The head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, announced on Monday that the general mobilization in the republic has been suspended.

On February 19, Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) and Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) announced a general mobilization in the two republics.

Pushilin told the Rossiya 24 broadcaster that "As for mobilization, it is suspended because the required number of those areas that the mobilization campaign was aimed at have already been filled."

The head of the DPR had signed a decree on general mobilization in the republic, urging nationals who are in reserve to come to the military commissariats.

“I urge fellow countrymen who are in reserve to come to the military commissariats. Today I signed a decree on general mobilization."

Pushilin added that "large-scale shelling by Ukraine of the territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics is underway. Only in recent days, our army has prevented several attempts at terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian special services," stressing that the DPR will be able to contain Kiev's assault.

During the shelling, the Ukrainian Armed Forces deployed mortars, grenade launchers, and anti-tank missile systems, while DPR forces held back the enemy with return fire, Pushilin said.

Moscow: The Ukrainian government has lost its legitimacy

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent to Crimea reported that "the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the government in Ukraine has lost its legitimacy." 

Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent to Kiev quoted the mayor of the Ukrainian city of Berdyansk as announcing that "all official buildings in the city fell into the hands of the Russian forces."

Furthermore, Russian forces are moving north from Crimea in order to encircle the city of Kharkov from all sides according to our correspondent to Crimea.