For one, why would you call those in NovoRussia southern Russians if from the time the region was first was colonized in 18-19th centuries up till now, ethnic Ukrainians were a majority? ==
Now I don't know where to start:)).
Firstly, NovvoRossia was conqured by russian troops. Not "ukranian" or else. Wasn't it?
So since it was conquered by russian army then terrirory was populated by Ekaterina the Great.
People for population was mixed. Some are from some regions of Velikorossia(Great Russia) and from Malayarossia, Bellorossia and so on.
SO it is new region whose population maybe called as southern russians hence they are far from uniates of Western Ukraine then neoboring russian population.
Today there is attempt to make them ukarinians by forceful ukrainization. The result will be negative for sure. Those people overlived soveitization already. Ukrainization will be easier to overcome.
As far as I know the use of russian language increases on those territory not decreases as it supposed to in spite of ukrainization.
It is direct cause that people oppose forceful ukrainization.
So let live then let see:).