Russian President Vladimir Putin called on pro-federalization fighters in Ukraine to let out the trapped Kiev troops.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called on pro-federalization fighters in Ukraine to let out the trapped Kiev troops.

In a statement issued after midnight Thursday, Putin said: ““It is clear the self-defense militia has achieved a major success in intercepting Kiev’s military operation, which represents a grave danger to the population of Donbass and which has already led to the loss of many lives among peaceful residents.”

As a result of militias’ counter-offense, large numbers of Ukrainian troops – many of whom were taking part in Kiev’s so-called anti-terrorist operation “against their will” and “just following orders” – have been surrounded, the Russian leader added.

“I call on the militia groups to open a humanitarian corridor for Ukrainian service members who have been surrounded, so as to avoid any needless loss of life, giving them the opportunity to leave the combat area unimpeded and reunite with their families, to return them to their mothers, wives and children, and to quickly provide medical assistance to those who were injured in the course of the military operation,” Putin said.

Meanwhile, he called on Kiev to "immediately halt military action, cease fire, sit down at the negotiating table and speak with representatives of the Donbass, and solve all of the problems which have built up exclusively by peaceful means".

The Russian president called on the pro-federalization fighters to provide wounded Ukrainian soldiers with medical help and said Russia is "ready and will provide humanitarian aid to the people of the Donbas who are suffering from this humanitarian catastrophe".

Russia last week sent into eastern Ukraine a convoy of more than 200 lorries, carrying over 1,800 tons of aid to areas in Ukraine’s east.