The war in Donbas did not begin until Russia has already annexed Crimea, and the fighters there were being funded by Russia. They are not victims.
Discussion
And the thousands of civilians just collateral damage? Got it.
That's part of war and Putin started it. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are dying now too. Does that make any it right or acceptable? Certainly not, but I don't think Ukraine should just roll over for Putin to prevent the deaths. It could all end today with one order from Putin. No one in this conflict has that kind of power to stop it but him.