Article from February 23

The Kremlin on Wednesday said Moscow-backed rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine have asked Russia for military assistance to fight off Ukrainian "aggression," just hours after Ukraine declared a nationwide state of emergency amid rising fears of an imminent Russian invasion.

The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognized the independence of two Kremlin-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, the self-described "people's republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk, reversing Russia's years-long stance on the region and marking a possible lead-up to a major offensive.

On Tuesday, Russian lawmakers granted Putin powers to use military force outside of the country.

In letters reportedly sent to Putin and published by the Russian-state TASS news agency, the Russia-backed rebel leaders requested Russian intervention in an effort to "avoid civilian casualties and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe."

https://www.businessinsider.com/kremlin-backed-leader-asks-putin-for-help-fighting-ukrainian-forces-2022-2