You're reading: Update: Two blasts reported in Donbas

Two explosions occurred in the town of Makiivka in Ukraine's Donetsk region on Jan. 20, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Ihor Diomin.

The first blast took place outside the office building of the state owned coal enterprise Makiivvuhillia at 5:19 a.m., and the second explosion occurred about the same time near the Golden Plaza shopping mall.

Quoting members of Makivvuhillia trade union, media reported that one of the bombs was placed in a rubbish bin adjacent to the 7-story coal enterprise building. The blast damaged the entrance to the office and blew out building windows. There have been no reports of casualties or injuiries.

Police have cordoned off the site and started an investigation.

In what could be a related story, Interfax-Ukraine on Jan. 20 reported that government auditors have been obstructed from looking into allegations of abuse of office at Makiivvuhillia.

Three small bombs went off in October next to government buildings in another Ukrainian city of Kirovograd, hours before a visit by President Viktor Yanukovych.

The blasts shattered several windows in one of the buildings but did not cause any injuries. The police called the incident acts of hooliganism.

Unidentified hooligans used explosives to blow up a bust of Joseph Stalin in the city of Zaporizhia on Dec. 31.