The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, ordered to send Russian troops to the east of Ukraine "to maintain peace." This is evidenced by Vladimir Putin's decrees published on the Kremlin's official website.
"In connection with the appeal of the head of the "Donetsk People's Republic", the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is instructed to ensure, until the conclusion of the agreement mentioned in paragraph 3 of this decree, the implementation of peacekeeping functions by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of the "Donetsk People's Republic"...
In connection with the appeal of the head of the "Luhansk People's Republic", the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is instructed to ensure, until the conclusion of the agreement referred to in paragraph 3 of this decree, the implementation of peacekeeping functions by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of the "Luhansk People's Republic".
Decrees enter into force from the day of signing.
Immediately after that, on Monday evening, eyewitnesses in Donetsk reported the movement of large echelons of military equipment and servicemen from the city center in the direction of the front line with Ukrainian troops.
