The Latest Breaking News from Donetsk

Who has followed Russia in recognising the Moscow-backed statelets in Ukraine? And what is life like there?

On the streets of the biggest city in Ukraine's breakaway eastern regions, some residents expressed joy and gratitude on Tuesday over Russia's decision to recognise their independence, but others were filled with foreboding for what might come next.

Russian-backed separatist leader Denis Pushilin said on Tuesday that Moscow formally recognised the breakaway region of Donetsk within the wider boundaries of eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, much of which is controlled by Ukrainian forces.

And what could happen next?

Vladimir Putin backing Vladimir Zhirinovsky predicted when the Russian forces would invade Ukraine, as they did in the early hours of February 22 by rolling tanks into Donetsk and Luhansk

Ukraine's efforts to join Nato are fiercely opposed by Russia, which is keen to stop the US-led military alliance from expanding further into eastern Europe

Developments bear uncanny similarities with events in Indian subcontinent half a century ago

Pro-Russian separatist regions declared independence from Kiev in 2014

Russia's move to recognise the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk has sent ripples through global markets on Tuesday, with falls across Asia, and in early trading in Europe. Oil prices also jumped, with the international benchmark Brent Crude hitting its highest level since mid-2014. Investors are now focusing…