russian Federation]] recognized the sovereign independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics.