P
pillars of hercules
Guest
The reason the areas wanted to break away from Ukraine is because they are full of Russians and the country went on a policy of alienating all things Russian.It's not, really, it's justification from Russia to be able to send troops in and say they're not invading another country.
The only reason these areas "broke away" from Ukraine in the first place was cos Russia supported the rebels that made that happen.
If you and your mates have a rebel army capable of holding off any attempts to take Sunderland back and the support of locals who don't flee you could go for it.