LUHANSK, February 18. /TASS/. Alexander Zakharchenko, the leader of east Ukraine's self-proclaimed Donetsk republic who was wounded on February 17, has returned to the city of Donetsk after surgery at Luhansk hospital, leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk republic Igor Plotnisky said Wednesday.

"He is already home, in Donetsk," Plotnitsky said.

The head of Donetsk leader’s administration, Maxim Leschenko, told journalists that Zakharchenko is "undergoing rehabilitation in Donetsk."

Zakharchenko was injured in combat near Debaltsevo on Tuesday and taken to a hospital in Luhansk. The DPR defense ministry later confirmed that Zakharchenko had received an exit gunshot wound to his leg.