Economy of the DPR and LPR


 * Putin moves to direct rule in the Donbass - Anders Åslund, The Atlantic Council, January 4, 2016 (Reprinted on [Newsweek])
 * ''In the second half of 2014, the occupied Donbas went through terrible destruction. Russian engineering troops blew up bridges and factories were subject to extensive artillery fire. All banks and ATM machines were looted and banking ceased. Most shops closed, leaving little but grocery stores. Rebels plundered or seized small, medium-sized and state enterprises, while big private enterprises, largely owned by Rinat Akhmetov's DTEK and Metinvest, were protected by the Kremlin. They continue to operate according to Ukrainian law in Ukrainian currency and pay Ukrainian taxes. Their workers have to go to ATM machines in free Ukraine to collect their salaries. Roughly 2-2.5 million people have fled the Donbas and about as many remain; 1.4 million moved to free Ukraine. Within the DNR and LNR territories, the population has moved, from small towns close to the fighting to the main cities, Donetsk and Luhansk. The economy has been devastated. This territory that produced 10 percent of Ukraine's GDP now works at about 30 percent capacity. The border from Ukraine to the DNR is relatively open, while the LNR allows much less transborder traffic.

Heavy Industry

 * Luhanskteplovoz The Lugansk Diesel Locomotive Plant (Luhanskteplovoz). 500 locomotives were to be delivered to Russia in 2015. The latest news is from February 6, 2015: Ten "diesel locomotive sections" produced in January 2015.
 * Производство не остановлено. Ведется поиск новых решений для его наращивания


 * Stakhanov railcar plant


 * Khrartzys Pipes plant (Akhmetov)

Rosatom
Rosatom has a subsidiary Energomashspetsstal in Kramatorsk
 * http://emss.ua/en/

Chemical plants
Donetsk chemical plant

Mineral Resources
Coal, coking coal, ore. Many mine pits, several iron and metal works (e.g Alchevsk has both). Some Akhmetov iron and metal works (e.g. Yenakievo)

Agriculture
Suitable land and climate

Nearby

 * New Kramatorsk Machinebuilding Factory (NKMZ)-major heavy industry, for mining and such
 * Azov iron and steel plant (web) Steel rolling, etc

Education
Several large universities in Donetsk and Luhansk