KIEV, July 10 (RIA Novosti) – Ukrainian troops control 13 out of 18 districts of the Donetsk region and 10 out of 18 regions of Luhansk region, the National Security and Defense Council’s press service announced Thursday, citing the organization’s secretary Andriy Parubiy.
“Today, Ukrainian troops control 13 out of 18 districts of the Donetsk region and 10 out of 18 districts of Luhansk region,” Parubiy was quoted as saying.
Territory controlled by the independence forces diminished over the past week, the press service reported.
Earlier Saturday Ukrainian troops said they took over Slaviansk and Kramatorsk, which were abandoned by independence supporters who had to retreat in the direction of Donetsk and Luhansk. Deputy head of the Ukrainian Border Guard Service Mykhailo Koval stated that Ukraine’s special services are planning to set up a complete blockade of Donetsk and Luhansk in order to force independence supporters to lay down their arms.
Kiev’s authorities launched a military operation in southeast Ukraine mid-April. Moscow had condemned the move, which led to numerous casualties, calling it a punitive act and urging Kiev to stop the bloodshed.
