According to a report, a seperatist leader has called on residents to flee to Russia amid the tense military standoff between Ukraine and Moscow. Reportedly, the head of the self proclaimed republic said in a statement that the Ukrainian army planned to seize Donbas by force, and that civilians needed to be evacuated.
According to the report, he accused Ukrainian forces of having amassed troops and lethal weapons along the point of contact, and claimed that the army is in combat formation, and ready. Reportedly, he said, the lives and health of our citizens may be endangered. For this reason, as from today, 18 February a mass centralised evacuation of the population to Russia has been organised in cooperation with Moscow, with reception and accommodation facilities for our citizens in the Rostov region. All conditions have been created for a quick transition at the checkpoints. Women, children and the elderly are to be the first to be evacuated.