Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko visits the headquarters of anti-terrorist operation near Izyum, Kharkiv Oblast, and finalizes the plan of the military offensive actions of the Ukraine's army on July 8.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the nation's commander-in-chief, arrived on July 8 to the main army camp near Izium in Kharkiv Oblast to hail soldiers for liberating Sloviansk in neighboring Donetsk Oblast from Russian-backed separatists. Poroshenko exhorted the fighting force to keep up the pressure to rout the armed insurgents from Ukraine.
Sloviansk was a stronghold of separatists for almost three months before they fled on July 5, escaping along the fields and forests after the Ukrainian army besieged them and cut off the supplies of arms and newcomers. Most of the insurgents retreated to Donetsk, the provincial capital of 1 million people, which is now the new target for liberation by Ukraine’s armed forces.
"All of Ukraine is proud of you,” Poroshenko told to some 500 soldiers standing in line. “The spirit for fight that you demonstrated after June 30 shows that those, who don’t hear calls for peace will be forced to put down their arms."
Several dozen servicemen received awards from the president for bravery in the battle to liberate Sloviansk.
Several dozen servicemen received awards from the president for bravery in the battle to liberate Sloviansk. But many military decorations wait for their owners, who are now healing their wounds at hospitals in Kharkiv and other cities.
Since the beginning of anti-terrorist operation against separatists in April, 165 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 420 wounded, according to official statistics. Poroshenko said the army commanders have already finalized the precise plans for the next four days on how they plan to attack terrorists in Donetsk, and so decided to move army headquarters closer to to the place of warfare. But he refused to disclose the details of the assault.
“There will be no street fights in Donetsk,” Poroshenko only said. Previously he also promised that there will be no bombing of Donetsk.
Vladyslav Seleznev, spokesman of the anti-terrorist operation, told the Kyiv Post that the army is going to precisely target the shelling of rebels’ bases.
Poroshenko, who came to the soldiers after visiting of Sloviansk, said most residents thanked the Ukrainian army for freeing of their city of 120,000 people from terrorists.
“The first priority for the Ukrainian authorities today is restoration of the city of Sloviansk – (that is fixing of) water, electricity, food access,” he said.
(At early morning on July 9, Slavyansk electricity and water supplies network has been fixed, and city started to recive regular portions of electricity and water).
Being asked by the Kyiv Post whether he is concerned about more direct Russian military involvement into the conflict, Poroshenko said he hoped the diplomatic efforts will help bring peace to Ukraine.
“Ukraine is conducting efficient consultations on the level of foreign affairs ministers about a ceasefire, about the non-involvement of Russia, about the closing of the border, about the guaranteeing of ceasefire with help from" the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, he said.
Soldiers applaud to the President Poroshenko's address and remarks given
“But if we want peace, Ukraine should be strong. If we want to be taken into account, then our armed forces have to be fast, strong and efficient. Then it is easier to hold peace talks."
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