Crimea and Donbas Are Ukrainian: A Historical and Cultural Perspective
Authors: Kateryna Kyrychenko and Dr. Paul R. Williams
The territories of Crimea and Donbas, currently under Russian occupation, have become central to the global discourse on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Despite their distinct characteristics, Crimea and Donbas are inseparable parts of Ukraine, with centuries of shared cultural, historical, and political ties that firmly anchor them within the Ukrainian state. Both regions are also universally recognized as Ukrainian under international law. The 1991 Ukrainian Independence referendum and UN Resolution 68/262 on Ukraine's territorial integrity affirmed their status within Ukraine’s borders. Yet, the ongoing tensions over the status of these territories stem from the regions' complex histories. Understanding their shared histories offers a deeper perspective on Ukraine’s modern struggles to protect its territorial integrity.
Historical Perspective on Crimea
The illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 reignited an age-old debate about the peninsula’s rightful place. The diverse ethnic and cultural background of Crimea, including its Tatar heritage, shaped its complex relationship with both Russia and Ukraine.
From ancient times, the Crimean peninsula was home to various indigenous peoples, including the Cimmerians, Scythians, Greeks, Armenians, and Crimean Tatars, who have long-standing ties to Ukraine. The development of the region was largely influenced by ancient Ukrainian and Greek settlements. In the 15-18th centuries, the Crimean Khanate, a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire, controlled the region. While having significant economic and political links with Ukraine, the Crimean Khanate was characterized by an aggressive policy and remained the primary rival of the Russian Empire for dominance in the Northern Black Sea region until its downfall. In 1783, the peninsula was annexed by the Russian Empire and became part of various Russian governorates for over two centuries. From the 1920s onward, Crimea formally became a part of the Soviet Union.
Prior to the 1783 annexation, Crimea was a truly culturally diverse region. However, following its incorporation into the Russian Empire, the region started experiencing a systematic process of russification aimed at diminishing local culture, which included the renaming of cities and the settlement of Russian-speaking populations. The aggressive assimilation policy peaked in 1944, when the Soviet Union organized mass forced deportations of the Crimean Tatars, along with other indigenous groups, accusing them of collaboration with the enemy during World War II. The deportations resulted in a profound demographic shift, undermining the multicultural fabric of the region and facilitating the dominance of Russian settlers.
In 1954, the Soviet Union transferred control of the Crimean Peninsula to Ukraine, which was described as a gesture of goodwill between the two populations. The decree with which this transfer was executed itself characterized the move as advisable due to the “territorial inclination of the Crimean Oblast' toward the Ukrainian SSR, the commonality of the economy, and close economic and cultural ties between the Crimean Oblast' and the Ukrainian SSR”. This decision was in fact a pragmatic move by the Soviet Union to address the peninsula’s post-war economic decline and logistical challenges, as Ukraine’s geographic proximity and resources made it better suited to manage Crimea’s recovery and development.
The 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, followed by Ukraine’s declaration of independence, which was supported by a majority of the population in Crimea, further solidified the understanding that Crimea was part of Ukraine—despite later Russian claims and the illegal annexation of the peninsula in 2014.
Undoubtedly, Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians are tied with enduring connections rooted in mutual respect and shared struggles. During the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917, Ukrainians recognized Crimean Tatars as the primary agents of self-determination in the region, fostering cooperation. Crimean Tatars, in turn, aligned with the Ukrainian People’s Republic, united by aspirations to resist imperial domination. This history of collaboration contrasts sharply with Russian imperial and Soviet policies of repression and cultural erasure, which undermined Crimean Tatar autonomy and left a legacy of mistrust.
Acknowledging the Crimean Tatars’ unique role and historical grievances is crucial in the context of any future peace agreement that might end the current war. Ensuring their political and cultural autonomy within Ukrainian Crimea would restore justice and reinforce Ukraine’s commitment to human rights and inclusive governance.
Donbas: Ukraine’s Melting Pot
While Crimea’s historical ties to Ukraine are often discussed through cultural and administrative lenses, Donbas region is more deeply intertwined with the country’s industrial legacy and its long-standing resistance against Russian imperialism.
Donbas region (an abbreviation of "Donetsk Coal Basin") is a major industrial and coal-mining hub, located in the eastern part of Ukraine (Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts). The region was heavily influenced by Russian and Soviet policies from the late 19th century onward. It became a melting pot of various ethnic groups, including Ukrainians, Russians, and others, due to its booming industry and labor demands. However, the region’s industrialization was not purely economic; it was deeply shaped by Russia’s russification policies. The expansion of Russian-speaking communities in Donbas, initiated by tsarist Russia and intensifying during Soviet times, fundamentally altered the region’s cultural landscape. From the late 19th century, Russian-speaking workers were brought to the area to work in coal mines and factories, gradually diluting the Ukrainian presence. By the mid-20th century, Russian became the dominant language of communication in both public and private spheres.
Nonetheless, the Donbas region has always been an integral part of Ukrainian lands. Before industrialization, Donbas had a rich history tied to Ukraine. In the 17th century, the region was home to the Ukrainian Cossacks, who played a pivotal role in shaping Ukrainian identity and protecting Ukrainian lands from external threats. Archaeological evidence also shows that Donbas was historically linked to the Wild Fields, a frontier zone sparsely inhabited by various Ukrainian-speaking communities. The foundation of towns such as Bakhmut and Sloviansk in the 16th and 17th centuries as salt-mining centers further tied Donbas to early Ukrainian economic development.
The region’s inclusion in the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union did not sever its ties with Ukraine. During the Ukrainian War of Independence (1917–1921), Donbas was a site of resistance against Russian imperial forces, demonstrating its strong connection to the Ukrainian national struggle. Later, the Soviet industrialization program brought more Russian speakers into the region, further complicating its identity. Nonetheless, Donbas remained a critical component of the Ukrainian SSR’s economy, society, and culture.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Donbas became a part of the newly independent Ukraine. Despite significant pro-Russian sentiment in the region among some parts of the population, rooted in decades of russification, the 1991 referendum showed overwhelming support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, even among the Russian-speaking Ukrainians.
Conclusion
Despite their distinct histories, both Crimea and Donbas share a common Ukrainian experience through culture, language, and shared national consciousness. The histories of Crimea and Donbas are inextricably linked to Ukraine’s national identity. The regions’ crucial roles in Ukraine’s independence movement reveal that they have always been part of Ukraine’s historical, social, and cultural fabric. Though Russia has attempted to assert its claims over these territories, the historical narratives of Crimea and Donbas demonstrate that their connection to Ukraine is deep and unbroken.
The ongoing Russian aggression and occupation of Crimea and Donbas, fueled by the Federation's imperial ambitions, highlight the larger struggle for Ukrainian sovereignty and the right of its people to determine their own future. The histories of these two regions remind us that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is not just a matter of contemporary politics but is also rooted in centuries of shared culture, economic ties, and a collective desire for independence. Understanding this history is essential for acknowledging the legitimate claim of Ukraine to both Crimea and Donbas and reaffirming its rightful place on the world stage as a sovereign nation.