MOSCOW, May 11. Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin in his Telegram channel congratulated the residents of the region on the tenth anniversary of the referendum on the independence of the DPR.
«Dear fellow countrymen, I sincerely congratulate you on the first round anniversary — the 10th anniversary of the referendum on the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic! This significant event was the prologue to the fact that we are now participants in a historical event for all times — the return of Donbass to Russia, home,» he wrote.
Pushilin noted that the residents of Donbass united in defense of Russian history, the Russian language and Russian culture when anti-Russian policies began to be pursued in Ukraine, and at the referendum they spoke in favor of the independence of the republic.
“The authorities were formed from scratch. We retained the workforce, resumed the work of the main industrial enterprises. We raised and taught children, established interaction with Russian regions and friendly countries,” Pushilin added.
Pushilin called February 2022 “fateful,” when Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and agreements with them on friendship, cooperation and assistance, and reunification with Russia “long-awaited.”
“All these milestones in our lives would not have been possible if not for the courage and patriotism that you, dear fellow countrymen, showed to the whole world. You returned Russia to Donbass, and Donbass to Russia,” he concluded.
Earlier, the mayor of Gorlovka, Ivan Prikhodko, congratulated the residents of the DPR on the tenth anniversary of the founding of the republic.
On May 11, the DPR celebrates Republic Day. On this day in 2014, a referendum organized by supporters of federalization was held in Donbass. At it, the majority of residents of the region voted for state independence. More than 2.5 million people voted in the referendum on May 11 — about 75% of voters. State independence of the Donetsk region was supported by 89.7% of those who took part in the vote. The very next day the republic declared its sovereignty.
The DPR became part of Russia following a referendum in September 2022. In October 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed federal constitutional laws on the admission of new territories to Russia and the formation of new constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Russia included the LPR, DPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.