Large explosions rock Ukraine's strategic port city of Mariupol
Iran Press TV
Thu Sep 4, 2014 3:46PM GMT
Massive explosions have reportedly rocked the countryside of Ukraine's port city of Mariupol amid fierce fighting between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia forces.
On Tuesday, witnesses said strong blasts took place in Mariupol and fighting broke out in the strategic Ukrainian city, with the Ukrainian army being on high alert near the restive area.
The new spike in tensions comes as representatives from Kiev, Moscow, pro-Russians and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are slated to attend a peace meeting in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on Friday.
Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said a ceasefire deal proposed by Russia aimed at putting an end to months of conflict in the east would be signed on Friday.
"Tomorrow in Minsk a document will be signed providing for the gradual introduction of the Ukrainian peace plan," the Ukrainian president said on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Wales.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday unveiled a seven-point peace plan that calls for the end "of active offensive operations by the (Ukrainian) armed forces" and pro-Russia forces "in the southeast of Ukraine."
The roadmap raises hopes of an end to the months-long fighting, which has left more than 2,600 people dead.
Ukraine's mainly Russian-speaking regions in the east have witnessed deadly clashes between pro-Moscow forces and the Ukrainian army since Kiev launched military operations to silence the pro-Russians there in mid-April.
MKA/HSN
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