In a statement published on the Verkhovna Rada website, Ukraine’s interim president and Verkhovna Rada speaker, Oleksandr Turchynov, said Russia is coordinating the disorder and violence in Ukraine's eastern regions. "This is not a war between Ukrainians,” Turchynov said on April 13.
“Today’s Palm Sunday celebrations were marred by aggression and blood. The terrorist troops coordinated by the Russian Federation seized a number of the government buildings in several cities of Donetsk Oblast,” Turchynov said.
He said the situation was “especially dangerous” in Sloviansk where trained criminals, dressed in camouflage and armed with Russian guns, were working.
“This morning they opened fire in Sloviansk, hiding behind a live shield of local people, deceived by Russian propaganda,” reads the Turchynov statement.
“During this operation, Russian special forces killed Gennady Bilichenko, Alfa special police force captain; also Colonel Kuznetsov, Security Service official Kuksa and policeman Selihov were wounded.”
Turchynov said Russia is to blame for the bloodshed.
“The aggressor won’t stop and continues to organize unrest in the east,” Turchynov said.
He said the National Security and Defense Council has decided to launch a large-scale anti-terrorist operation involving the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“We won’t let Russia replay the Crimea scenario in eastern Ukraine,” he said.
Turchynov also said Pro-Russian protesters who disarm by April 13 and leave occupied buildings will not be prosecuted.
“I call on all citizens in the east of our country – do not serve as tools in a foreign war against our own country. Do not support those who want to destroy the peace and who push your region into the abyss of economic disaster, the abyss of civil conflict.” Turchynov said. “I appeal to every Ukrainian: we must unite in the face of foreign aggression.”
Kyiv Post staff writer Olena Goncharova can be reached at [email protected]
