The Donbass region is a harder nut to crack—the Ukrainians are determined to keep it.
They served in the volunteer Donbass Battalion, one of three specially organized National Guard battalions.
Unlike the dreary industrial region of Donbass where the fighting is concentrated, Crimea has great potential as a tourist center.
In the past three months over 2,500 civilians have been killed in the crossfires of Donbass.
As a result of the violent war in Donbass, more and more Ukrainians say their country should join NATO.
