Separatists vow to seize more territory in the East
The leader of the pro-Russian separatists on January 23 announced that he would continue to invade more territories in eastern Ukraine.
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Illustrative photo of Ukrainian government forces - Photo: Reuters |
Separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko in Donetsk province (eastern Ukraine) made the above statement as Kiev continued to accuse Russian military units of supporting separatists against Ukrainian government forces, according to AFP.
Mr Zakharchenko affirmed that the separatists will not attend any more peace talks and will continue to expand the area of control in eastern Ukraine.
Western countries and the Ukrainian government have accused the separatists of stepping up attacks in violation of the ceasefire agreement reached in September 2014.
Russia has vehemently denied Western accusations that Moscow is sending troops and weapons to aid the separatists who control large parts of eastern Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the Ukrainian government of ordering a “large-scale offensive operation” against separatists, causing civilian deaths in recent clashes.
Fierce fighting and shelling between separatists and Ukrainian government forces continued on January 23, killing at least three Ukrainian soldiers, wounding 50 others and killing at least one civilian, the Ukrainian military said.
According to Thanh Nien
