DONETSK, May 22 (RIA Novosti) – The Ukrainian army continues to gather forces near Slaviansk and is evidently planning to storm the city, leader of the Slaviansk self-defense forces Igor Strelkov told RIA Novosti Thursday.
"More than 100 armored personnel carriers, trucks and other vehicles arrived yesterday there [to the armed forces near Slaviansk]. About a hundred Right Sector militants arrived in Andreyevka as well, carrying banners and not even trying to hide. The assault is apparently inevitable. Perhaps, they would crush us, after all, might goes before right,” Strelkov said, citing a reconnaissance report.
The balance of forces is 20 times in favor of the Kiev-led militants, the leader of the self-defense forces noted. The Ukrainian armed forces have about 250 armored vehicles at their disposal, according to Strelkov. Yesterday, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov came in person to inspect the forces deployed near Slaviansk.
The Kiev authorities are using forces partly formed from Ukrainian military units and partly from the radical elements of the National Guard. The troops are carrying out a special operation in eastern Ukraine to suppress the protest movement that emerged in response to a February coup.
The cities of Slaviansk and Kramatorsk in the north of the Donetsk region have been faced with the most intense confrontation with the Ukrainian military. Several dozen private houses in Slaviansk, especially in the suburbs of Andreyevka and Sergeyevka, have already been destroyed by the artillery attacks. Locals are hiding in the basements of their homes and several dozen people have already been injured. Evacuation measures are currently hindered by a rail and road blockade of the city. Residents have resorted to leaving on foot.
People's Mayor of Slaviansk Vyacheslav Ponomarev has offered to begin evacuating all children remaining in the city to nearby medical centers.
