Isn't most of that production reliant on Russia's markets? At least the article was about something like that, that the regions which have strong economic ties to the EU are against separatism even if they are in Eastern Ukraine.
I don't think it would work out, the EU is already blamed for everything, now imagine if one half of a country is dragged forcibly into it.
Common, don't repeat Putin's propaganda. What half of a country? the area occupied by neo-Soviets is much smaller.
Let me say something about Donbass GRP:
Large chunk of it is from coal mining that receives $billions from Ukrainian budget to stay afloat. Else it has no chance to compete. It is cheaper to buy coal from Poland or Russia.
All that miners will lose their jobs in a split second should they join Russia\become part of some independent country. Even if it will be internationally recognized
Another major source of regional gross product is a Mariupol Steelworks, but those are located in Southern part of Donbass and more or less controlled by Ukraine.
Agriculture: Again it concentrated in zones controlled by Ukraine.
Chemical plants: Yes, that is a problem... That is a double problem, not only it has notable economical value, shells flying around all that chemicals = not fun
Heavy machinery: Another problem, Donbass has few factories like that. Less then Zaporizhya or Dnipropetrovsk but still some
Defense industry: Some are there and the loss will be notable, but luckily our main facilities are further west.
Power stations: They have many coal powerplants and losing them is a hit for our power generation. But if you ask me, that inefficient, ecology killing, Soviet-Era plants should be closed anyway.
If Putin wanted to attack, he could have done so much earlier.
He attacks. He uses less direct methods than moving tank armadas in
PS. tomorrow is June 22, Sunday. Perfect day to attack Ukraine for a guy who follows Hitler's steps. Some large scale sabotage\provocation is likely