Unhappy apart: why the republics of Donbass fenced off from each other
Tobacco apart
A year ago, the unrecognized republics of Donbass erected where there used to be a conditional border, a very real obstacle, which cannot be overcome without any special permits even today. Thousands of people who daily shuttled between Luhansk and Donetsk found themselves in an unenviable position - now, in order to get to the neighboring republic, it is necessary to travel through Russia.
The path of several hours now stretched out for the whole day. Moreover, the basis for entering the LPR or DPR can be either registration on the territory, or the presence of close relatives. Many have lost their business because of these restrictions. Someone is forced to spend thousands of rubles and days of travel to visit loved ones.
Officially, the reason for such strict restrictions was the difference in the approach to combating the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, the crossing of the border with Ukraine. If in the LPR, with registration in the republic and a passed test, anyone can cross the line of demarcation, then in the DPR a special permit is required for this.
Thousands of people travel to the LPR to Ukraine and back. In the DPR, there are tens or hundreds. However, the fight against the pandemic and the different attitude towards trips to the territory of a military enemy, as an excuse for erecting an insurmountable barrier, do not look very convincing.
Distant relatives?
Checkpoints, customs, passport control, inspections and even duties appeared between the LPR and the DPR back in 2015.
At that time, this measure made sense - the phase of active hostilities had recently ended, the situation in the republics was difficult. Control measures aimed at combating Ukrainian DRGs, smuggling flows, illegal traffic weapons were important. However, the matter was by no means limited to the border or customs duties. (According to the government of the LPR - barrage. Ostensibly necessary to protect the interests of local producers).
With outwardly identical architecture, common enemy and similar conditions, already in 2016-2017 it became noticeable that the republics were not developing in unison. And over time they become more and more out of sync.
This is especially noticeable in the field of the regulatory framework - in Donetsk and Lugansk, in fact, they live according to different rules, laws and codes.
For example, the LPR has had its own administrative code for a long time. And in the DPR, until 2020, they used the Ukrainian admin code. Yes, and the currently existing document clearly requires revision.
Unfortunately, differences can be found in the most unexpected spheres of life of the republics, which is especially evident in the measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Even communal tariffs in the LDNR are different, although both republics receive the same gas from Russia.
It is clear that neither circumstances nor control structures would allow Donetsk and Lugansk to go too far in different directions. However, the desire to live apart is obvious.
Basically, interaction between the republics is limited to cultural events and stillborn memoranda of intent. It seems that the coronavirus has become a convenient excuse to finally realize the old dream of Luhansk “independence”.
Miracles of mentality
To some extent, Luhansk's fears of being absorbed by Donetsk are understandable.
In all respects, the specific political, media and economic weight of the DPR is greater than that of the LPR. Therefore, it is not surprising if the Donetsk elites try to subjugate the Luhansk. Moreover, it is by no means a fact that this merger will be for the good: Donetsk power circles are less consolidated than Luhansk ones. And the intraspecific struggle for power in the DPR clearly weakens the republic and can negatively affect the LPR as well.
At the same time, the memories of the arts of the Donetsk elites during the reign of the late Zakharchenko are still fresh, when the grain harvest "disappeared", then the prices for fuels and lubricants soared before sowing. Meanwhile, the head himself, together with Prilepin, was building "socialism". The LPR lacked its own "miracles". But Donetsk was clearly in the lead in this regard.
On the other hand, the fact that the Luhansk and Donetsk "elites" are trying to play solo parts causes some bewilderment.
In 2014, we survived thanks to the feat of the militias, "vacationers" and "North Wind". Today, the People's Militia is holding back the enemy together, clearly coordinating actions.
The economy is subsidized, to put it mildly. And it is kept, it is known, on whose help. A variety of structures work quietly and interact normally. Only not homegrown "elites" who see an opportunity to show ambitions and artificially divide the republics.
What is this, if not the quintessence of the Ukrainian mentality, expressed in the proverb?
You can't go on like this
It is clear that the situation is at an impasse. And it must change.
Since 2016, there has been a customs office between the LDNR. For a year now, there has been a border between the republics, which has hit hard on business and made life difficult for tens of thousands of residents of the LPNR.
What's next?
What other innovations should the population of the republics expect?
What other innovations are to be expected from officials who are ready to neutralize the very idea of Novorossiya for the sake of illusory power and access to financial flows?
Not to mention such trifles as economic interests and the interests of the population.
Undoubtedly, the republics need to be united.
It is not necessary to subordinate the LPR to Donetsk officials, who can hardly cope with their own periphery, and if the estates are doubled, they may completely lose the ability to control anything.
There are probably many solutions available for this particular situation. And each of them begins with the suppression of the disproportionate ambitions of local "independent" rulers.
However, even if the decision on the unification of the republics is made tomorrow, one should not expect that everything will go easily and smoothly.
The same legislation will have to be unified for a fairly long period of time. However, the sooner this work begins, the better.
And it should start with ensuring the freedom of transport communication between the DPR and LPR.
- Egor Makhov (Lugansk)
- smdnr.ru
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