Duma Speaker: Russia to protect its citizens in Donetsk, Lugansk if they are in danger

MOSCOW- Russia is ready to protect Russian citizens in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics if their lives are in danger, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Telegram on Saturday, according to Itar Tass news agency.

“Russia doesn’t want war. Our President Vladimir Putin repeatedly said this earlier and is saying this these days,” Volodin said. “If danger arises to the lives of Russians and compatriots living in the DPR and LPR, our country will defend them.”

The Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics on Friday announced evacuations of their population to Russia as the situation in Donbass took a turn for the worse.

Rostov Region Governor Vasily Golubev asked for federal help. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered that refugees arriving in the region be paid 10,000 rubles each, and Russia’s top emergency situations and sanitary officials are on the way to the region.

 Shell explodes in Russia 1 km from border with Ukraine – source

Moreover, a shell exploded on Saturday in Russia’s Rostov Region 1 kilometer from the border with Ukraine, a law enforcement source said.

“The shell exploded on the territory of the Tarasovsky District of the Rostov Region, 1 kilometer from the border of Russia and Ukraine,” the source said. “The explosion occurred at 4:00 Moscow time 300 meters from a house.”

 Leaders of Lugansk and Donetsk republics orders general mobilization

The self-proclaimed people’s republics of Lugansk and Donetsk on Saturday announce general mobilization after the situation in Donbass province has exacerbated.

Head of the Lugansk Republic Leonid Pasechnik has ordered general mobilization.

“General mobilization shall be announced on the territory of the Lugansk People’s Republic,” Pasechnik said in a decree published online. “The People’s Council of the LPR, the LPR government shall be immediately notified about the announcement of mobilization”.

According to Itar Tass News Agency, the decree said the mobilization aims to create conditions for repelling an aggression against the LPR by Ukraine. It orders full battle readiness for the People’s Militia and other military units. The republic also prohibited men aged 18 through 55 from leaving the region.

Head of the Donetsk Republic Denis Pushilin has also ordered general mobilization.

“I’m urging fellow citizens who are in the reserve to report to military conscription offices,” he said in a video address on Saturday. “I have signed a decree on general mobilization today.”.

“We will protect Donbass and all Russian people,” he said.

Pushilin also ordered the government to shift the economy to work in wartime conditions, according to the decree.

The DPR legislature on Saturday approved the mobilization, which put the decree in effect.

The situation along the contact line in Donbass took a turn for the worse on Thursday morning. Ukrainian units shelled more than 10 population centers in the Donbass republics overnight, Tass reported.

Meantime, Deputy Head of the People’s Militia in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Eduard Basurin said Ukrainian forces tried to spread leaflets in Donetsk in order to instigate panic among peaceful population during the organized evacuation.

 Source: Itar Tass