The Russian military arrived in Slavyansk and armed the separatists. Strelkov and his soldiers captured the administrative buildings. They announced the transfer of the city under the control of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. Later, Russian military Igor Strelkov declared himself commander of the armed forces of the Donetsk People's Republic.

On April 14, the text of Decree No. 405/2014 on the start of the anti-terrorist operation was posted on the website of the President of Ukraine: “To put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated April 13, 2014 “On urgent measures to overcome the terrorist threat and preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine” ".