My wife is one of those Russian speakers from the Donbas. Most Russian speakers are not ethnic Russians. And you are full of it with your Moscow talking points. For every crime committed by Ukrainians in the Donbas there must be two dozen more serious ones committed by Russia over and above the criminal invasions.
Apparently, you or your wife are making up BS?
Referendums To Join Russia Start In Ukraine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgYqusaO2Gg&t=1480s
International Observers Show At Ukraine Referendums To Join Russia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLrn5GvxC7E&t=1746s
See Ukraine Port City’s Referendum (Backed By Russia) To Join Russia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsOiF6x0FVk&t=9s
Inside Mariupol Ukraine Referendum To Join Russia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE2J0leMgdU
Ukraine War: Frontline Referendum Special Report Donetsk - Avdeevka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JoVUXFFbXA
Ukraine Referendum To Join Russia Ends In Donetsk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA0WmCfZlDA