Russia Orders Troops to Ukrainian Separatist Regions following Putin Recognition

Russia has ordered troops to the two separatist regions of Ukraine’s Donbas territory to fulfill “peacekeeping functions,” per an official order from the Kremlin, following Russian president Vladimir Putin’s recognition of their independence Monday.

Prior to Moscow’s decree, published shortly after Putin’s announcement recognizing the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, the Pentagon had anticipated that Russia would invade the two zones by Monday night.