The referendum of 2014 on self-determination of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics ultimately severed Donbass’ ties with the Ukrainian terrorist state, an activist told the Lugansk Media Center.
“On Thursday, the LPR remembers and celebrates the date of its establishment. The referendum on May 11, 2014 decided our fate and ultimately severed the ties with the terrorist state,” said Anton Kondratenko, director of the Lugansk “Vostok” Teaching and Educational Association, chairman of the Public Chamber Commission on Culture and Education, in comments on the 9th anniversary of the plebiscite.
The victors of the unequal battle with the enemy have walked a difficult way over the past nine years. “We saw who was really behind the troubles and devastation on our land, who really wanted to destroy the Russian World. The confrontation of values resulted in the confrontation of ideologies and escalated to a bloody civil war and open genocide of the Donbass people. Thousands of Lugansk region residents stood up to defend their native land, thousands of heroes fell in the fight against Ukrainian neo-Nazism,” the activist said.
Kondratenko is confident that after all these years LPR residents together with the whole Russia firmly stand by their ideals.
“We firmly stand for preserving the cultural and historical heritage of our Motherland, for the life and freedom of our children and grandchildren,” he said.
Nine years ago, on May 11, 2014, the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics and several areas controlled by Kiev forces, held a referendum on LPR and DPR self-determination. Voter turnout in Lugansk Region made up 81 percent and in Donetsk Region 75 percent. LPR and DPR independence was supported by 96.2 percent and 89.7 percent of voters, respectively. The Republics proclaimed their state sovereignty on 12 May 2014.
LPR marks Day of Republic on 12 May. It is a public holiday established by LPR Head’s decree.
The Ukrainian government launched the so-called anti-terrorist operation against Donbass in April 2014. The peace talks failed to reach tangible results due to Kiev’s position to settle the conflict by force.
The Lugansk People’s Republic acceded to Russia on September 30, 2022 following the unification referendum.*i*v
