Forgotten fighters: Donbas conflict veterans appeal to Putin over lack of support, denial and poverty

Had it not been for the hybrid war declared by Russians in 2014, there would have been no war in Ukraine, nor two years of intense combats. This war saw the rise of the so-called "green men" in locations like Luhansk, Donetsk, and Crimea. These figures significantly contributed to the formation of self-proclaimed people's republics, hence detaching these regions from Ukraine for years to come.

Although there was no official presence of a Russian army, people's militias were formed against authorities in Kyiv, intending to unite with Russia. However, in reality, the military operations in Donbas were executed by soldiers from regular units who were instructed to pose as insurgents and separatists. Now it seems that no one in Russia wants to remember them at all today.

The veterans currently lead lives in severe conditions, devoid of state support and appropriate honors.

Pursuing the footsteps of other social groups in Russia - the wives of soldiers, the aged, the youth, or even prisoners - Donbas conflict veterans chose to record an appeal to Vladimir Putin. Presidential elections are due to be held in the country in March, making it a prime time to negotiate with the authorities. The Veterans express their struggles and plea for changes to their fate.

Numerous veterans endured serious injuries while fighting to maintain the Luhansk People's Republic, yet they can't expect treatment or rehabilitation funded by the state. Additionally, they receive a mere 80-dollar monthly pension, barely enough to survive. They receive no care from the Russian Federation since officially, "no one sent them to Ukraine".

Staggeringly, there are about 617 thousand such neglected individuals who fought for Russia years ago. How Vladimir Putin plans to address this issue remains uncertain, meanwhile, the despair among the veterans intensifies.

It could be that they see the families and loved ones of soldiers slain in Ukraine receiving compensation and gifts, (cars, domestic appliances), or perhaps they have realized that to gain anything, they must vocalize their needs, lest they be left with nothing and forgotten by their president. This has been the prevailing pattern towards those currently engaged in combat, only receiving a fraction of what was promised by the authorities.

Regardless, the veterans' situation is further proof that it was indeed Russia that launched an attack against Ukraine a decade ago, despite their continued denials. Veterans are frustrated because they are living in impoverishment, feel ignored, and lack support. Yet they could have avoided all of this had they not rushed headlong into war.

Back in 2014 and subsequent years, serving on the frontline was voluntary and Russians weren't forced - as is the case today - to participate in combat operations within Ukraine. Despite this, many were drawn to Luhansk, Donetsk, and Crimea where they engaged in bloody battles for years. The number of veterans today stands as a stark reminder of the challenges Ukraine has faced since then.