You're reading: Avakov: First Ukrainian troops broke out of militants’ encirclement in Ilovaisk (UPDATED)

First team of the Ukrainian soldiers involved in the military operation on east of the country have broken out of encirclement in Ilovaisk. 

“Out first troops that based in Ilovaisk broke out of encirclement forward the foothold of the National Guard’s brigade in the town of Komsomolske. Altogether there are 28 persons from battalions of Interior Ministry ‘Peacemaker’ (14), ‘Kherson’ (3) and ‘Dnipro’ (11). It was good idea to hold the border the whole night! We’re waiting for other guys,” the Interior Ministry’s press service quoted minister Arsen Avakov as saying on Saturday. 

According to morning reports, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reached an agreement with the militants to break out encircled Donbas battalion soldiers and other military in Ilovaisk, the press service of Donbas volunteer battalion reported.

Prior the militants presented ATO forces trapped in Ilovaisk with an ultimatum to lay down arms by 0600 a.m. on Saturday morning. If not the militants threatened to start shelling them with Grad rocket launchers.