Which are the two 'separatist' provinces of Ukraine which are at the crux of the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

CSIR CERI JSA Official Paper-II (Held On 2022)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Donetsk and Luhansk.

Key Points

Donetsk and Luhansk are the two eastern Ukrainian provinces (oblasts) that have been at the center of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, particularly since 2014. These two regions collectively form part of the larger historical and cultural area known as the Donbas.
Following the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution, which ousted the pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, separatist movements, supported by Russia, gained momentum in several eastern and southern Ukrainian regions, including Donetsk and Luhansk.
In April 2014, armed groups, largely composed of local separatists and reportedly supported by Russian volunteers and equipment, seized government buildings and declared the creation of the "Donetsk People's Republic" (DPR) and the "Luhansk People's Republic" (LPR).
These self-proclaimed republics 1 held referendums on independence in May 2014, which were deemed illegal and illegitimate by Ukraine and the majority of the international community. However, the separatist leadership declared overwhelming support for independence from Ukraine