As Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called for a halt to military action in eastern Ukraine, separatists from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reportedly headed to Donetsk to provide reinforcements.
"Our troops have already been sent to Donetsk and Slovyansk. We are not only helping with equipment, but also with people," the head of the Luhansk republic, Valery Bolotov, told journalists on Tuesday, Rambler.ru reported.
Heavy fighting erupted in Donetsk late Monday, as pro-Russian separatists engaged in a shootout with Ukrainian troops at the city's airport.
Alexander Lyukyanchenko, the self-proclaimed mayor of Donetsk, said 40 people had been killed in Monday's violence, including two civilians, regional news outlet OstroV reported Tuesday.
The clashes did not go unnoticed by Russian leaders, with both Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commenting on the intensified violence on Tuesday.
In a telephone conversation with Italy's prime minister, Putin stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to a transcript posted on the Kremlin's website.
Lavrov told journalists at a news conference that the "number one task" of the authorities in Kiev should be "an immediate halt of military action against the population," Interfax reported.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
