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Kiev continues shelling, cuts off chances for peace talks — Luhansk republic leader

Uragan and Smerch multiple rocket launchers are used in shelling of the settlements of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic

LUHANSK, January 23. /TASS/. By continuing shelling the territories of the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk republics, Kiev has cut off the possibilities for holding any peace talks, the head of LPR Igor Plotnitsky said on Friday.

“The settlements of Luhansk People’s Republic are subjected to the cruelest shelling. Peaceful citizens die and the towns’ infrastructure is destroyed. They use Uragan, Smerch [multiple rocket systems] and heavy artillery against us,” he said.

Plotnitsky said Kiev and personally President Petro Poroshenko bear full responsibility for the resumption of the armed actions.

“For us, it has always been a priority to preserve the lives of our citizens and protect their interests. Kiev’s actions principally differ from its statements,” Plotnitsky said.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Yuri Biryukov said earlier that the Ukrainian military received orders to open massive fire on the positions of the militias in the military operation zone in the country's east.