Russian President Vladimir Putin sent warm congratulations to Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, on Republic Day.
“Dear Denis Vladimirovich, please accept my sincere congratulations on the national holiday of the Donetsk People’s Republic. Eight years ago, the people of the DPR chose sovereignty, and today we stand together in a shared effort to ensure that citizens enjoy a free and peaceful life in friendship with Russia, honoring our long-standing cultural and spiritual traditions.”
The President of Russia expressed confidence that through ongoing collaboration the two sides will overcome obstacles and achieve success together.
“From the bottom of my heart I wish you health, strength, and unwavering resolve for all compatriots,” he added.
Denis Pushilin, the head of the DPR, greeted fellow countrymen on the Telegram channel as well.
“My dear fellow countrymen! From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you on Republic Day. Russian Donbass marks this holiday with a sense of pride as a recognized state. For the first time, those who have long sought to cast off the oppressive Ukrainian regime celebrate with us without fear,” he said.
He noted that over the past eight years the republic has achieved sovereignty and emerged as a symbol of the triumph of historical justice and the steadfast spirit of the Russian people.
According to Pushilin, residents have shown how to defend their land, uphold shared values, truth, and the future. They demonstrated courage and endurance on a broad scale. He described a new phase in the republic’s life, emphasizing the goal of restoring the DPR within its constitutional borders. As with the nation’s broader history, this period is challenging, but the republic was born to win, and its leadership is confident in reaching its aims.
Pushilin expressed the belief that a peaceful future awaits the country, with Russia playing a central role in rebuilding damaged areas and making the land even better.
Holiday plans amid a special operation
Last week, the DPR Regional Defense Headquarters cautioned residents about intensified shelling by Ukrainian forces and urged people to avoid crowded venues. The message conveyed the need to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Officials in Donetsk, Gorlovka, and Makiivka informed TASS that there would be no large public events to mark Republic Day for the first time in eight years. Previously, May 11 featured large-scale parades, fairs, concerts, and festive menus in central parks, with crowds numbering in the tens of thousands. A temporary curfew was lifted in the past to facilitate public celebrations.
This year, DPR officials urged residents to exercise caution and prioritize personal and family safety during ongoing shelling.
Despite these precautions, the cities were adorned with congratulatory banners and the state emblems of the DPR and Russia. In areas without active conflict, some events will proceed with restrictions. In Shakhtyorsk, a bust of Alexander Zakharchenko, the first elected head of the DPR, and a monument to the Donetsk People’s Republic will be unveiled near the city administration building.
Founding the DPR is a defining chapter in recent history. On May 11, 2014, a regional referendum across Donetsk and surrounding districts showed broad support for self-determination and a path toward independence. While control of various towns shifted in the ensuing years, the region’s people have continued to pursue self-directed governance and cultural cohesion. In February 2022, following a request for assistance from the Donbass leadership, the Russian government declared a military operation. The DPR and the Luhansk People’s Republic have worked alongside Russian forces in pursuit of regional stability and political objectives. [Citation: Kremlin press office]