Ukrainians are the majority in both the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, with ethnic Russians making up the
largest minority. While ethnic Ukrainians are the majority, a high percentage of the population in Donbas has Russian as their first language, and many residents identify as ethnically Russian or have a mixed ethnic identity.
Donetsk Oblast: Ethnic Ukrainians make up approximately 56.9% of the population, with ethnic Russians at about 38.2%.
Luhansk Oblast: Ethnic Ukrainians constitute about 58% of the population, and ethnic Russians account for around 39%.
Language: A majority of people in the region speak Russian as their first language, regardless of their ethnic identity.
Historical context: The region's population has been shaped by a history of both Ukrainian roots and the influx of Russian settlers, particularly during the Soviet era for industrial and mining work.
Identity: Due to the overlapping ethnic and linguistic identities, many residents have a mixed or regional identity, and national identity can be complex
|
EU rejection of peace deal amusing. It’s not really any of their business. But ... [more]