DONETSK, July 11 (RIA Novosti) – Self-defense forces from the People’s Republic of Donetsk continued their offensive on Donetsk Airport during the night, a representative of the headquarters of the independence supporters told RIA Novosti Friday.
Local citizens confirmed they heard blasts and machine gun fire and had seen rockets near the Donetsk Airport, which is controlled by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier Thursday the head of Donetsk’s self-defense forces Igor Strelkov said at a briefing that he ordered an artillery attack on the airport. According to him, “There was no command to seize the airport.”
According to independence supporters, government troops suffered losses but the exact number of victims is unknown.
The Donetsk mayor’s office warned residents living near the railway station “not no come close to the windows, balconies, refrain from leaving apartments and houses.” Car owners were recommended “to limit their presence in the area and search for alternative paths in advance.”
On Thursday, the Ukrainian Army announced it controlled two-thirds of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Last Saturday government 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.
