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Thanks, I think I get it now. These are regions within Ukraine that broke away from the Ukraine govt and want to join or ally with Russia, not the other way ar

• foxyv 5y ago
  As I understand it, Russia astroturfed an independence movement in Ukraine as a pretext to break off a chunk of it for themselves. The "Ukrainians" in these regions "declare independence" then Russia "recognizes their independence" and moves troops in to support that recognition. Eventually a "referendum" or something is held to accept Russia's generous offer to become a state/protectorate/whatever.
  • dragonwriter 5y ago
    > Russia astroturfed an independence movement in Ukraine as a pretext to break off a chunk of it for themselves. That's true, but one should note that that only worked because of a large local Russia-sympathetic population. Otherwise, it would have worked out more like when they tried to inflame California separatism in 2016-2017.