RUSSIAN IDENTITY OF DONBASS: HISTORICAL ASPECT

The article examines the historical factors of the formation and development of Donbass in the context of the Russian identity of the region. It is noted that the Donbass is rightfully considered the torn-out heart of the USSR. It is indicated that the region, which was founded by immigrants from central Russia, could not become an integral part of Ukraine. A series of events, namely the coup d'état in Ukraine in 2014, the "Crimean spring", the events of May 2, 2014 in Odessa, the beginning of a bloody anti-terrorist operation with the tacit approval of the countries of the Western bloc - all this, ultimately, led to a turn of Donbass towards Russia and its return to the historical mainstream of Russian statehood.