Aleksandr Zakharchenko

Arseny Pavlov, a military leader of the pro-Russian rebels known by his nom de guerre "Motorola," has been killed in an explosion in Donetsk.

"Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is violating the ceasefire and has declared war on us," said Aleksandr Zakharchenko, who is the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.

Donetsk and Lugansk regions hold elections

DONETSK -- Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) Aleksandr Zakharchenko has declared victory in Sunday's elections....

Leaders of self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics have urged the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to ensure control over the ceasefire observance in southeast Ukraine.

Kiev officials and representatives of pro-Russian rebels have signed a ceasefire agreement at their meeting in Minsk, Friday.

Surrounded Ukrainian troops to be allowed to leave

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on pro-Russian forces in Ukraine to provide a humanitarian corridor for the Ukrainian soldiers they have surrounded.

Leaders of the self-proclaimed People's Republic of Donetsk accepted this initiative - provided that the troops first disarm.

The Prime Minister of the breakaway pro-Russian enclave in eastern Ukraine, the Republic of Donetsk, on Monday said 14 Serbian volunteers had joined his embattled forces.

Aleksandr Zakharchenko said his troops were drawing volunteers from all over the world, Russia's NTV reported.