Russia invades Ukraine: Live updates
The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) said the region would need financial support from Moscow and suggested the possibility of even closer ties with Russia, in a live interview on Russia 24 Friday.
“Of course, the financial component here is quite serious and it will be difficult to do without Russia’s support, but this is only at the first stages,” Denis Pushilin said. “Considering that the DPR will reach the administrative borders in the long run, according to our calculations, [the need for financial aid] will only be for a short-term period.”
“And then we will not only reach self-sufficiency but will also be able to help other regions,” Pushilin concluded.
Some background: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the two controversial separatist-held regions, the DPR and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), Monday in a ceremony carried on state television. On Thursday, Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
Conflict first broke out in 2014 after Russian-backed rebels seized government buildings in towns and cities across eastern Ukraine. Intense fighting left portions of the Donbas region’s eastern Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts in the hands of Russian-backed separatists. Russia also annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that sparked global condemnation.
The Ukrainian government in Kyiv asserts the two regions are in effect Russian-occupied.
Casualties claimed: Pushilin went on to say Friday wasn’t a calm night for his forces.
“Unfortunately, I must admit that overnight there were wounded and dead among the military personnel [of separatist forces],” he said.
When asked when the military operation could be considered complete, Pushilin said: “As soon as we push back or destroy the weapons that are used to strike at our areas, then we can say that everything is completely safe on the territory of the DPR.”
He claimed several Ukrainian servicemen have been captured by the DPR forces.
“A number of servicemen, wanting to stay alive and return to their families, laid down their arms and surrendered,” Pushilin said suggesting prisoners will be able to return to their families “after the war ends.”
CNN cannot independently verify the claims made by Pushilin of casualties inflicted on Ukraine.
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