MOSCOW, May 7 (RIA Novosti) – A battle between Ukrainian militants and pro-federalization activists has begun on the outskirts of Slaviansk, the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reported on Wednesday.
“According to the Information Resistance group’s data, a combat action is taking place on the outskirts of Slaviansk,” said Dmitry Tymchuk, the head of the Kiev-based Center of Military and Political Research.
According to reports, a group of people attempted to escape the eastern city early in the morning but failed. No losses have been reported on the Ukrainian side, Tymchuk told UNIAN. There has been no information on the federalists’ losses.
Ukrainian militants have been conducting special operations aimed at suppressing the movement of pro-federalization activists in the southeastern part of the country. The federalists do not recognize the legitimacy of Kiev’s interim government and demand that the rioting regions of Donbass, including Donetsk, Slaviansk and Kramatorsk, as well as Luhansk, hold referendums to let people decide on the status of their regions.
Deadly clashes between pro-federalization supporters and Ukrainian security forces have raged across the country’s east and south the past weekend, killing dozens and injuring hundreds.
Local media reported on Tuesday that the Ukrainian army had deployed rocket artillery systems near the city of Slaviansk in preparation for an imminent attack on pockets of resistance held by pro-federalization activists.
Ukrainian militants began an offensive against federalists in Slaviansk late Tuesday night, according to media.
