Ukraine Donetsk Rebel Leader Issues 'General Mobilization Order'... "All Reservists Report to Recruitment Centers"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Denis Pushilin, the head of the pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), which controls Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine, has issued a general military mobilization order, major foreign media reported on the 19th.

In a video statement that day, he said there were reports of a significant increase in the risk of combat with government forces in eastern Ukraine, adding, "I have signed the general military mobilization order. I urge all reservists to come to the military recruitment office."

Earlier, the DPR and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), which control the two regions, ordered women and children to evacuate across the border to Russia's Rostov region, claiming an imminent Ukrainian attack without presenting any concrete evidence on the 18th.

The pro-Russian separatist forces in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, collectively known as Donbas, declared the establishment of the DPR and LPR, respectively, after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, which belonged to Ukraine, based on a referendum result in 2014. They have since clashed with the Ukrainian government. Although these republics are not recognized by the international community, they are known to receive support from Russia.

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