Separated without a legitimate election, unlike the rest of Ukraine, yes. So there were several free elections in most of Ukraine since the revolution, and no free elections in Donbas.
Why would they not be able to get one? Are you suggesting Ukrainians are unable to govern themselves or hold free elections? Where is the proof of that?
Are you suggesting that Ukraine can not ever hold free elections after a coup, but Donbas can while under armed invasion of a foreign country?
The proof is in the fact that the regime literally cancelled elections, banned opposition parties, and free media.
Are you suggesting that Ukraine can not ever hold free elections after a coup, but Donbas can while under armed invasion of a foreign country?
Donbas has had election long before it INVITED Russia to intervene on its behalf. The same way breakaway regions of Yugoslavia invited NATO to intervene.
The very first sentence in thr very first source says the referendum was held in September 2022, while Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. If my math checks out, September comes after February. Or are you referring to some other referendum? Could you be more specific?