Donetsk and Lugansk separatists celebrate Russia’s decision to recognize their independence
“Hooray, Russia!” With these cries the separatists celebrate the recent decision of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, to recognize the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk. Dozens of citizens took to the streets with Russian flags to proclaim their gratitude in style. Happiness, alcohol and many fireworks are the protagonists of the celebration, in which the Russian national anthem fills Lenin Square with an atmosphere through loudspeakers.
“This is very important to me,” says Dmitry, a former member of a pro-Russian separatist militia. “I know that the blood I shed with my comrades and our work and effort and civilian losses were not in vain all this time,” he adds during the celebration. Like dozens of other people, Dmitry anxiously awaited the arrival of Russian troops in the territory. “This great people of Donbass has suffered so much that these troops need it now. They’ve had enough blood, enough death,” he recounts as a convoy of at least a dozen vehicles waving large Russian tricolors and honking their horns makes its way through the city center. “Russia, hurray!” shout some drivers.
After recognizing the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, Putin has signed a decree ordering his Ministry of Defense to “guarantee peace” in both rebel enclaves by sending Russian troops to their territories. Tanks and other military vehicles have already been seen on the streets of the largest city in the breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine.
The arrival of the troops from Moscow will mark a before and after in full escalation of tensions. “I hope they will put an end to Ukraine’s provocative actions,” says Vyacheslav, a 60-year-old man. I think the other side will also think and decide to move on to peace negotiations.”
The leaders of the two separatist republics of Donbass, Denís Pushilin of Donetsk, and Leonid Pásechnik of Lugansk, had previously asked the Russian president to recognize their respective territories as independent and to sign military cooperation agreements with them.
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