Moscow authorities say they know nothing of such an operation.
In a dubious maneuver and evident overreaction, the separatist leader of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, Denís Pushilin, has just today ordered the “massive” evacuation to Russia of the civilians residing in the enclave, explaining that the cause is due to the fact that the Ukrainian troops “plan an offensive”. Likewise, he urged “the inhabitants capable of wielding weapons” to prepare to “defend the republic.”
The secessionist administration has denounced the violation of the ceasefire in the last 24 hours by the Ukrainian Army, against which they continue to fight after a conflict that caused more than 13,000 deaths in 2014. However, in Moscow nobody knows anything about the operation . “I don’t know what’s going on with Pushilin,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov has just admitted.
There is also no information on emergency deployment for refugees at border checkpoints with Russia. According to the publication Znak.ru, in the office of the governor of the Rostov-on-Don region, where everything is supposedly prepared to receive the civilians of Donetsk, “they have learned about Pushilin’s order from the news on television” .
“As of today, February 18, a centralized mass departure of the population to the Russian Federation has been organized. First of all, women, children and the elderly are subject to evacuation,” Pushilin announced today. In his words, the device “has been agreed with the Russian authorities and the places for the reception and accommodation of our citizens are ready in the Rostov region.”
Such an operation would mean an exodus of tens of thousands of people and it is symptomatic that no one from Moscow has made any comment. “The evacuees will be provided with everything they need. All the conditions for a quick passage through the checkpoints have been created. We ask you to listen and make the right decision. The temporary evacuation will save the life and health of you and your loved ones,” Pushilin emphasized, implying that the order is not mandatory.
The rebel leader also claims to have informed “those responsible for companies and institutions that it will be necessary to organize the departure of the families of their employees.” According to him, “the territorial defense headquarters will provide transportation for the evacuation of the civilian population. Dear compatriots, I ask you to remain calm. Together we will stand firm and win.”
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