Ukrainian President orders new military mobilization amid intensified fighting

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday signed a decree to call up at least 50,000 military reservists as fighting in the country's eastern regions has intensified.

"I am signing this decree and will hand over it to the parliament for approval," Poroshenko told regional officials at a meeting, reiterating his decision to strengthen the country's defense force as tension in the conflict-torn Donetsk and Lugansk regions has escalated in recent days, causing heavy casualties.

According to the presidential decree, the new round of the military mobilization will be completed in three stages this year, with the first wave to start on Jan. 20.

The decree is expected to reach the floor of the parliament Thursday.

Kiev carried out three waves of partial mobilization last year, calling up troops to take part in a military operation against insurgents in eastern regions, who seek independence from Ukraine. Endite