Support The Moscow Times!

200 Pro-Russian Fighters Swear Oaths in Donetsk

Two-hundred pro-Russian separatists — 10 of them female — took an oath to the Donetsk People's Republic on Sunday, the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War, Interfax reported.

The ceremony opened with a moment of silence for the pro-Russian separatists who were killed in recent battles with Ukrainian troops.

Last week, Ukrainian authorities said about 300 pro-Russian separatists had been killed as the Kiev government struggled to reassert control in the predominantly Russian-speaking east.

At Sunday's ceremony, portraits of the dead were set up around the city's monument to Vladimir Lenin, where mourners placed carnations as a makeshift memorial.

The self-proclaimed leader of Novorossia, Pavel Gubarev, was also present to congratulate the 200 new fighters, who were later due to head to Slovyansk.

A major separatist stronghold, Slovyansk has seen some of the most intense fighting between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian rebels this month.

See also:

In Parts of East Ukraine, a Daily Struggle to Survive

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more