Ukraine Defense Min appeals to Donbass citizens to not be complicit in Russian aggression

Amid ravaging conflict between Kremlin and Kyiv, Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has appealed to citizens of disputed regions-- Dostek and Luhansk to t be complicit in inhumane crimes of Russian invers. Apart from citizens of Donbas, he also appealed to nationals in Makiivka, Horlivka, Yenakijeve, Alchevsk, Chervonyi Luch, Krasdon and or cities to t support inving Russian forces, citing latter's war of crime. Taking to Facebook, Reznikov penned a lengthy post wherein he reiterated his plea before Russian troops to t heed orders of ir leer Vlimir Putin and appealed to assist in restoring peace in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Defense Minister also anticipated that death toll in disputed region would reach nearly a thousand if Russia does t halt invasion with immediate effect. " Kremlin has started a full-scale war under guise that you “need to be protected”. You kw better than I do what this “protection” really turned out to be," Oleksii Reznikov wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

"w only for Ukraine as a whole, but for you personally. For your loved ones and neighbours. You kw better than I do that in se three weeks of escalation, hundreds of people were killed in your cities. Ordinary people that were dragged out of factories and mines were handed a rifle and thrown under bullets," he furr ded.

Over 2,000 Ukrainian civilians were slain in war

It is pertinent to mention here that Russia initiated a full-fledged war against Ukraine nearly two days after Russian President Vlimir Putin signed a decree recognising independence of breakaway regions Donetsk and Luhansk. Putin's action came despite West's repetitive warning and speculations about his ill-intention to inve Ukraine. Until n, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy h called his Russian counterpart to meet him, seeking a resolution to avert war. However, on February 24, Russian troops started a military operation against Ukraine, resulting in heavy shelling and killing of more than 2,000 Ukrainian civilians-- a claim which has been fluctuating ever since onset of ongoing war. "We still consider you citizens of Ukraine. We consider you our own. If you have t committed crimes - you are safe," Reznikov told residents of ORDLO. 

Im: Facebook/AP