Ukraine's Military to Continue Eastern Offensive
by VOA News May 30, 2014
Ukraine officials vowed Friday to continue a military offensive against pro-Russian rebels in the country's east, after separatists there shot down a helicopter, killing at least a dozen servicemen.
Acting Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval told reporters his forces have completely cleared separatists from the southern and western parts of the Donetsk region, as well as the northern part of the neighboring Luhansk region. He said the mission will continue until peace and order is restored.
But a spokesman for Ukraine's so-called anti-terrorist operation reported fighting took place Thursday night in the restive Luhansk region, which borders Russia.
Speaking to reporters by phone, Vladislav Seleznyov said rebels attacked a Ukrainian military base.
'There is information that the Luhansk military base was besieged by terrorists,' Seleznyov told reporters in a conference call. 'They made three attempts to capture it ... using Kalashnikovs [rifles], other small arms and grenade launchers.'
Koval said more than 20 service members have been killed in eastern Ukraine since the government launched an 'anti-terrorist' operation there in mid-April.
He spoke a day after separatists shot down a military helicopter near the flashpoint eastern city of Slovyansk, killing at least 12 servicemen, including a general.
US concerns
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Thursday's attack indicates separatists have access 'to advanced weaponry and other assistance from outside.'
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also raised concerns Thursday with his Russian counterpart about the ongoing violence and about reports of foreign fighters crossing into Ukraine from Russian territory.
Troop withdrawal
Separately, a NATO official Friday said Russia continues to move troops away from its border with Ukraine. In a statement, the unidentified military officer said two-thirds of the troops have pulled back, but that several thousand remain in the area.
'If we see a complete, comprehensive and verifiable withdrawal, NATO would welcome it. This would be a step in the right direction from Russia,' the official told VOA, adding that NATO will continue to closely monitor the situation and 'update our assessment as we see significant changes in the location and posture of Russian troops.'
U.S. and NATO officials have repeatedly urged Russia to withdraw its troops, saying their presence is raising tensions. There are also reports that fighters are crossing from Russia into Ukraine.
Despite weeks of Kremlin denials, Russia's state-controlled news agency Ria Novosti said 33 of the estimated 50 rebel fighters killed Monday in Donetsk in a battle with Ukrainian troops came from Russia.
The news agency quoted the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic as saying the bodies of the foreigners have been identified and returned to their relatives.
OSCE monitors detained
Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says it has lost contact with another four-person group of monitors in eastern Ukraine. The group was last heard from late Thursday. Rebels have been holding four other OSCE observers since late Monday.
Gabe Joselow contributed to this report from Kyiv, Ukraine, and Jeff Seldin contributed from the Pentagon.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
