Ukrainian rebels ask Putin for military assistance

MOSCOW – Republic Donbass newly recognized in Lugansk and Donetsk has officially requested military assistance to Russia in a letter published on Wednesday.

In it, their leaders claim that a new “aggression” Ukraine has increased since Moscow recognized the region as an independent state earlier this week.

The heads of the Donbass People’s Republic (DPR) and the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) wrote to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin separately, but both letters are dated Tuesday, February 22.

Denis Pushilin of the House of Representatives and his LPR counterpart Leonid Pasechnik used articles three and four of their recently ratified agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance with Russia, calling on Moscow to “provide assistance in repelling the military aggression of the Ukrainian regime,” which they claim is fomenting war against them.

The two leaders put forward articles 3 and 4 of the newly ratified treaty on cooperation and mutual assistance with Russia, asking Moscow to “provide assistance in repelling the military aggression of the Ukrainian regime,” which they said was being waged against them.

“Ukrainian aggression is increasing,” Pushilin wrote, citing an alleged increase in artillery shelling targeting critical civilian infrastructure and reportedly leaving 300,000 people without water after the republic’s main aqueduct was hit.

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The DPR leader claims Ukraine is continuing what he calls a “genocide” against civilians, which appears to have forced the evacuation of more than 40,000 people so far.

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