Ukraine Steps Up Offensive in Donbass, Continues to Kill and Injure Civilians
Another military operation has started in Donbass. Members of the DPR military reported today that they managed to prevent Ukrainian troops from breaking through to Gorlovka. According to them, the attacks left 18 servicemen from Kiev killed and 20 injured. Over 100 missiles and shells were fired at the Gorlovka area. This is not just mere provocation. Kiev is on the offensive, a fact that was confirmed by the Ukrainian media. A source in Kiev's forces reported on Kiev's plans to take over strategic positions around Gorlovka, located in the so-called gray zone. This is not a formal offensive, but Kiev may be able to secure control of the city in order to gain a foothold towards Debaltsevo and tighten the grip over Donetsk. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Poroshenko was pleased to see the first launch of Javelin anti-tank missiles provided by the American government.
Our war correspondent reports on the situation in Donbass.
Gorlovka is at the thick of it. For two weeks, it has been under attack by Ukrainian artillery. Dozens of houses have been destroyed. Civilians have been killed and wounded. Here's some footage taken by Patrick Lancaster, an American. He was filming in Gorlovka when gunfire erupted.
Patrick Lancaster: "We just arrived at a Gorlovka address where 4 people were supposedly injured and you can still hear the gunfire around the neighborhood".
"Get down, get down!"
"It's not a joke, it's an artillery attack".
"It flew over our heads, it was horrifying".
"That person's leg was wounded. Another one can't hear anything anymore".
- Here's the damage.
- Did this happen today?
- Yes, today. I have a bandage over it. There was an ambulance
Patrick Lancaster: "Yesterday, I was in the area of Kurganka in Gorlovka and saw the aftermath of the morning artillery attack. I talked to a number of witnesses and saw a house get hit by a missile. Four people were injured".
– Hello.
– Hello.
– I'm a correspondent. What troops started the fire?
– Ukrainians, Ukrainian troops! Who else would do such a thing? Does Kurganka have any troops? Have you seen any?
– No, I haven't.
– Then why are they attacking civilians?
Today, Ukrainian military officials announced their plan: Allegedly, they're planning to take control over strategic positions around Gorlovka. They claim they won't cease fire until DPR troops leave the city, so they can "tighten the noose around Donetsk's neck," as they said.
Aleksandr Zakharchenko, Prime Minister of the Donetsk People's Republic: "If their plan goes smoothly, they will cut off Lugansk from Donetsk. To be honest, that's what we're waiting for. Then we'll have a legitimate reason to destroy our enemy — since they're the aggressor."
Eduard Basurin, DPR Defense Ministry spokesman: "We've destroyed an IFV and an American tracking station they used to direct gunfire."
Meanwhile, the LPR is looking for the people who blew up a road bridge near Krasnyi Luch. An 18 kg explosive was planted by saboteurs. The bridge fell onto a railway track. The facilities are currently being repaired.
Alexander Sladkov, Pavel Vydrin, Igor Uklein, Oleg Bondarenko, Andrey Rudenko, Vesti, Donetsk