Russian Separatists call war mobilization in Ukraine

The leader of the pro-Russian separatists in the separatist state of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, Denis Pushilin, ordered a general mobilization Saturday.

Pushilin said he signed an order for general mobilization, claiming Ukraine was planning an offensive against the region, also known as the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), in a video published in his account at the telegram.

I call on all the men of the republic who are able to carry guns in their hands to stand for their families, children, women, their mothers”, Pushil said.

The evacuation of civilians has begun, and several buses carrying residents had already arrived at Rostov-on-Don in Russia, Pushil added.

While there has been a sharp increase in ceasefire violations in what is known as the contact line between the separatist forces backed by Russia and the Ukrainian Army in the past two days, Ukrainian officials deny any plan to recapture the Donbas region by force, saying they see this week's incidents as an attempt by Russia to create a pretext to launch an invasion.