You're reading: Ukraine military says fortifications to be built for Mariupol by May 9

The bulk of the work to build fortifications for Mariupol is to be finished before May 9, Sector M Deputy Commander Serhiy Maslenko said.

“Intensive work is underway to build new fortification systems for the city. All the necessary means and personnel are being used, including builders from Odesa and Volyn regions, and from Mariupol construction organizations,” Maslenko said, according to the city website.

He said illegal armed formations of the self-declared Donetsk republic continue violating the ceasefire agreement, opening fire at Ukrainian positions.

Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov earlier criticized the slow pace of fortification construction in the military operation zone in southeastern Ukraine.

“The pace of construction is unsatisfactory,” he said.

The forces opposing the Ukrainian military “can launch a new wave of intense military operations at any moment,” he said. “We must be ready to counter them,” Turchynov said.