Explainer: Why Russia Wants Ukraine’s Donbas? Understanding Putin’s Strategic, Economic and Symbolic Push
When Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and European leaders gathered to discuss a possible end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, global attention once again turned to Ukraine’s eastern region of Donbas. This industrial heartland, rich in resources and symbolic weight, has become the most contested battlefield of the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly signaled his determination to gain full control over Donbas, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has flatly rejected any such concession. This raises an essential question: Why is Donbas so crucial for Russia?
Who controls Donbas today?
Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, Russia has occupied four major Ukrainian territories: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Among these, Luhansk and Donetsk together form the historical Donbas region. Russia organized controversial referendums in these areas, declared them annexed, and integrated them into its constitution. However, the international community denounced these moves as illegal.
Currently, Russia controls the entire Luhansk region and nearly 75 percent of Donetsk. Ukrainian forces, despite facing heavy bombardment, continue to hold pockets of Donetsk, resisting Moscow’s full capture. The frontline has shifted back and forth, but Donbas remains at the heart of Russia’s war ambitions.
Russia’s key motives behind Donbas
The Russian obsession with Donbas is not accidental. It is driven by a combination of economic wealth, military strategy, and political symbolism.
1. Economic resources:
Historically, Donbas has been Ukraine’s industrial powerhouse. The region contains vast deposits of coal and minerals, once fueling the heavy industries of the Soviet Union. Although many mines have declined in productivity in recent decades, Donbas still possesses significant reserves. Moreover, the fertile lands of the region make it agriculturally valuable. For Moscow, gaining control over this resource-rich territory means weakening Ukraine’s economy while strengthening its own bargaining position.
2. Strategic significance:
Donbas is geographically critical because of its connection to the Azov Sea and Black Sea trade routes. The port city of Mariupol, captured by Russia in May 2022 after a brutal siege, serves as a key gateway. Whoever controls Mariupol gains direct access from the Azov Sea into the Black Sea, enabling both commercial and military advantages. For Russia, consolidating full control of Donbas ensures land continuity between Crimea (annexed in 2014) and mainland Russia. This “land corridor” reduces Ukraine’s ability to operate freely in the south and strengthens Moscow’s naval dominance.
3. Symbolic and cultural value:
Equally important is the identity narrative. Donbas has a large Russian-speaking population, and Putin often claims his military actions are aimed at “protecting Russian speakers.” This argument echoes Moscow’s justification for earlier interventions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Beyond demographics, Donbas holds a strong place in Soviet-era mythology as a symbol of industrial might and worker pride. By annexing Donbas, Putin hopes to present it as a symbol of Russian victory, boosting domestic support and projecting an image of defiance against the West.
What does this mean for Ukraine?
For Ukraine, conceding Donbas would mean losing one of its most resource-rich and industrialized territories, alongside a massive blow to national sovereignty. President Zelenskyy has repeatedly declared that Ukraine will never trade land for peace, insisting that Donbas and Crimea must be restored under Kyiv’s control.
Moreover, Donbas has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. Cities like Bakhmut, Severodonetsk, and Avdiivka witnessed some of the war’s bloodiest battles, where Ukrainian forces, though outgunned, delayed Russian advances for months. These battles transformed Donbas into a rallying point for national unity.
The broader geopolitical stakes
Russia’s push for Donbas is also tied to global geopolitics. By securing Donbas, Moscow not only weakens Ukraine but also sends a signal to NATO and the European Union that its influence in Eastern Europe remains unchallenged. For the West, allowing Russia to retain Donbas would set a dangerous precedent, encouraging further territorial aggression.
As peace negotiations remain uncertain, Donbas continues to symbolize the stalemate of the war—a land rich in resources, deeply tied to identity politics, and strategically vital for both sides. Until a decisive military or diplomatic breakthrough occurs, Donbas will remain at the epicenter of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
