The effective resistance of Ukraine to the Russian invasion demonstrates that the vast majority of Ukrainians do not want to become part of Russia. If the mass graves in Donbass were filled by Russian sympathizers in 2014 they would be more decayed than they are.
For eight years (2014-2022) Ukrainian nationalists have been delivering a clear message to the people of Donbass: "Go home to Russia! We don't want you here!"
In other words, go to Russia or die.
The people of Donbass are telling Ukrainian neo-Nazis they've agreed to return to Russia, and they're taking their land (and natural resources) with them.
"The four territories where the referendums to join Russia were held."
"After all, many of these families have lived in the Donbass region longer than Ukraine has been a country.
"For generations they have plowed the fields and mined coal, long before Ukraine became an independent nation in 1991, when the USSR breathed its last, gasping breaths.
"After five days of voting, the final numbers are in for the
referendums, which were held within four expansive territories in what was once Eastern Ukraine.
"The question posed to voters was simple.
"A sample ballot in Donetsk reads: 'Are you in favor of the Donetsk People’s Republic becoming part of the Russian Federation as a subordinate republic of the Russian Federation?' Yes/No.
"A sample ballot from Donetsk People’s Republic. Photo: RIA Novosti
"In all four territories, the people overwhelmingly voted yes..."
People’s Republic of Donetsk — 99.23%
People’s Republic of Lugansk — 98.42%
Zaporozhe (also called Zaporizhe) — 93.11%
Kherson — 87.05%"