Ukrainians Are 'Being Kidnapped' In Rebel-Held East

Ukrainian nationals are 'being kidnapped' in the streets and taken to ‘no-one knows where’ as part of a forced military conscription process, according to a citizen of Donetsk. Videos have also shown the region under artillery fire.

In light of Russia’s increasingly ‘threatening behaviour’, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has agreed to send extra military support, including ‘lethal aid’ to Ukraine.

Near to the front line, one source told LADbible that they are afraid to leave the house because of ‘kidnappings’ of men who are taken to ‘no-one knows where’ as part of a forced military conscription programme by the Donetsk People’s Republic.

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This claim has been supported by other sources familiar with the ongoing conflict within the region.

Donetsk has been one of the epicentres of conflict in the region since 2014, when anti-government forces took control.

The source said: "Everything is the same as eight years ago.

"The only thing is that they have not announced evacuations before.

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“Almost all of us stayed at home.

“They had not been forcibly mobilised before, and now I can’t even [go out of the house] calmly.

“Because now people are kidnapped from buses and taken away to no one knows where [or] to the military registration and enlistment offices."

They continued: "They won't let me out [of the house]. We have forced mobilisation to the military registration and enlistment offices, even though they say it's voluntary.

“Only those who have a car were let out. We don't have a car."

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Russian President Vladimir Putin recently recognised the autonomy of separatist regions in Donetsk and Luhansk, sending Russian troops into the areas on ‘peacekeeping duties’. 

The move, which has been widely condemned by the international community, is seen by most as a way for Russia to invade Ukraine sovereign territory under the guise of keeping the peace.

European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have said that they ‘condemn in the strongest possible terms the decision by the Russian President to proceed with the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities'.

The source claimed that only those who were born in Russia or Russian passport holders were allowed to evacuate the area to Russia.

They added: “Most people stayed at home anyway, because there are many looters who rob houses. We were also robbed.

“Now almost everyone who lives here decided to stay so as not to lose their homes.”

In a video statement, the leader of the declared Donetsk People’s Republic, Denis Pushilin said: “I urge my fellow citizens who are in the reserves to come to military conscription offices. Today I signed a decree on general mobilisation.

“I appeal to all the men in the republic who can hold weapons to defend their families, their children, wives, mothers.

“Together we will achieve the coveted victory that we all need.”

LADbible has contacted the Ukraine’s UK embassy for a comment, but has not received a response.