DONETSK. Feb 18 (Interfax) - Residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) are being evacuated to the Rostov region of Russia due to growing tensions in the region, DPR head Denis Pushilin said.
"The mass, centralized departure of the population to the Russian Federation has been organized starting today, February 18. Women, children and elderly people are to be evacuated first," Pushilin said in his address to DPR residents on Friday.
"Space to accommodate citizens is ready under an agreement with the Russian Federation. All necessities will be provided to those evacuated," he said.