You're reading: Mariupol ‘militia’ loses five men in combat

Donetsk -- "Militia" has reported losses sustained in the Ukrainian anti-terrorist operation in Mariupol, Ukraine's Donetsk region.

“The city center has been cordoned off by the National Guard. The fighting is in progress on Hretska Street. The Azov battalion is attacking our positions. We have lost five men,” the Mariupol “militia” staff told Interfax.

“Militia” said they had returned the National Guard fire with mortar shelling. Windows were shattered in residential buildings on Hretska Street. Civilians are hiding in basements.

Earlier Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced the beginning of an active phase of the Mariupol operation. He said the operation started at 4.50 a.m. on June 13. The minister also said two Ukrainian law enforcers had been injured.