Ukraine pushes pro-Moscow rebels to final showdown in the last separatist stronghold

Ukraine pushes pro-Moscow rebels to final showdown in the last separatist stronghold
(Image credit: John Moore/Getty Images)

Even a few weeks ago, Ukraine seemed to be inexorably losing control of the eastern part of its territory to pro-Russia militants who were seizing cities big and small. By Sunday, Ukraine had ousted the rebels from Slovyansk and other towns, recaptured a key border crossing into Russia, and was preparing to battle for control of Donetsk, a regional capital of a million people and the center of the pro-Moscow forces' self-proclaimed republic.

The rebels, who call their convergence on Donetsk a tactical retreat, also seem to be treating this as a final showdown. The string of victories by Ukraine's troops started early last week, when President Petro Poroshenko called off a cease-fire.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.