Donetsk rebel leader from Russia resigns in surprise move, appoints Ukrainian

Bordodai, a Russian national, steps down amid growing tensions from within the separatists’ ranks and as Ukrainian government forces move to encircle the city of Donetsk. 

He will be replaced by Alexander Zakharchenko, a Ukrainian citizen from Donetsk Oblast and member of the militant group Oplot, who has been a major player in the insurgency against Kyiv’s government forces since the onslaught of its military offensive in April.

Looking casual in a black t-shirt with his trademark blue blazer, Borodai told journalists inside the rebel headquarters in Donetsk that he “came as a crisis manager,” and claimed that under his leadership “the Donetsk People’s Republic became a state.” 

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