The leader of a separatist group in eastern Ukraine supported by Russia has declared that residents of his region should leave for Southeast Russia on Friday following an increase in shelling.
Denis Pushilin, leader of Donetsk People’s Republic, announced the evacuation on social media. He further mentioned that Russia has agreed to allow people of the region to take refuge in the country with first preference given to women, children, and elderly.
“As of today, Feb 18, a mass centralised evacuation of the population to the Russian Federation has been organised. Women, children, and the elderly are to be evacuated first,” Pushilin said in a message.
The United States and its allies have expressed concern that Russian actions to invade Ukraine could be part of a plot to increase violence in the region. Russian military deployments to the north, east, and south of Ukraine have already sparked tensions.
On the other hand, Russia denies planning any attack and voiced alarm earlier on Friday over a sharp surge in shelling in the region known as the Donbass.
