Ukraine calls up reservists

Ukraine's military issued an order to mobilize reservists on Wednesday after Russia ordered its forces to prepare to support separatist-held areas in the east of the country.

"Reservists from 18 to 60 years old will be called up... Mobilization will start today. The maximum service period is one year," the Ukrainian Ground Forces said in a Facebook message.

Ukraine has more than 200,000 reservists and 250,000 regular armed forces.

Refusal to join without a valid reason may result in “administrative and criminal penalties,” as the armed forces have made clear.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the day before in a televised address dismissed a "general mobilization".

Ukraine also called on its citizens on Wednesday to leave Russia as soon as possible against the backdrop of "the escalation of Russian aggression against Ukraine," as stated in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

About three million Ukrainians live in Russia, according to Ukrainian estimates.

For its part, Russia announced Tuesday the evacuation of its diplomats from Ukraine, accusing the Ukrainian authorities of not doing what was necessary to ensure their safety.

These decisions come after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

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