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Developments in eastern Ukraine

East-Ukrainian self-defense forces get control over military base in Donetsk

No data on either killed or wounded has been reported from the site of the incident

© ITAR-TASS/EPA/PHOTOMIG

DONETSK, June 26. /ITAR-TASS/. Self-defense forces of the unrecognized Donetsk People’s Republic have gained control over a base of the Interior troops located in downtown Donetsk.

“The military received an order from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry in the morning to begin active actions against representatives of the Donetsk People’s Republic,” the press service of the DPR told Itar-Tass.

Servicemen of the Vostok battalion arrived for talks with the pro-government servicemen and an exchange of fire began.

“The military base is located at 116, Shchorsa Street,” the press service said. “The exchange of fire has stopped and the compound is under the self-defense forces control.”

Eyewitnesses said that intense fire from automatic rifles broke out shortly after 18:00 hours local time (15:00 hours GMT). Road police units sealed off the nearby streets and did not let either private cars or public transport there.

No data on either killed or wounded has been reported from the site of the incident.

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