Ukrainian pro-government paramilitaries ignored their president since the very beginning. Also you are heavily overestimating a Russian control over the rebels.
Yes, they must have ignored it when the Russkies declared they are going to take Mariupol.
Also you are heavily overestimating a Russian control over the rebels.
Let me think.
1) Russkie Separatists openly recruited in major Russian cities in a country that is a police state 2) are entering through Russian controlled border crossings, 3) usually on tanks and other armor, using Russian weapons, and are raping and pillaging through Ukraine 4) followed up by regular Russian troops whose mama's are just now realizing are being sent back in coffins, killed under mysterious circumstances; 5) And the whole thing is being commanded by "former" GRU/FSB agents who are attempting to establish a Russian controlled separatist enclave just like in Moldova and Georgia.
No Russkie, I'm not overestimating anything.