Donbas Pro-Russian Regions Request Support from Putin to Repel Ukraine Invasion (Update)

"Russia Suspected of Deploying Troops to Donbas"
Ukraine Government Declares National Emergency

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Leaders of pro-Russian separatist regions in the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine have reportedly requested support from Russian President Vladimir Putin to repel the Ukrainian military's invasion, according to Russian media. This comes just one day after President Putin stated that he would initiate the deployment of peacekeeping forces if support requests from these regions were received. The Ukrainian government has declared a national emergency in response to this news, raising concerns about a full-scale conflict between the two sides.

On the 23rd (local time), according to Russian local media including Sputnik News, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated at a press conference that the self-proclaimed leaders of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik, who claim independence from Ukraine, have sent a request for support to President Putin.

Peskov emphasized, "To prevent civilian casualties and a humanitarian disaster in the current situation, the leaders of the two republics have requested President Putin to support repelling the Ukrainian military's aggression under Articles 3 and 4 of the Treaty on Friendly Cooperation and Mutual Assistance," adding, "The written requests from the DPR and LPR leaders have been delivered to President Putin, and they expressed their gratitude for his recognition of their independence."

Earlier, President Putin said at a press conference held immediately after the Russian Federation Council approved the deployment of peacekeeping forces to the DPR and LPR, "The troops are not going to the Donbas region right now," but added, "If there is a request for support from the DPR and LPR, military assistance will be provided to the two republics."

There have already been reports from U.S. intelligence agencies indicating signs of Russian troops moving into the two regions. CNN cited a senior U.S. official, reporting that "about 800 troops, equivalent to two tactical battalion-sized Russian units, have already entered the Donbas region, confirmed by U.S. authorities." Concerns are rising that if these forces engage with the Ukrainian government troops, Russia is likely to declare full-scale war.

Meanwhile, amid growing fears of full-scale war with Russia, the Ukrainian government declared a state of emergency, which was promptly approved by the parliament. Earlier, the Ukrainian National Defense and Security Council announced that a state of emergency would be declared nationwide except for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by pro-Russian rebels.

Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Defense and Security Council, stated at a press briefing that "the state of emergency will take effect from the 23rd for a period of 30 days and will apply nationwide except for Donetsk and Luhansk regions," adding, "depending on the situation, the president may decide to extend it for another 30 days."

With the declaration of the state of emergency, checkpoints and inspections will be strengthened, and restrictions on going out or nighttime curfews may limit civilians' free movement. Border controls will be enforced, and some political activities and strikes may be prohibited. Danilov added, "As part of the emergency measures, curfews may be imposed in some areas."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.