Kiev targets Slavyansk residential areas
Iran Press TV
Tue May 20, 2014 2:50PM GMT
Ukraine's government troops stationed outside the country's eastern city of Slavyansk in the Donetsk region have targeted residential areas of the city.
Several houses were destroyed during the overnight attack on Tuesday, though there have been no reports of fatalities yet.
The attack has sparked anger among the residents as anti-Kiev sentiments continue to rise.
"The 'active phase' of the Ukrainian security forces' operation continued in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk last night. The Molocharsky market was destroyed almost completely. Fighter jets were flying over the city all night long. Furthermore, tanks of the Ukrainian army attempted to enter the area from the direction of the city of Izium of the Kharkov region. However, we placed our military hardware in their way," a spokesman for the local self-defense headquarters said.
The acting Kiev government has been staging military operations in the eastern and southern regions since mid-April in a bid to root out pro-Moscow demonstrations.
Last month, the government launched the operation against pro-Russia protesters who have seized over a dozen towns.
Pro-Russian demonstrators have already declared independence in Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk.
Nearly 130 people have so far been killed during clashes and operations by Ukrainian troops in the east and the south, according to figures from the United Nations.
GMA/AB
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