Donetsk, May 11 - DAN. Donetsk People’s Republic Head Denis Pushilin has extended his best wishes to the residents on Republic Day.
“Seven years ago, we jointly and unanimously chose our future,” Pushilin said in the greedings message published on the DPR leader’s official website. "We had to defend our freedom and the right to exist in the war against the Ukrainian aggressor and develop despite strikes and blockades overcoming difficulties and obstacles.”
The Republic finds consistent solutions to socio-economic challenges, launches government projects and increases production, he said.
“We are steadfast in defending the Republic’s borders. We support ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking residents living in Ukraine, against whom Kiev authorities commit crimes, too. We have proved that the unity of Russians is unbreakable. Donbass reveres the historic memory and courageously defends the values of the Russian World,” the DPR leader said
The DPR marks Republic Day on May 11. Seven years ago, the former Donetsk region held a self-determination referendum involving three-thirds of the local population. The plebiscite participants had to answer this question “Do you support the declaration of state independence of the Donetsk People's Republic?” Nearly 90 percent supported Donbass sovereignty.*jk