The combatants of the war in Donbas included foreign and domestic forces.
As of February 2018, the number of southeastern army separatist forces is estimated at 31,000 of which 80% (25,000) are Donbas residents, 15% (≈5,000) are military contractors from Russia and other countries. other countries and 3% (900–1,000) are regular Russian Armed Forces personnel. This ratio has changed significantly from previous years, with "the Russian command gradually filling the armies of the 'republics' with locals".[1] since peaking in 2015.