The Donbass region is located in Eastern Ukraine and is one of President Viktor Yanukovich’s strongholds.
The highly industrialised area has close ties to Russia, both economically and culturally, and has little support for the Euromaiden movement in Kyiv.
Euronews met a local family and asked them their opinion of the recent pro-Europe and anti-government protests.
Dmitry Pavlyichuk: “It is necessary to be on equal terms, not the way the European Union says. Our coal won’t be needed, our output won’t be needed so everything is not in our favour.”
Yana Pavlychuk: “The average person works and doesn’t spend their time attacking the anti-riot police or breaking benches or Lenin statues and putting up barricades. We do what we have to do.”
Despite the Donbass Region being predominately pro-Yanukovich, there are those who support the pro-Europe demonstrators in Kyiv. Every night since November 30th, a group gathers in central Donetsk to express their solidarity to the protesters.
One young protester says: “Even here in Donetsk, where the authorities are powerful and most people vote for the Party of Regions, there are supporters for European integration.”
Public opinion is clearly divided on the streets on Donetsk and a solution to the current situation is unclear.
