Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Ukraine separatists ask for Russian military for help. The leaders of Donetsk and Luhansk have asked Russian forces to enter their breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine to “help repel the aggression by the armed forces and units of Ukraine”.
Ukraine separatists ask for Russian military for help
“Their appeals stress that because of the deteriorating situation and Kyiv’s threats, citizens of the republics have been forced to leave their homes and their evacuation to Russia continues,” he said, according to TASS news agency.
“The Kyiv regime is geared towards resolving the conflict by force,” states an appeal by the separatists, relayed by Peskov.
Russian authorities have cited a number of incidents in eastern Ukraine as a possible justification for military action.
But the US has accused Russia of plotting so-called false flag incidents, provocations staged to create a pretext for action.
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Ukraine has declared a state of emergency for 30 days, from midnight tonight local time (22:00 GMT)
The bill was approved by Ukraine’s parliament just now. It introduces personal document checks and gives the government power to impose a curfew if needed.
Ukraine will impose restrictions on a range of digital and radio communication services, which the government says could inflame the situation.
And it means military reservists will not be allowed to leave the country.
The declaration affects all of Ukraine apart from two eastern regions which have been in a state of emergency since 2014.
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