Video: Donetsk Residents Evacuated to Rostov, Calls from Donetsk Leader

Denis Pushilin, the leader of the unrecognized Donetsk People's Republic, has issued a message to the citizens of the republic regarding the evacuation of residents. In his speech, he stated that Ukrainian forces have put residential areas and peaceful civilians, including children, under fire with military equipment deployed along the entire front line. He mentioned that Zelensky is likely to soon command an invasion into the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Pushilin emphasized that they are fully prepared to defend Donetsk, the country's infrastructure, and residential areas. However, to protect the civilian population, they are commencing evacuations starting today, February 18.

He stated that an agreement has been reached with the Russian Federation to transport people to the city of Rostov, where everything is prepared and suitable conditions exist for temporary accommodation.

Watch the full speech in the video.