KIEV, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - Several people have been wounded during the shootout between the people’s militia and Kiev-backed forces near Luhansk, Ukrainian border guard reported early Monday.
"There is no help either from the armed forces or from other law enforcement agencies. Border guards are among those wounded," Ukrainian Border Guard Service said.
The shootout has been underway since 5:00 am MSK (1:00 am GMT). People’s militia has been struggling to gain control of the Ukrainian border service military base.
Small arms and grenade launchers have been used during the skirmish. A fighter jet of the Ukrainian Army has also been seen flying over the city early morning. At least one militiaman was killed.
The Luhansk and Donetsk people’s republics declared themselves independent states following the May 11 referendum.
The interim Kiev government, backed by the Western allies, refused to recognize the legitimacy of these decisions and continued the special operation launched mid-April against the local protesters in the regions.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned the new Kiev authorities for what it called "a punitive operation" and stressed the need for de-escalation of the Ukrainian crisis.
