Russian-backed separatists mobilise forces, Putin oversees missile launch drills

Tensions escalate, Russian-backed separatist leaders have declared full military mobilisation. Leaders of the breakaway regions - Donetsk & Luhansk, signed decrees on mobilisation. East Ukraine is war-torn, West fears that Russia could use violence in the region as an excuse to invade. Earlier on Friday, the Russia-backed separatists announced plans to evacuate lakhs of people. Amid the influx of refugees, the Russian region of Rostov has declared an emergency.