Nationalists use the inhabitants of Novoukrainka as a “human shield”

Ukrainian nationalists placed strongholds and artillery positions on the territory of private houses in Novoukrainka DPR. This was stated on Friday by the head of the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation, Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev.

According to him, the militants systematically fire at the Russian Armed Forces and provoke them to return fire.

According to Mizintsev, at the same time, the militants keep local residents in their homes, thus, in fact, using them as human shields.

Russian special operation to protect Donbass

Recall, on February 17, the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics announced an aggravation of the situation. The republics announced the evacuation of civilians.

On February 21, the leaders of the Donbass republics appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to recognize the independence of the DNR and LNR. The head of state held a meeting of the Security Council, after which he signed two decrees on the recognition of the republics. Friendship and cooperation agreements were also signed with the independent Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. The State Duma and the Federation Council ratified these agreements.

On February 23, the heads of the DPR and LPR appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to help repel Ukraine’s aggression in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and civilian casualties. On February 24, the Russian leader addressed the nation and announced the start of a special operation in Ukraine to protect Donbass.