LUHANSK, July 24 /ITAR-TASS/. The Luhansk People’s Republic announced full voluntary mobilization on Thursday as fierce fighting continued between local self-defense fighters and the Ukrainian military in the east Ukrainian region.

“The treacherous military attack by fascist Ukraine on our Motherland is continuing,” says a mobilization decree signed by Luhansk People’s Republic head Valery Bolotov.

“Despite the heroic resistance of the army of the Luhansk People’s Republic and despite the fact that the enemy’s best battalions and aviation squadrons have been defeated and found their grave on battlefields, the enemy continues pushing forward, committing new forces to the front,” the decree said.

“Its human resources are not boundless. With some more fighting, the Ukrainian fascists will run out of people capable of conducting combat operations at least somehow,” the decree said.

“What is needed to crush the enemy? It is necessary for people to understand this and stop being unconcerned. They need to mobilize themselves and readjust to a new military mode that knows no mercy for the enemy,” the decree said.

The Luhansk People’s Republic head announced full mobilization to reinforce the local army.

“We are urging everyone who can hold arms to join the ranks of the LPR army voluntarily, honestly and consciously,” the decree said.

Pro-Kiev troops and local militias in the eastern Ukrainian Donetsk and Luhansk regions are involved in fierce clashes as the Ukrainian armed forces are conducting a military operation to regain control over the breakaway regions, which on May 11 proclaimed their independence at local referendums.

During the military operation, Kiev has used armored vehicles, heavy artillery and attack aviation. Many buildings have been destroyed and tens of thousands of people have had to flee Ukraine’s embattled east.