The leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk have signed general mobilization decrees as the conflict escalates, DW reported.

Leaders of the two breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine ordered full military mobilization on Saturday.

"I urge fellow countrymen who are in the reserve to come to the military commissariats. Today I have signed a decree on general mobilization," self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic leader, Denis Pushilin, said in a video message.

Another separatist leader, Leonid Pasechnik, signed a similar decree for the Luhansk People's Republic shortly afterwards.