The Donbass People 's Militia was formed by Pavel Gubarev , who was " elected " " People 's Governor " of Donetsk Oblast by a mob of pro-Russian protesters . It was originally involved in taking control of Ukrainian government buildings in the Donetsk Oblast . Tensions increased to the point of the militia being actively involved in fighting a war against the Ukrainian government in the Donbass region of Ukraine . The militia was accused by the Ukrainian government of culpability in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on 17 July 2014 , but the Donetsk People 's Republic disputed this claim . The militias of the Donetsk People 's Republic and Luhansk People 's Republic , merged into one group on 16 September 2014 , forming the " United Armed Forces of Novorossiya "
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Separatist forces of the war in Donbass