Today, Jan. 19, the leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) Alexander Zakharchenko made an urgent statement on ceasefire violations by Ukraine:
“I can say with confidence that all the attempts by Ukrainian troops to retake the airport, to take revenge for the defeat we inflicted on them in the past year, have failed. The Ukrainian army suffered enormous losses. In two days the terminal was subject to more than six attacks by infantry and armored vehicles. All of them failed. Also, an attempted breakthrough by Ukrainian troops into the city of Donetsk was defeated. Unfortunately, the Putilov Bridge was blown up. The whole column which attempted the breakthrough was destroyed. Three tankmen were taken prisoner.
“Ukraine used the ceasefire to arm itself, to create a coherent unit able to carry out combat missions. Now we see clearly that Ukraine violated the truce and attacked. We have not previously experienced artillery strikes such as we have seen in the last two days. Ukraine attacks homes and kills civilians: children, the elderly, women. It carries out aerial bombings. Last night, Ukraine bombed Gorlovka. The representative of the Coordination Center came under fire. Splinters were even flying near the OSCE mission in Donetsk.
“We are peaceful people and do not want war, do not want to kill anyone. However, the armed forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic can capably respond to all the machinations of the enemy. As a result, a counter-offensive has already started with fighting on the outskirts of Avdeevka. Yesterday the village of Sands (Piski) twice passed from hand to hand. Today we will finish the “clean up” operation. I can say that patriotism among the population has risen significantly.
“Once again I want to appeal to the international community and the OSCE: if you want a ceasefire, as we do, then make Kiev respect the Minsk agreement.”
Translation by Greg Butterfield
Red Star News + Translations 