Donetsk: Pro-Russian separatists vowed on Monday to mobilise up to 100,000 fighters for their latest east Ukraine offensive as the United States mulled sending weapons to Kiev’s outgunned forces after the latest truce bid collapsed.
The pledge to dramatically escalate a nine-month conflict that has already left at least 5,100 people dead came as the rebels battled to encircle the beleaguered transport hub of Debaltseve.
“There will be general mobilisation in the (separatist) Donetsk People’s Republic in 10 days’ time, we plan on mobilising up to 100,000 men,” rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko told the separatist news agency DAN.
Ukrainian army spokesman Andriy Lysenko …read more
Source: The Gulf Today
