The name Donbas, a region of Ukraine bordering Russ

The name Donbas, a region of Ukraine bordering Russia, now registers more than it might have two months ago because the area is a flashpoint of the ongoing war. Loznitsa's film is set in 2015, a starting point of the conflict. The year before, separatists backed by Russia took control of the cities of Donetsk and Lahansk in the Donbas region, declaring them independent republics. Ever since, armed combat has continued between the Ukrainian army supported by volunteers, and the separatist troops supported by Russia. On 21 February of this year, when Vladimir Putin officially recognised those two republics, it was a prelude to his invasion of Ukraine three days later.