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Donetsk Separatists Appeal to UN Over 'Genocide'

A pro-Russian separatist bids wife farewell as she prepares to escape fighting in Donetsk. Maxim Zmeyev / Reuters

Pro-Russian separatists from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic have called on the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to recognize the actions of Ukraine's army in eastern Ukraine as acts of genocide and crimes against humanity.

"We have repeatedly spoken of the constant violations by the Ukrainian side of all basic international norms and standards, which has led to today's genocide and a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe," a statement published on Twitter by the Union of People's Republics, or Novorossia, said on Wednesday.

The pro-Russian leaders of Novorossia have also issued the Ukrainian military an ultimatum, saying all troops must withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk within 24 hours.

In addition, Ukraine must recognize the border with Novorossia as the border of another sovereign nation, the statement said, and any armed groups ? «remaining on the territory will be classified as terrorists and corresponding measures will be taken against them."

See also:

Moscow, Kiev Trade Accusations of Cross-Border Attacks

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