All news

Donetsk republic to announce military mobilization in 10 days — leader

Militias' forces will be boosted to around 100,000 men

DONETSK, February 2. /TASS/. Authorities in east Ukraine’s self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic said on Monday they were planning a general mobilization in 10 days to boost their forces to 100,000 men.

The republic’s leader, Alexander Zakharchenko, told journalists that people would be called up on a voluntary basis.

"We want to mobilize the number of people needed to increase the numerical strength of our army to 100,000," Zakharchenko said. "This will be a voluntary mobilisation."

"Our enemy is building up its forces in the south - the Donetsk airport, the city of Peski and the Opytnyi district - probably for an attack… and we should adjust to the situation", he said, adding that at least five additional units would be formed and trained until spring, including motorised rifle, artillery and tank brigades.