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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Self-proclaimed Luhansk Republic will not draft potential migrants from Ukraine into army

LPR head Igor Plotnitsky told a news briefing that the republic was ready to accommodate those Ukrainian civilians who may wish to move of their own accord

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

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No need for general mobilization in self-proclaimed Luhansk republic — LPR leader

MOSCOW, February 3. /TASS/. The head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk Republic, Igor Plotnitsky, has promised that all potential migrants from Ukraine who may decide to resettle there will be exempt from conscription.

He told a news briefing on Tuesday that the Luhansk Republic was ready to accommodate those Ukrainian civilians who may wish to move of their own accord.

"We are not fighting this war against the people. There (in Ukraine) we have very many relatives and friends. Those who may decide to come here are welcome," the LuhanskInformCenter quotes Plotnitsky as saying.

"I will tell you more. We will not draft them into the army. Live a normal life, restore the economy, help us the way you can. We have enough of those prepared to fight," Plotnitsky said.

About the reports saying the authorities in Kiev had imposed restrictions on the movement of draft-age men about the country’s territory Plotnitsky said that the position of Ukrainian men looked worse than that of serfs.

"It’s worse than serfdom. The serf knew that he was a serf and had the right to bailout. In this case there are no bailout rights. Human beings are no longer treated as humans. They have been left no right to chose — either to go and fight and risk one’s life, or go to jail or elsewhere," Plotnitsky said.

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Eastern Ukraine

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