The leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasecniks, asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize the independence of pseudo-republics, reports RIA Novosti.

Pushilin said that the Ukrainian authorities allegedly decided to resolve the conflict by force, so he asks Putin to consider concluding a cooperation agreement between Russia and Donetsk People’s Republic.

Puhsiliyn also asked to include in the agreement between Russia and …

The leader of the pro-Russian militants, Denis Pushilin, said that Ukrainian soldiers allegedly carry out massive shelling of the territories, which are not under Kyiv’s control, and called on the male population of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics to take up arms.

"In recent days alone, the artillery of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has fired more than 1,700 mortars and shells on residential areas. We are being hit with heavy artillery, mortars, grenade launchers and …

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold an emergency meeting of the Russia Security Council.  According to Peskov, "this is a big Security Council meeting". "The president himself and other speakers will speak " at the meeting, Peskov said.

Peskov did not provide the reason for convening the Security Council.

"Also, the president has several international telephone conversations today," said Peskov.

"In recent days, the situation in the Donbass has escalated - Kyiv ignores the agreements, …