Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday ordered the demobilization of students from the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, now annexed by Russia, for their return to the classroom to continue their studies.
«Now the people’s militia forces are integrated into the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation following the entry of the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic into Russia. Putin has ordered us to demobilize the students and return them to their places of study,» explained Kemlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by the Russian press.
Days before the large-scale mobilization for war in Ukraine, the two pro-Russian Ukrainian republics announced their own mobilizations and tens of thousands of men were enlisted, including students.
Neighbors in the area reported raids on private homes to forcibly remove the recruits, the opposition has denounced.
