The head of the occupation administration of Donetsk Region, Dmytro Pushylin, announced the start of the evacuation of all civilians from the occupied territory. According to him, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing a massive military operation to liberate the occupied territories.

"From today, February 18, organized mass centralized departure of the population to the Russian Federation. Women, children and the elderly are to be evacuated first and foremost. We earnestly ask you to listen and make the right decision," Dmitry Pushilin said.

According to the head of the occupation administration, according to the agreement with the Russian leadership in Rostov region, there are places of reception and accommodation for residents of the DPR ready.

"The evacuees will be provided with everything they need. All conditions have been created at the checkpoints for a quick transition. The heads of enterprises and institutions need to organize the departure of the families of employees. The headquarters of the territorial defense - to provide transport for the evacuation of civilians," said Pushilin. 

Amid the escalation in the Donbas, the leader of the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic" Leonid Pasechnik also announced the evacuation of the population. Local residents intend to be evacuated to the territory of Russia.

This is reported in the media.

"I instruct the heads of territories, law enforcement agencies, and emergency services to ensure the organized evacuation of social facilities and help the population to be transported to border checkpoints," Pasechnik said.

According to him, Russia is ready to ensure an organized reception and accommodation of residents of certain districts of Luhansk Region on its territory. In addition, he called on "all those who are capable of holding weapons in their hands to stand up for their land.