As COVID-19 paralyzes even the most advanced economies, the war-torn Donbas and Russian-occupied Crimea are facing the same challenges — only with an already depressed economy.

After its illegal annexation by Russia in 2014, Crimea remains in limbo — an unrecognized, isolated peninsula with a dearth of investment and no direct flights from other countries. It is also hit by the international sanctions imposed on Russia for its land grab.