On Monday, February 21, 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognising two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities.
Pro-Russian activists reacted with fireworks in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine
Please click on the images for a look at the events at the Kremlin and its aftermath in Donetsk.
IMAGE: Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a video address to the nation, following his country's parliament and security council to recognise two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities.
Photograph: Russian Pool/Reuters
IMAGE: Putin chairs a meeting with members of his security council.
Photograph: Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky/Kremlin/Reuters
IMAGE: Putin signs the decree recognising two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities.
Photograph: Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky/Kremlin/Reuters
IMAGE: Putin appears on a screen at the White House briefing room signing the decree.
Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters
IMAGE: Fireworks explode in the sky over the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine, after Putin signed the decree.
Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
IMAGE: Jubilant pro-Russia separatists.
Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
IMAGE: The pro-Russia separatists express their emotions.
Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
IMAGE: The Russian flag flutters as the pro-Russia separatists celebrate.
Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
IMAGE: The night sky is lit up with fireworks.
Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
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